The local brew of choice is awamori 泡ç, a notoriously strong rice liquor that can contain up to 60% alcohol. Unlike Japanese shochu, which is usually prepared from potatoes or barley, awamori is brewed using imported Thai jasmine rice since during the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, short-grain rice could not be brought in from the mainland.
Awamori keeps well, and when stored more than three years is known as kÅ«su å¤é , also read koshu in standard Japanese. If the label indicates a specific age, it's 100% at least that old; however, kÅ«su without a given age is usually a blend of 50% 3-year-old and 50% new awamori.
Okinawa's local beer Orion is a safer alternative, at least in small quantities. Most larger islands also have their own microbreweries.
nightlife
Naha has the busy nightlife scene you'd expect of a large city, livened up by the presence of many GIs from the military bases.
Okinawa has many live houses in Naha city and Okinawa city, with styles ranging from Okinawan traditional folk music to American rock, jazz and other sounds from the USA. The charge depends on the artist but itâs usually about ¥1000-3500, plus one drink. Check the time, the artist, and the price before you go.