CONTRIBUTED BY LAURA SNELL
Looking to get a tattoo while in Okinawa, or perhaps something to commemorate an event or your time here? Melissa of Inkspirations is the person to go to! She only takes appointments, so no walk-ins. And, just to forewarn, she books up pretty fast so you have to schedule your appointment a little ways out. I...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
For those in the market for unique Okinawan souvenirs, there is new pottery shop along Highway 329 in Yaka that is worth checking out. The studio is called Shikui-Shisa and is defined by the kooky and funny styled shisa that stand guard atop a low makeshift terracotta wall.
As amusing as these shisa look, they are only...
Editor's Note: This is the second installment of Quentin's trip to Kumejima. Click here to read Part 1.
CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
With only four and a half hours of daylight left, I had to rush around and catch a glimpse of as many sights as possible. There was a CoCo’s convenience store nearby, where I grabbed a bento and some...
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...
Editor's Note: This is the location formerly known as Café & Aroma T's, once a popular restaurant in Yomitan. We have leared that T's closed, and Songbird Café has opened in the same building.
CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF
I gaze out at the magic carpet sea. We have the best seat in the house. My husband and I came for a getaway...
CONTRIBUTED BY WILL MILLER
After months of exploring Okinawa, my wife and I were looking for something beyond a typically tropical island beach, a typically scenic waterfall, a typically good scuba dive, or a typically historic castle. We were looking for an adventure that had that little something extra. After scouring Google Maps, I came across an area that made...
CONTRIBUTED BY MATTHEW MATLOCK
Many of us a have jar full of pennies (or yennies) sitting on our counters or desks at this very moment, but when was the last time you actually thought about how much these single unit coins were actually worth?
Yen is comparable to the dollar in the sense that 100 ¥1 coins equal a single ¥100 coin,...
CONTRIBUTED BY EMILY BUREK
When you live off base it’s nice to find a place to eat near home. Kintsuki Restaurant is a quaint little place just across from Kadena gate 4 and within walking distance to my house. They are open for lunch and dinner. My husband and I went there with another couple for dinner, around 7:00 p.m. on a...
CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTIN LITTLE
On a quest to find a snorkel spot for our first time snorkeling, and a place that was also safe for our 8-year-old, we found Oodomari Beach (Mama San Beach). Located on Ikei Island, this beach was exactly what I envisioned beaches to look like when we got orders to Okinawa.
The white sand drops into crystal...
Editor's Note: We have been informed that this villa is currently in a long-term rental, and not available for shorter stays. Please use the contact information in this post to learn more.
CONTRIBUTED BY CASEY ANNIS
Does a quiet, tranquil get away sound nice? We thought so too. So we set out to find "Forest Villa," hidden in the mountains of Motobu in...
CONTRIBUTED BY DEVAN KACZYNSKI/ARCHIVE PHOTO
Whenever I've moved to a new place, I knew that if I needed to, I could go "home" within some short airplane hours. Moving here is different, and I should be more uncomfortable; I should be more scared that Texas is out and my circa-1975 concrete base housing bunker is now home. I do feel...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
When my husband first mentioned going to a Shishimai Festival I was a little hesitant, especially having a very wiggly and talkative 3-year-old. After doing some research, I discovered the festival is more of a performance with the traditional food vendors selling Okinawan delicacies and treats. I did a little more digging to make sure the...
The 2014 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2013, and for a limited time in the early months of 2014. Next year's calendar will be available for purchase beginning next month.
This was October’s page:
Nago Summer Festival
Photo Credit: April Oliveras
"I have no clue how
This works. Oh wait, did we just
Win six hundred yen?" -Muneerah Bee
Naha...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANABELA DA SILVA JENKINS
Traveling in Japan on a budget might seem challenging, but with a little planning and a good dose of adventure it is very well possible. If you are on a budget but you would like to visit Ishigaki Island, read on.
August was our time to visit Ishigaki-jima, one of the southernmost islands in Japan....
Editor's Note: We have another post all about Bise Village, but for more specifics about bike rentals, keep reading below!
CONTRIBUTED BY CASEY ANNIS
Bise Fukugi Tree Road is a little hidden gem just past Churaumi Aquarium and Expo Park. If you haven't been there before I suggest you check it out. We drove past Expo and took the next left...
CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF
Like any lady, I’m a sucker for chocolate. And boy have I found a great place to get my fix! After a tasty meal at Chakashiya, the restaurant next door, I stop to pick up the cutesiest, most decadent chocolate mousse cake I’ve ever tasted at the artisan sweet shop named Toytoy in Yomitan. This chic...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
The atmosphere surrounding Kin Town outside of Camp Hansen has experienced a much-needed rebirth from a wild, single service member party town to a laid back area that now has something to offer to people of all ages and nationalities. One welcome addition to the Kin community, which has aided this transformation, is the elegant and...
CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF
There is a new little secret tucked away on Highway 6 on the way to Maeda Point. If you live in Yomitan, I guarantee that you want to know more about it. It is an Okinawan dinner joint named Chakashiya, only open from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. They serve Okinawan food with a twist, and have...
Editor's Note: Our original post on Mont Crea was published right after it opened in 2013. Since then, the owner briefly closed the business and then re-opned with a new menu. Without further ado, here's the new review!
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
Kin Town is host to many subtle attractions, but one of the most refined can be found in a little patisserie...
This post was originally featured on our sister site, Germany Ja. We feel it has value for our readers here, as well.
CONTRIBUTED BY CASEY COTE
In the military, PCS is just a fancy acronym for "Hey, you're moving!" The acronym stands for Permanent Change of Station, but as all military families know, the move is never permanent. Some families will move every 2-3 years,...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAURA MORONEY
It was the weekend before school started, and a celebration was indeed needed. Instead of going to the regular hot spot restaurants in Okinawa, we decide to take our two school-age children somewhere new. Café Cielmer is located on the Sunabe seawall right above the popular hair salon Borjon. I spotted it the week prior while walking...
Editor's Note: This café is located inside Yakumitsu Hompo, a honey store where you can taste many different kinds of honey from China. Our other review is about the honey store specifically, but this post is all about the café inside. Enjoy!
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
At first glance, this establishment seems to be one of the many import or eclectic specialty food...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
I have driven past “Warp” on 58 numerous times; however, I never really paid close attention to it. I always thought with a name like “Warp,” it was probably just another pachinko or arcade. Boy was I wrong.
My husband was talking with a co-worker about us looking for a dresser for our new nursery, and he...
Editor's Note: Restaurant Salsa is in the same location as the restaurant formerly known as La Tejadita Ichiban. Thanks to Alissa for sending us this update!
CONTRIBUTED BY ALISSA FRAZIER
My family and I like this place, so we want to share our thoughts with you about Salsa.
Salsa has many new additions to their menu. Now they serve juicy local roast...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
KAI Cafe is conveniently located in Toyosaki Comprehensive Park (near Ashibanaa Outlet Mall) which means parking is a breeze compared to other places on the island. The atmosphere in the Café is exquisite and artful. Crystal chandeliers sparkle as they refract the multitude of light sources thoughtfully dispersed around the dining room.
For a moment upon entering...
The 2014 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2013, and for a limited time in the early months of 2014. Next year's calendar will be available for purchase in the final months of this year.
This was September’s page:
Ryukyu Mura
Photo Credit: Derrick Pittman
PittmansPhotography.com
"The sunshine breathes life
With three strings. Sing, dance, and love
For eternity" -Joseph Yoshimasu Kamiya
Nakamura House
Photo...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
Every September around the fall equinox, or what the Japanese call “Mid-Autumn,” Shuri Castle holds what they call their “Mid-Autumn Celebration” where they keep the castle grounds open after dark and allow visitors to enter the “pay” portion of the park to view a live performance for free.
The event provides attendees with a glimpse of the...
Editor’s Note: This is the 10th and final installment of Kassie’s adventure through Cambodia and Vietnam with her sister. Click on the following links to read the others: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9
CONTRIBUTED BY KASSIE O'DRISCOLL
So, what happened the next day was a bit of a shocker ... we couldn't get out of bed. Actually,...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
Most experienced shoppers on the island are well aware of the mega outlet mall Ashibanaa. For those who may be looking for something other than the shop-until-you-drop experience in this area can find it in Toyosaki Comprehensive Park just west of the outlet mall. If you have ever taken the bridge over the ocean heading towards...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELSEY FEENEY
Are you thinking about inking? With so many tattoo shops here on Okinawa, it can be hard to decide which one to choose! Many points factor in when choosing a tattoo studio, such as quality of work, price, and availability. But what if you were able to find a tattoo studio that had all of those...