CONTRIBUTED BY KARA PIERACCINI
One of the main things we associate with Okinawa is the Shisa Dog. They can be seen everywhere, guarding homes and businesses. Why not incorporate the Shisa Dog into entertainment?
The Shisa Dog Park does just that. As the park’s main attraction, the Shisa sits, mouth open, legs braced as if it’s just waiting for the weight...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
I have been to T-Bones at the NCO Rocker a couple of times for lunch, but today when I found out they were having a Mongolian BBQ night we decided to give them a try for dinner.
I have to say, the food was delicious and had me thinking about the Mongolian BBQ places back in the...
CONTRIBUTED BY RYAN P. BURGER
In my travels around Okinawa shooting landscapes, I’ve tried my best to stick to areas that aren’t oversaturated by other shooters or beachgoers, discovering (or rediscovering from another’s perspective) places to capture the beauty of this tiny rock in the middle of the Pacific. I was scouting out Oki from the air via Google Maps...
CONTRIBUTED BY KARA PIERACCINI
I like to take my kids to the park. We go to new parks often and are usually pleased with the fun playgrounds the Okinawans have imagined and built. Every once in a while, though, we find one that astonishes us. My kids will get out of the car, jaws hanging open, with excitement written all...
CONTRIBUTED BY KAY MILLS
Unfortunately, my last two weeks in Okinawa were spent preparing for our move to Misawa; you know, the paper work, organizing the move, changing the mailing address, taking care of banking concerns, etc. In other words, a few weeks o' total STRESS! Fortunately, before I left, I had the opportunity to get a massage – a wonderful way...
CONTRIBUTED BY KARA PIERACCINI
When I moved to Okinawa, I had grand ideas of getting a job. Seven months, a handful of interviews, and no luck later, I was ready for just about anything to have some adult interaction outside of my house.
My husband had asked our FRO (Family Readiness Officer) for any information, and she mentioned the Navy-Marine Corps...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
Driving past Tonkatsu Taro you would have no idea what they serve, since all the signs are in kanji. Luckily, several of my coworkers have been there and love it. I decided to join them one day for lunch. I had tried tonkatsu once before, but that was when I was first on-island and really had no idea where it...
CONTRIBUTED BY LACEE NANSEN
I love burgers. During my last pregnancy I consumed an ridiculous amount of Five Guys, and right in the middle of my nine-month journey we came to Okinawa. After arriving and not satisfying my craving (without having to do a lot of prep work myself), I started searching for the best burger joint. I found a...
Editor's Note: This business is back open! It had closed temporarily in January 2014.
CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZABETH BELGARD
I’m not really a big fan of breakfast. I know that I should be, since it’s “the most important meal of the day” and all that jazz, but I hate mornings. Breakfast generally happens in the morning and, for me, it means that breakfast generally...
CONTRIBUTED BY CLAIRE BRAYCOLLINS
Sometimes, friends and acquaintances commend my “ability” for “just getting out there” and “finding” cool things to do or eat or experience. It’s flattering, but the reality is, I’m just a master at getting lost, taking random left turns for no apparent reason, venturing out into random neighborhoods, alleys, swales (oops), and a handful of times,...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
When I first arrived on-island, I was skeptical to buy food and produce off base. After seeing the prices for items at the on-base grocery stores, I was in shock at how expensive some items could be, and figured off-base items would be the same or more. For example, a 5-pound bag of white potatoes routinely goes...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS
Want to see a beautiful island with friendly faces, loads of history, and untouched by tourism? According to folklore, Kudaka Island is considered sacred. It is said that the deity who created the Ryukyus, Amamikiyo, descended here first and introduced multi-grains essential for life (rice, wheat, millet grains, and beans). It is also said that the...
CONTRIBUTED BY TRISH KAPRIELIAN
What do steak lovers, vegetarians and ramen lovers all have in common? They can all eat at Stripe ramen! It’s a new ramen shop on 58 by Lester. When I entered the store, it was clean, bright and had rap/R&B playing on the radio. You order through a vending machine, but it has pictures, an English translation next to the vending machine,...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS
Get ready to be “wowed,” my friends—or at least impressed a bit. If you haven’t heard of Melody Road yet, you are missing out! Up north in a little town called Futami, in Nago City, there is a section of the road that has had lines cut into the concrete that play a song if you...
CONTRIBUTED BY SANDRA STAMOS
Looking to spend the day out on or under the water? I highly recommend Destiny Charters.
Based out of the Okinawa Marina (next to Sam’s by the Sea in Awase), it is very easy to get there.
The Destiny is the only American-owned boat going out to the Okinawa Barrier Reef (OBR) and east side/Pacific side sites. These sites...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
When we first arrived on-island last June, one of the first things we wanted to do was buy a car. We felt badly constantly asking our sponsor for rides to places—especially since we have a two-year-old and kept having to install and uninstall her car seat every time we needed a ride. Luckily for us, the day...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMANDA DODSON/PHOTOS BY DANIELLE MATLOCK
Editor’s note: Many expectant mothers have heard the term “doula” but not understood its meaning. Amanda has offered to explain what a doula is, what a doula is not, and where to go for more information. Thanks Amanda!
The phone rings at 2:00 a.m. The voice of an excited—yet slightly nervous—dad quietly states, “We...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAURA SNELL
The Dress Diner is a beautiful, glass-walled restaurant (located on the first floor of the Dai Ichi Hotel) with breathtaking views of Comprehensive Park and the vast sea below. During the day it provides wonderful scenery, and at night the cityscape is unmistakable. I have eaten here several times and have never been disappointed! The food selection...
CONTRIBUTED BY CALYN PAQUIN
There is no doubt Okinawa has beautiful and gorgeous flowers. Even if flower is not your thing, there is something about being around landscapes and landscapes of them to take your breath away. Every year, you can line up the blooming seasons of Sakura (cherry blossoms) around early February, sunflowers towards the end of February, azaleas...
The 2013 calendar was only available for a couple of short months at the end of 2012 and the beginning of this year. In case you missed the opportunity to purchase one for yourself, we'd like to show you what you're missing.
This was June's page:
Kadena Marina
Photo Credit: Ryan Burger
See each of our 2013 calendar months HERE (each month's calendar...
CONTRIBUTED BY JAIMIE TELSCHOW
I had my doubts before visiting Bali, wondering if it would be too touristy for my taste. I can’t begin to describe just how wrong I was. My only regret about Bali is not spending more than four days there. We flew into the island on Air Asia late on a Wednesday night. We were able...
CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
Just off the noisy, often crowded stretch of Kokusai Street passing by Miebashi Station runs a much quieter but busy road. This lovely restaurant immediately caught my attention after it was first shown to me by a friend. The friendly staff, a local couple, greets you as you enter their small but cozy establishment. As soon...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAURA SNELL
Sushi Shuna is a quaint little restaurant located on the second floor of the Dai Ichi Hotel. The side and front provide large glass windows with amazing views of the ocean and Comprehensive Park below. The restaurant has a great variety of foods to choose from, and even offers an English menu. The food can best...
Editor's Note: We have an updated review on Mont Crea! After the original post below was published, the owner closed briefly. He has since re-opened with a new menu, so be sure to check out the new article! We've close comments on this post but please feel free to join the conversation on the updated post.
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FILLMAN
If...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
While walking back from my neighborhood farmer’s market, which unfortunately I did not know is closed on Sundays, I decided to stop in at the green-signed building just on the corner. The sign is completely in kanji so I had no idea what they sold. I have walked and driven past this store several times and always...
CONTRIBUTED BY LEAH MAGID
Editor's Note: This is an update to the original article on Okinawa Fruits Land we published in 2010. You can read that one HERE.
Much like the girl in every “Nerd-To-Princess” movie ever made, Okinawa Fruitsland has gotten contact lenses, dyed its hair and is now showing a little leg. Formerly an afterthought for people turning the...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAURA SNELL
Sheesah Lounge is a bar/lounge/restaurant located on the 10th floor of the Dai Ichi Hotel. The menu offers home-style Okinawan dishes. The menu is not extensive but has enough to choose from so that there is something for everyone (including kids).
This is a smoking establishment, so if you are sensitive to smoke, this might not be...
Editor's Note: Transit Cafe was originally reviewed on Okinawa Hai on March 20, 2007; you can read a PDF copy of that original review HERE. The post below is an updated take on this restaurant, published May 20, 2013.
CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER
I was first introduced to Transit Café by pure accident. Some friends and I were searching for a place to...
CONTRIBUTED BY RYAN P. BURGER
Looking for a beach that isn’t Toguchi or White Beach? How about someplace a little less crowded and a little more scenic? If you don’t mind a gorgeous drive to Hamahiga Island, then Muruku Beach is for you!
This beautiful spot is hidden on the east side of Hamahiga-jima, down a dirt path sandwiched between the...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAURA SNELL
The Yukuru spa is located on the 14th floor of the Dai Ichi Hotel. I have been to the spa at least three times and each time I have been impressed. The spa is located in a converted hotel suite that looks out over the ocean. The rooms are private and peaceful. From the second that...