okinawa hai!

This post was originally published on December 31, 2010.  We’re pulling it out of the archives for those of you who are looking for a fun evening activity that can help you keep the holiday spirit going for a little while longer.  This display will be available until February 14th. CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN HOOSER I [...]

Read the full story

CONTRIBUTED BY ANGI BRZYCKI Sakura Zaka Exterior The Sakura Zaka 桜坂劇場 is one of my favorite places to go to in Naha. The movie theater shows mainly independent Japanese, American, and foreign films. The screening rooms are fairly small, similar to an old theater house. Most of the films are hard to find at the [...]

Read the full story

CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA RODRIGUEZ Crocs Crab A delicious restaurant in American Village, Crocodile’s is easily one of the best places that I have eaten on while on Okinawa. Its atmosphere is fun, cool, and romantic for those who are looking for it. Their menu (surf and turf) offers delicious choices such as fried crocodile, fresh [...]

Read the full story

CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES Wrestling 3 One-two-three! Ding-ding-ding-ding!!! I remember being in intermediate school, saving up my lunch money to buy wrestling magazines and praying that we didn’t have to do family things on days when I had to watch wrestling. The guys in my class loved my magazines and were amazed at how much [...]

Read the full story

Hinoe Interior View CONTRIBUTED BY KAYLIE GROENHOUT During May when the rainy season was in full effect, it was easy to get into a funk around the island. My adventuresome side isn’t the only thing that becomes stagnant when the rain rolls in – my dining habits do, too. It’s easy to say, “I don’t [...]

Read the full story

 CONTRIBUTED BY CHRISTOPHER ANDREWS If looking for a place to throw some darts or play some pool, there is a great bar that recently opened up in Uruma City, near Camp Courtney, on Route 329.  The River-Rock opened in mid-April 2011 by a very friendly Japanese fellow, Ichiro Ohama.  These games translate around the world, [...]

Read the full story

CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA TIUSECO Bian is an Izakaya, an establishment that serves food to accompany drinks. On a typical weekend the place is packed with wedding guests from the local NBC Building. While there is a good amount of parking and tables, reservations couldn’t hurt.  We went midweek since they are closed Tuesdays and had no [...]

Read the full story

CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FORTE Karaoke Trivia: •    Karaoke (カラオケ) is a blend of Japanese kara (空) “empty,” and ōkesutora (オーケストラ) “orchestra.” •    Although there is some debate about who invented karaoke, it is generally accepted that it was invented in Japan in the 1970s. Sadly, it was not patented by the inventor who consequently lost out on [...]

Read the full story

CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON Walking around Okinawa City one night, my husband and I wandered into Porky’s. We expected a 50s theme bar, and we were not disappointed.  The small space is decorated like a retro soda fountain with red checkered tablecloths and 50s paraphernalia on the walls. Servers wear baggy mechanics uniforms. Think “Greased [...]

Read the full story

CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES Just when we were about ready to give up looking for this place, we see a corner restaurant with the words “en Okinawa.”  We parked excitedly and started out of the car and practically by the time we set foot on the ground, we were greeted by a man holding a [...]

Read the full story