I've been to Okinawa many times.
The very first time I headed to Okinawa, it was from Takeshiba Pier, a round trip of two days by boat.
It took 48 hours to head towards Okinawa.
Gradually getting used to the swaying of the boat, the charm of a boat trip became apparent as well.
Especially from Kagoshima to Okinawa, watching the small islands pass by, or perhaps observing seagulls
(though they're apparently not called that) effortlessly soaring through the sky, as the boat steadily moved southwards, feeling the tropical breeze on my skin, until finally, the boat arrived at Naha Pier. That was my first, elegant boat journey to Okinawa.
The second time, I took the Shinkansen to Fukuoka and from Hakata Pier, I spent a day heading towards Okinawa.
The third time, I tried going by plane both ways.
The journey from Haneda, less than three hours to Okinawa, felt somewhat bland. However,
I understand that when there's simply not enough leisure time, this is the only option.
Choosing how to travel is a personal choice, and that's fine as it is.
Why do people travel?
To enjoy time away from the everyday.
To see places different from the usual.
To have brief encounters with people you wouldn't meet in your daily life.
Perhaps, travel is just the right spice for one's modest life.