🌧️ Morning Rain and a Hasty Departure
It was a drizzly morning in Naha. The temperature hovered around 22°C, and the high humidity made the air feel heavy and clinging to the skin.
While travelers often think “rainy Okinawa = a letdown,” local life goes on regardless of the weather.
This day marked my first regular checkup in three months. I woke my mother up, skipped breakfast to get ready, and drove through the rain to Dohin Hospital.
The parking lot was full. With no security guard in sight, I ended up parking in a “tricky spot” right up against a utility pole.
It’s a spot I’d normally avoid, but miraculously, the car fit perfectly, giving me a small sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning.
🏥 Making the Rounds at the Hospital
When I headed to the reception desk, a veteran nurse
said, “Let’s schedule Internal Medicine for today as well. We’ll start with a blood draw, then move on to Dermatology and Urology,”
and she set up the schedule for me. The appointments began in a flurry.
👩⚕️ Dermatology
After waiting a bit in the packed waiting room, a nurse from Dermatology carefully checked on my mother’s condition.
During the consultation, a female doctor listened kindly as she spoke,
saying, “This is fine. Let’s keep taking the medication and see how it goes,”
which put my mind at ease.
🧑⚕️ Urology
Our usual doctor was off that day, so the doctor who had treated my father when he was alive stepped in to see us.
When I mentioned that his daytime bathroom visits had increased, we decided to adjust his medication to a slightly stronger dose and monitor the situation.
🩺 Internal Medicine
We went to Internal Medicine after waiting for the blood test results.
Since my mother’s blood pressure was a bit high, they decided to slightly increase her medication.
Next, I had my own checkup, and we decided to switch my medication to reduce the strain on my blood pressure and kidneys.
By the time we left the hospital, it was already 11:30 a.m.
After a long round of appointments starting at 9:00 a.m., both my mother and I were completely exhausted.
💊 Picking Up Medication and Explanation at the Pharmacy
We walked to our usual pharmacy and handed in the prescriptions.
The place was packed, but we managed to find a seat and waited for about 20 minutes.
The pharmacist explained,
“Your medication has changed a bit this time. The reason for the kidney medication is…”
and gave a thorough explanation, which my mother seemed to understand.
We usually chat about everyday things, but since it was so crowded that day, we kept it brief.
🍽️ Lunch at Naha Main Place
For lunch, we went to Naha Main Place.
Even though Golden Week had just ended, the mall was surprisingly crowded.
We went into “Katsunoya,” which was relatively empty, and my mother ordered a tender fillet cutlet while I ordered a loin cutlet.
My mother said, “I want to try yours too,” so we swapped half of our portions.
Even though she couldn’t eat as much as before, her desire to try a variety of foods was still very much alive,
and seeing that put my mind at ease a little.
☕ A Break at Tully’s
After lunch, we walked a short distance in the rain and headed to Tully’s.
I ordered coffee, and for my mother, a “Mascarpone Tiramisu Shake.”
My mother looked delighted with the sweet, cold drink.
We spent a leisurely time there, taking breaks to use the restroom.
🏡 A Quiet Afternoon at Home
When we got home, my mother took a nap right away.
She seemed quite tired from standing, sitting, and moving around so much since morning.
She slept soundly until it was time for sumo, and the day finally settled down.
🌺 Summary | “Life in Okinawa” Revealed on a Rainy Day
When people visit Okinawa as tourists, they often have strong images of blue seas and clear skies, but
local life continues quietly even on rainy days.
The hospital, meals, and walking around town.
None of these are particularly special—they’re just everyday life—but
it was a day that made me feel that the accumulation of these moments is what it means to “live in Okinawa.”
I hope that this authentic experience of spending time in rainy Naha
will inspire travelers to imagine “another side of Okinawa.”
