Other highlights for the team were attending traditional Okinawan cultural shows and watching Uechi ryu demonstrations by Kiyohide Shinjo.

They also developed a keen taste for Okinawa soba (noodles) which are very popular, cold "Orion" beer and awamori (an alcoholic  beverage indigenous to and unique to Okinawa.)

Shihan Kevin Plaisted led a Kiwi contingent to Okinawa in April 2001. Two weeks of expert karate training, experiencing a different and unique culture and generous hospitality. This was an opportunity not to be missed by Matsubayashi ryu club members Tim Herlihy, Bill Westphal and Dan Suji. Training twice a day at Kodokan Taira dojo the New Zealanders worked on and fine tuned many areas of their kihon, kata and kobudo under the guidance of Kancho Yoshitaka Taira, Shihandai Nobuhide Higa and other senior Urasoe dojo members.

In the heat of Okinawa the Kiwis lost much sweat but gained a better understanding and appreciation of "koshi", delivery of technique and relaxation.