🍣 A Relaxing Lunch at Hama Sushi
Before heading out for some afternoon shopping, we had lunch at “Hama Sushi,” which is right near our house. We ordered using a touchscreen, and the restaurant features a “non-rotating conveyor belt” style where the sushi comes down the lane. It’s a bit cheaper on weekdays and close to home, so we often go there when I take my mom out.
My mom always says, “I want to try a variety of things, but I can’t eat a lot,” so at first, I share the plates I ordered with her, giving her about 5 or 6 pieces. She seemed satisfied after eating the chawanmushi, so from there I ordered additional items I wanted, and we finished with kitsune udon and coffee. The total for the two of us was about 2,500 yen (including the senior discount). It’s always around this price, and the portion sizes are just right for my mom to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed.
🛍️Shopping for Daily Necessities at Urasoe Ryubo Store
After lunch, we headed to the Ryubo Store in Urasoe. At “Sankimaru-A” on the F2 floor, my mom restocked her everyday essentials like underwear, socks, and handkerchiefs. Watching her walk around the store for about 30 minutes, putting items she liked into her basket, I could see that her expression brightened whenever she was feeling well. I was relieved to see she was able to shop without overexerting herself.
🚗Buying Island Vegetables at Kugani Market in Haebaru Town
We then drove over to the farmers’ market “Kugani Market” in Haebaru Town. The crowd was just right—not too crowded and not too sparse—creating a relaxed atmosphere for shopping. We bought edamame, island garlic, bananas, and sata andagi.
I’ll soak the island garlic in awamori later to make “hiru-zake.” In Okinawa, this was traditionally drunk as a cold remedy; “hiru” is an old word for garlic. While we have medicine now, this is a cultural practice that remains as part of our traditional wisdom. Encountering these uniquely Okinawan customs brings small discoveries even in everyday life.
🥚 Stocking Up on Groceries at San-A Near the Naha Interchange
On the way back, we passed by the Naha Interchange and headed to Kyozuka San-A. My mother pushed the cart as we walked through the store, restocking the groceries we were running low on. What caught my attention was the price of eggs. There were no special sales, and a pack cost over 330 yen. Upon checking, I found out that prices are skyrocketing nationwide due to the impact of avian influenza. It looks like we’ll have to rethink our breakfast menu a bit.
🌺 Today’s Recap and Mom’s Health
Today was a relaxing day spent with my mother, from lunch to shopping to a drive through the southern part of the island. Although she had many days last week when she wasn’t feeling well, she seemed to be able to move around comfortably today without straining herself. After returning home, she took a nap for about an hour and seemed pleasantly tired. Being able to spend time together peacefully like this was the greatest reward of all. While her health fluctuates from day to day, on days when she’s able to get around, going out like this for a change of pace is definitely the best.
This lightweight foldable shopping cart is perfect for seniors and caregivers. It’s easy to push, stable on small bumps, and folds compactly to fit in the car. Ideal for grocery shopping, farmers markets, or short outings. It really helps reduce the strain of carrying heavy bags and makes daily errands much more comfortable.
These extra‑thick bathing wipes are great for quick refreshment during outings or after shopping. They’re gentle on the skin, fragrance‑light, and large enough to clean comfortably. Perfect for seniors who need a simple and convenient way to stay fresh while on the go. Keeping a pack in your bag adds a nice sense of security during daily activities.
