In Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture, the local specialty "sea grapes" are cultivated.

Sea grapes, which can only be harvested in warm oceans, are characterized by their translucent green color, firm texture, and subtle sweetness.

Sea grapes are a precious ingredient that is hard to find in Honshu. In this article, we will introduce their characteristics, history, and delicious ways to eat them.

What are Okinawa's sea grapes?

Sea grapes are a type of seaweed called "kubirezuta," named after its resemblance to a bunch of grapes. They are characterized by a crunchy texture and a mild seashore scent, and are also called "green caviar" because of their similarity to caviar, one of the world's three great delicacies.

Sea grapes are often thought of as a food that is in season in the summer, but in fact they are in season from autumn to spring, and the bunches begin to grow large at the end of summer when the water temperature starts to drop. In Japan, they only grow in warm areas such as Okinawa and Kagoshima, and are strongly affected by water temperature, salinity, and sunlight.

Additionally, harvesting takes time as each sea grape is picked by hand, and the sea grapes are shipped out in this way and delivered all over Japan.

How sea grapes grow and their history

Sea grapes are grown in nets containing the seaweed, which are then cultivated for approximately 30 to 40 days (60 to 80 days in winter). Once fully grown, the sea grapes are carefully picked one by one and transferred to a curing tank.

In the curing tank, the sea grapes are washed and any wounds repaired, and the water is circulated for about 5 to 7 days, with light adjusted to ensure even exposure. When they are ready to be shipped, they are usually dehydrated and packed.

In 1994, the technology to cultivate sea grapes was established in Onna Village, Okinawa, and since then, sea grapes have been widely cultivated throughout Okinawa. Currently, sea grapes have become an important aquaculture product in Okinawa, second only to mozuku seaweed and kuruma shrimp.

Nutritional value of sea grapes

Sea grapes are so nutritious that they are called "Okinawa's longevity grass (longevity grass)." They contain minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iodine, as well as vitamin A and fucoidan, a type of dietary fiber. Fucoidan is low in calories and can be safely consumed by those who are concerned about beauty and health.

Sea grapes should always be stored at room temperature in their original packaging.
Sea grapes, which have grown in a warm environment, are best kept at temperatures between 20 and 27 degrees, and the bunches will shrivel up if the temperature drops below 15 degrees or rises above 30 degrees. Also, they should generally be stored out of direct sunlight, as this can cause discoloration.

How to eat sea grapes deliciously

The standard way to eat sea grapes is to dip them raw in soy sauce or vinegar and soy sauce.

It can also be served in various combinations with other ingredients, such as in salads, soups, rice bowls, and as a topping for noodles. When eaten alone, it is eaten like sashimi, dipped in dressing.

Be careful not to leave the dressing on, as the grapes will shrink. The popular sea grape rice bowl goes perfectly with seafood such as sea urchin and salmon roe, and sticky ingredients such as mountain yam and natto.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Okinawa

From here, we will introduce some recommended tourist spots in Okinawa Prefecture.

Uminchi

At Kaindo in the southern part of Okinawa's main island, you can enjoy the experience of picking fresh sea grapes.

Along with the tour of the sea grape farm, you can also enjoy soft serve ice cream with sea grapes and try freshly picked sea grapes, making for a very appealing experience. This is a great tourist spot where you can learn more about sea grapes in just one day, so be sure to visit with your family and friends.

Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave

Cape Maeda, located in the central part of Okinawa's main island, is a scenic spot offering a panoramic view of the East China Sea.

Even if you don't swim, you can see the beautiful ocean from the observation deck. At the bottom of the cliffs of Cape Maeda, which is also popular as a place for diving and snorkeling, is the mysterious "Blue Cave." You can have a great time watching the cute tropical fish and coral reefs swimming in the crystal clear water.

There are also many cafes and restaurants around the cape, so you can enjoy some Okinawan cuisine after your experience.

Ryukyu Village

Located in the northern part of the main island, this theme park is packed with the charm of Okinawa.

You can enjoy traditional Okinawan houses and Eisa and other performing arts. In the park, you can enjoy delicious Okinawan cuisine, experience painting shisa, and try on traditional costumes, so it is recommended for first-time visitors to Okinawa.

You can actually enter the old house, which is a nationally registered tangible cultural property, and it is sure to be a rare opportunity to experience life and Ryukyu culture at that time.

Access to Okinawa

To get to Okinawa's main island, it's convenient to take a direct flight to Naha Airport. Even from the distant New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, you can arrive at Naha Airport on Okinawa's main island in about 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Travel times from each area are as follows:

From the Tohoku area to Naha Airport - Approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes from Sendai Airport

From the Kanto area to Naha Airport: Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes from Haneda Airport; Approx. 3 hours from Narita Airport; Approx. 3 hours from Ibaraki Airport

From the Chubu area to Naha Airport: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes from Chubu Centrair International Airport; Approx. 3 hours from Niigata Airport; Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes from Komatsu Airport; Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes from Shizuoka Airport

From the Kinki area to Naha Airport: Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes from Kansai International Airport; Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes from Itami Airport; Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes from Kobe Airport

From the Chugoku area to Naha Airport: Approx. 2 hours from Okayama Airport; Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes from Hiroshima Airport; Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes from Iwakuni Airport

From Shikoku area to Naha Airport: Approx. 2 hours from Takamatsu Airport; Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes from Matsuyama Airport

From Kyushu area to Naha Airport: Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes from Fukuoka Airport; Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes from Kitakyushu Airport; Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes from Kumamoto Airport; Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes from Nagasaki Airport; Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes from Miyazaki Airport; Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes from Kagoshima Airport; Approx. 1 hour from Amami Airport; Approx. 50 minutes from Okinoerabu Airport; Approx. 40 minutes from Yoron Airport.

Location of Okinawa Prefecture

summary

Okinawa's sea grapes are a food that has a popping texture and allows you to taste the minerals and freshness of the sea.

Its refreshing taste makes it a great match for a variety of dishes, and it is popular as an accompaniment to rice bowls, salads, and snacks. Please give this unique Okinawan flavor a try.

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