Ishigaki - Day Two
We went on an all-day snorkeling tour. It was great!
Then, we went to Hitoshi-the best restaurant in Ishigaki!
First, about the snorkeling tour company.
I really recommend the "Snorkeling Expert" Marine Service 'YA-RU YA.' The owner and Captain is a guy named Aoi Hideki. He started this business about 6 years ago. At that time he looked a little younger and fit. He said that his body fat percentage was about 3% at that time. Now, I don't know for sure, so I am guessing, but I think it is about 18%. Still not bad for a guy in his early forties I think. His wife, who is a very sweet lady, helps him out with all aspects of the business. The boat's name is Miss Isana, and is about 35-feet long and a real beauty!!! One staff member, a lady, was also very helpful and friendly.
Now on to the snorkeling. We did to two dives, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Both were excellent, but personally, I prefer the spot in the morning because the coral reef was really beautiful. My wife agreed with me.) In between the two dives we went back to the port for lunch. I know, you are thinking "Soki Soba AGAIN?!" YES!! I can't get enough of Soki Soba when I am in Okinawa. I could eat it every day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Well, actually, that is a bit of an exaggeration. :)
About the other tour members.
It was funny. There were nine participants on the tour in the morning, and nine in the afternoon. In the morning, 7 of the eight members were from the Kansai area. Two were from Osaka, two from Shiga, and two from Nishinomiya(=me and the Mrs.). One guy was from Tokyo and one couple was from somewhere else. I forget where. In the afternoon, the couple not from Kansai left, and a new couple, also from Osaka, joined. So, in the afternoon, 8 of the 9 participants on the tour were from Kansai. It is strange and a big coincidence I think.
If you click below, you can see the Captain's blog and a photo of use after the morning snorkel, plus his story about the "Birthday Surprise!"
Hitoshi- What a great restaurant and what a surprise! After the snorkeling tour, I asked the Captain's wife and two of the "veteran" participants "Do you recommend any good place for dinner?" Almost simultaneously, the three of them said at the same time "Hotoshi!" Then the wife added, "Hitoshi is a must go if you are in Ishigaki. But you need a reservation!" So we looked up the number, and called immediately and made a reservation for 7:30. (But we were 45 minutes late cause I got lost on the way there, and I parked VERY far away from the restaurant...about a 20 minute walk. I am not good at parking the car in tight places, and this spot was very wide, so I took it. But it was far...FYI, from one end of the main eating district of Ishigaki to the other, it is only about 20 minutes...This means that I parked in the farthest possible spot from the restaurant.) Anyway, back to the restaurant. In a nut shell, it was FANTASTIC!! I really can't say enough about it. The food, service, atmosphere...EVERYTHING was the best!! If I have to choose three of the best dishes...it is very difficult to choose, because there are sooooooooo mannnnnnnnny good ones, but here I go: The raw seared bonito with the "special sauce," Goya-Chanpuru (which is eggs and Okinawan tofu and some vegetables are sauteed together), and the "Maguro sushi Set!" And, I almost forgot about the price...very reasonable!! As the Captain's wife said, "IT IS A MUST!" But if you go, don't forget to make a reservation or you will regret it! Cause it is always crowded! (I know cause we went there again on our last night in Ishigaki, and it was packed again.)
There are some photos of some of the dishes at Hitoshi below, but to be honest, I don' think the photos do justice to the place!
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