CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
As I write this out, it is a scorching, hot Okinawan day. The armpits are sweating, there is no breeze whatsoever and when you go out, it feels like you’re in an oven. But today, I'm thinking of a snowier time. Before I go on, let me say: if you’re even thinking of going to Sapporo...
CONTRIBUTED BY INORI HAYASHI
Before I married my husband, my father said, “It is already a miracle when two people from different families live under one roof. Can you imagine how difficult it will be to marry someone from a different country?” he asked me. I am Japanese, and my husband is American. I did not know what I was getting myself...
CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.
The name Ayurveda comes from one of the world's oldest natural whole-body healing systems; it translates to “life-knowledge”. The system is based on a few main points: a healthy mind, body and spirit. Food & herbs are considered a medicine for a healthy life balance.
Ayurveda is located at the Route 330 & Route 20 Goya intersection...
CONTRIBUTED BY CAPTAIN IAN
If you are an adventure seeker, but not exactly a full fledge dare devil, this rock wall is for you! I discovered it while shooting surfing photos on top of a cliff on Miyagi Island.
The best part of this story is my dogs. I needed to somehow scale this 40-foot monster of a wall in front...
CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE BUDZIEN
Are you interested in seeing the Great Wall of China, but you don’t want to pay the hefty Chinese visa fee? There’s a way around it! Michelle, from SemperTravel.com, is sharing the secrets of the 72-hour visa in a five-part series. Today's chapter: Hong Kong
Follow along with her trip here: Part 1, Part 2
Travel Dates: 30...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
If you are an island adventurer like me, you probably have ventured northward along the scenic and lovely Highway 58. Just before you arrive in Nago proper, you will see a brightly lit restaurant off the side of the road with bright blue letters that spell “Colombin.” Now, I know that this stretch of the road...
CONTRIBUTED BY MURIEL COLLINS
There are moments when I am so blown away by this island’s beauty that I say to myself, “I can’t believe I live here." The Forest of Residence Trail led me to one such moment.
A sunny day with lower-than-usual humidity encouraged my husband and me to discover something other than Okinawa’s beaches. We found a trail...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELSEY HUGHES
I stumbled upon The Set Table accidentally when a friend of mine offered me her meal for the week. The meal she ordered: "Sesame Crusted Tuna with Ginger Lime Vinaigrette" sounded good so I readily agreed, even though I had no idea what to expect. I was in for a pleasant surprise. The meal was delicious and...
CONTRIBUTED BY KEVIN "ELVIS" KING
“Nagata-ya,” said the tiny female valet as she tapped the map she was marking for us. We were checking into the ANA Crowne Plaza in Hiroshima and were asking about where to get the savory Japanese pancake for which Hiroshima is so famous: Okonomiyaki.
Our appetites, however, were no match for the oversized okonomiyaki (お好み焼き, pronounced...
CONTRIBUTED BY HALEY MEAGHER
My husband and I were in search of a vacation where we could once again enjoy crisp fall air, scenic woodland views, and possibly a chance to fly fish like we had back in the states. In search of a fishing adventure, I came across a tourist page written and managed by a local named Rocky Osaki (https://www.mazegawa.com/mizube/maze_gb.htm)....
The 2015 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2014. This was November's page.
Nago
Photo credit: Meredith Novario
Meredith Novario Photography Facebook Page
"A hot cup of tea
With sugar cane and kindness
Warms and calms my soul" --Marie Lewis
Tsuboya Pottery Village
Photo credit: Jamie Snider
Jamie Snider Photography
CONTRIBUTED BY THE THIRSTY SHISA
Let’s say it’s Friday night and it’s time to unwind with a few friends and maybe have a beer or two. Oh, and you don’t want to cook. Where do you turn? Simple answer my friends: Kokopelli’s Pizza.
Mike and Etsuko Davison are making delicious wood fired pizza in the yard of their home which not...
CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE BUDZIEN
Are you interested in seeing the Great Wall of China, but you don’t want to pay the hefty Chinese visa fee? There’s a way around it! Michelle, from SemperTravel.com, is sharing the secrets of the 72-hour visa in a five-part series.
Follow along with her trip here: Part 1,
*For all of the latest details, make sure to...
CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE BUDZIEN
Are you interested in seeing the Great Wall of China, but you don’t want to pay the hefty Chinese visa fee? There’s a way around it! It’s called the 72-hour visa. For all of the latest details, make sure to check the Chinese embassy website.
What’s the normal visa process?
As of 2015, according to the Chinese embassy...
CONTRIBUTED BY THE WANDERING WAFFLE HEADS
This place presented itself to us during one of our many "location trips" where we try to find a certain place and again have just managed to get ourselves lost. Driving up in the northern part of Okinawa can be very rewarding, with scenic views and sunsets while you seem to be driving down...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARISSA MATSUZAKI
Nestled just within the entrance of Japan’s Southernmost Zoo is a cylinder shaped building called “The Wonder Museum.” Which might make you wonder: “What kind of museum is that?” Well, it’s a children’s museum with activities that are mostly science/technology-based with some literary and imaginative play stations and it’s all hands-on.
Don’t let the size from the...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELSEY HUGHES
Spending a day with elephants was the only thing my husband insisted we do on our recent trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Since we were going to be there for his birthday, I figured I couldn't say no. So once we booked our plane tickets and hotel, finding out where we could spend "a day with...
CONTRIBUTED BY INORI HAYASHI
“Would you like this for here or to-go?” the Japanese cashier at Taco Bell asked me with a smile. It was just another regular lunch time in Okinawa. Many people use this convenient fast food restaurant, because it is quick, delicious, reasonably priced Mexican food. However, I usually have quite a different experience when using these services...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAUREN GOEKU
One of my favourite things about living in Japan is stumbling upon beautiful shrines and temples while wandering aimlessly through the city streets. There always seems to be one that pops up where you least expect it. I came across Daruma Dera (Daruma Temple) in this way while exploring my new neighbourhood in Naha. Tucked away...
CONTRIBUTED BY KEVIN "ELVIS" KING
Standing at the base of perhaps the most iconic torii in all of Asia, it’s easy to feel the divine dimension which seems to emanate from each and every wooden fiber. The Great “Floating” Torii (Otorii) of Itsukushima, a Shinto Shrine on the island of Miyajima, like all torii, marks the boundary of sacred ground--...
CONTRIBUTED BY THE WANDERING WAFFLE HEADS
Ever wondered what a real crabby patty would be like? No, we're not talking about those burgers made of who knows what in the Spongebob cartoons, we're talking about a whole crab between two burger buns waiting to be devoured. No? Yeah, we never really thought of it either-- until we came across one!
We...
CONTRIBUTED BY JENNIFER GILES
Amelia is a small restaurant on hwy 329 in downtown Ishikawa, next door to “Seasonal Foods of Okinawa,” and on the same street as Ohana Hawaiian restaurant. When you walk into Amelia’s you immediately feel transported to a Mediterranean style café. Bottles of wine, fresh vegetables, cured meat and an elegant espresso machine are on display...
CONTRIBUTED BY KERI CARLSON
Hi, my name is Keri and I'm a ramenaholic. I know, I know, that isn't a well-known addiction but, once a person has eaten ramen as delicious as Hachiren's ramen, it becomes all too real. Hyperbole aside, this ramen is seriously addictive. I don't know what magic they're casting back in the kitchen at Hachiren but...
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH BANCROFT
Are you looking for a new and fun fitness routine? Do you want to learn new skills to include Olympic lifting, kettle bell swings, and gymnastics? Do you want to be a part of a great community of fitness junkies?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then CrossFit Habu may be the place...
CONTRIBUTED BY MORGAN GARCIA
I've been visiting this unique little ramen shop for several years now, and have decided that it is finally time to introduce it to the readers of Okinawa Hai.
The owner, Yasuo, has been in the ramen business for 20 years and his experience shows in the quality of his food. Gajiro Ramen started out in little...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARISSA MATSUZAKI
“Hmmm, Lunch. Where should we go for lunch?” That is always the question when we will be out and about most of the day. On this particular day we were going to the aquarium and with a small baby in tow I thought, “I’ll go for whatever is easiest!”
So I resolved that a quick and easy...
The 2015calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2014. This was October's page.
Photo credit: Meredith Novario
Meredith Novario Photography Facebook Page
"Rumbling scares me
Soba, sushi, Orion
Get in my belly!" --Heather Gelormine
American Village
Photo Credit: Marlow Townes
CONTRIBUTED BY C.S.
If you are a coffee connoisseur, I think you will love this place. There is nothing like a great tasting cup of coffee and the sweet aromas that warm the soul. This place did that and more!
As I entered the cafe I was greeted by a very friendly man who spoke great English and Japanese. I told him how...
Living overseas has its challenges, and a commonly agreed upon one is finding that perfect place to live. To help those of us who are curious about the different options for living on Okinawa, readers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about on-base housing. If you live in an on-base house that has not yet been...
CONTRIBUTED BY MURIEL COLLINS
Who doesn’t love a good donut?! For all of you donut lovers out there, we recently discovered a sweet little shop tucked away in Nago that you must check out.
I am always on the lookout for charming and interesting spots to stop off at spontaneously. My husband and I crossed paths with Shima Donuts when we...