CONTRIBUTED BY JENNIFER SHUE
Digging through some of the old Okinawa Hai posts, I came across an entry for ETWS. I didn’t even know that it was on Okinawa Hai and I’ve been reading this site regularly for about a year and a half now! But the five sentence review didn't scratch the surface of all the stuff that is in ETWS!
In this store’s three floors, there is a little bit of almost everything decorative, crafty, kitschy, and kitchen-y you could need. Let's say you have a shopping list with items like scrapbooking supplies, chirimen, origami paper, bento box sets (both traditional lacquer and contemporary plastic with cutsey cartoon characters), bath mats, coffee mugs, apron, scented bath sets, vase, silk flowers, wall art, picture frames, wall clock, Ponyo merchandise (or other Studio Ghibli character merchandise), Elmer the Patchwork Elephant towels, cactus toilet scrubber, Christmas in July decorating supplies and costume, photo album, slippers, tabi socks, folding tables, Care Bears, coasters, rubber chicken, etc.
Ok, so maybe you aren’t interested in some of those things. But if you were, you could get all of them at ETWS. And more.
Prices are not bad, depending on the current yen rate... but it does depend on what you buy. On my most recent trip I bought a framed piece of watercolor art for about 3,000Y, a Care Bear for my daughter’s birthday (~1,200Y), and a kitchen towel (between 500 and 600Y) and thought it was a pretty fair deal. I saw a little VW Bus speaker thing that I think you plug an ipod into (my husband is both a Bus nut and an Apple fan, to put it mildly on both counts) but I think that was more like 9,000Y and I found that to be an absurd price. But that’s just me. I even looked at some Skagen watches while in there one time.
Aside from the location in this post, there is also a second location near the big Naha Jusco, south of the airport, on 221 just across from the Akamine stop on the monorail.
Hours: 11:00 AM-12:00 AM
Phone: (098)926-0021
Directions: From Camp Lester - Make a LEFT onto 58. Take a RIGHT at the 2nd light which is also the intersection for 130 and 58 (Castle Bakery will be located on the far right corner). Head straight past the 1st light into the parking lot for ETWS.
I am not sure how I missed the cactus toilet scrubber, but I will go back for it.
Being from AZ it is nice to have a sense of home while cleaning the bathroom. (-:
How do you get to ETWS from Kadena Gate 1?
From Gate 1 Kadena:
Turn left on to 58. Follow 58 past Camp Lester (Naval Hospital). After passing the hospital, start getting into the right lane. You will come to an intersection for 58 and 130 with a stop light. On the right corner will be a tall building that says Blueberry cafe, on your left you will see Camp Foster. Turn right at this light. Go straight and you will see a large building on your right that says ETWS. Enjoy!
@ Lisa,
The post on ETWS now includes a map. Happy shopping!
Sarah from OkinawaHai.com
ETWS is a store that I have fallen in love with since coming to Okinawa in April. I would drive by it often and saw the hours of operation were until midnight!!! Being a Mom of four boys and having a husband in the military, by the time he gets home, everyone is feed, bathed, and ready for bed, most things are closed. After a pretty stressful day, I turned over our four little ones to my husband and told him to enjoy his self while I went out to grab some mental health time. I was so greatful that something was open. After walking in this store I was amazed at the variety, prices, and just sheer volume of items that were contained within the four walls of ETWS!!!! I have been back on several different occasions. It is one of those places that you have to keep visiting because you will never be able to see it all in one go round.
Just an FYI, this store sells drug paraphernalia, we won’t be going back for this reason alone. I thought the prices were high and will stick to the Y100 stores.
Do your research before you post close minded ignorance. There are HEMP inscents and car fresheners, the same ones they have at family mart and Lawson’s. So etsw is a good place.
Did my research 20 years ago. A quick google of this store, location, and some key words reassures me that I am neither close minded or ignorant.
They sell clips and hookahs, but no actual drugs. If they did, it would be on the off limits list.
I never said they sold drugs. I saw pipes and one hitters. I have not been back. Perhaps they are gone?
Why would drug paraphernalia keep you from going back to a store that doesn’t actually sell drugs? The px sell cigarettes and alcohol (both drugs) yet I’m sure you go there.
Nope. There’s nothing about drugs. I checked out every part of the store an online.
@Willam, I wish there were hookahs, I didn’t see any so I assume they don’t carry them anymore. I love how people always think hookahs are for drugs are drug paraphernalia. Haha
Some people enjoy smoking Tobacco from blown glass pipes, and use clips to smoke hand rolled cigarettes to stay away from fiberglass filters and additional chemicals and additives…
Does anyone know if ETWS takes visa or is it yen only?
Nevermind I just called & they said Visa is ok