Okinawa Hai!

CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH PHILLIPS Stationary, kitchen supplies, educational toys, purses, seasonal decorations, health & beauty supplies. Tokyu Hands has them all (and more)! Tokyu Hands is located in one of the newest San-A buildings to open: San A Convention City in Ginowan. It is on the 1st floor and takes up a large portion of [...]

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Recycle Store Exterior CONTRIBUTED BY STEPHANIE MONROE I’ve been on Okinawa about a year now, and since our arrival I’ve been lamenting the loss of one of my favorite activities: shopping the neighborhood thrift stores. Back in the states thrift stores are one of my regular stops to find unique, antique, or bargain priced items. [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY ANGI BRZYCKI Barclay Exterior Truthfully, I am not really a fan of strip malls with the exception of Barclay’s court in Urasoe City.  For one, the Starbucks opens at 6:50 am compared to a lot of the other Starbucks in Okinawa that open at 9 am. The only drawback is that they do [...]

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Bokunen Exterior 2 CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN SCHALK For me, moving to Okinawa has been, for a variety of reasons, both a wonderful opportunity as well as a tremendous challenge. I have studied and loved art for many years and left behind a support group of fellow artists in the states. “Art doesn’t happen in a [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY CASSANDRA ABEL DIY Sign If you have ever driven south on 58 towards Naha or live on Kinser I’m sure you have see this store before and wondered what it is. I visited it recently and it is one of my new favorite stores. DIY Storage This Do-it-yourself store has everything from hardware [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY KHURSTEN CORNWALL Chikyu Exterior If you’re looking for a last minute gift, something unique and worldly, quaint and cute, or just a great thing to do on a Saturday afternoon, I’ve got a treasure for you! Last week a friend of mine called me up and invited me to join her on a [...]

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We aren’t certain we are getting this info to you in time!  But on the off chance that some stores are still offering these, we are adding it now.  We will be sure to re-post it late in December again… CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH PHILLIPS Fukuburo Toys R Us Since childhood I’ve loved the excitement and [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN SCHALK rakuten purchasesII As holiday season approaches, time, patience, and energy are all beginning to run short, while social commitments and gift lists increase with each passing day. For those of you who have already completed your holiday purchases, congratulations! Obviously you are very good at planning ahead, or you secretly harbor [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN Perhaps you’ve seen it while strolling along Kokusai Street, the large, colourful letters adorning the side of the building, screaming “OPA”!! But have you ventured inside this huge shopping mall, investigating the world of Japanese fashion and accessories? The window shopping is a cultural experience and it is an ideal place [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN SCHALK Koza Gate Pottery In my case, finding Koza Gate Apartment, a combined boutique and art gallery, could be best described as a happy accident. Earlier this summer, I had agreed to meet my friend and Japanese teacher there for a private lesson and good conversation. As with many storefronts in Okinawa, [...]

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