Sam's Maui - Kokusai Street, Naha, Okinawa

Naha, Japan

Sam's Maui is owned by three brothers, Mark, Wyatt and Alan Payne. The trio moved to Okinawa from their original home in Hawaii when their father Ray's employer, Coca-Cola, relocated the family there.

This is a Teppanyaki restaurant with strong Polynesian decor. There is an elaborate mix of large and small bamboo, tiki masks, pufferfish lamps, float lamps, war clubs and other carvings throughout.

There are seven restaurants in the Sam's chain in Okinawa; all are nautical, and four (including this one) have strong tiki/Polynesian elements. The other three tiki locations are Sam's By The Sea in Awase, Sam's By The Sea in Gushi/Naha and Sam's Maui in Kumoji.