Okinawa's famous ice cream brand, Blue Seal, is almost a staple you encounter at every tourist attraction. Whether it's on Kokusai-dori, at seaside rest stops, or even in department stores, you can see their blue and white sign everywhere. I always thought, "Isn't ice cream all the same?" so I didn't plan to try it during my entire trip to Okinawa.

Unexpectedly, I found a Blue Seal kiosk while preparing to leave at the airport. I thought since I'm about to leave Japan anyway, I might as well give it a try, and so I decided to stop by right at the boarding gate.

I ordered a scoop of "Blue Wave," topped with a swirl of "purple sweet potato soft serve." Blue Wave is probably their classic soda ice cream combined with pineapple flavor; it has a nice balance, smooth texture without being overly sweet, and the pineapple flavor isn’t too strong, making it surprisingly more delicate than I expected. The purple sweet potato soft serve is sweet but fragrant, showcasing the natural flavor of the sweet potato, and it’s not cloying at all. Plus, it looks stunning, perfect for taking photos.

Although Blue Seal is very touristy and popular, their ice cream genuinely has quality. Next time I come to Okinawa, I believe I'll visit again—not just for the photo opportunity, but because I really want to enjoy it.