CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Cafe Casa Exterior
When I saw this Café, I thought of old colonial homes, especially the ones around Williamsburg, Virginia. It seemed odd to me that this type of structure was found in Okinawa. Although you won’t experience the American Revolution here, you will experience some delicious Italian lunch sets in a cozy atmosphere. ...
CONTRIBUTED BY DEANNA HAXTON
Kacafe Grilled Cheese
My very first day on island my sponsor drove me up Gate 2 street and on the way pointed out a small sign that read “World’s Best Grilled Cheese.” It took me nearly 6 months to get back to that place and try it, but now it’s my Friday night dinner and drinks tradition.
Kaca-fé,...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS
Oki Motor Fest Street Jam
Any motor-heads out there? Enjoy watching car or motorcycle racing? Or perhaps you want something a little different to do on a weekend? If so, the Okinawa Motor Festival is a fantastic event for you!
Since moving to the island last summer, I have greatly missed my home-town demolition derby’s...
We are excited to introduce a new writer -- one who is beginning her journey to Okinawa. She's agreed to keep us posted on the ups and downs and in-betweens as she leaves the States and finds her groove in Okinawa. I know her experiences will encourage those who are PCSing to Okinawa, and receive nods and mmm-hmmms from...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Cafe One Bar View
Cafe One Bar Front
Imagine yourself being in a little tree house, high atop a lookout over the sea. Then imagine someone serving you a seven course meal with drinks while you sat by the window looking out into the ocean. No peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches here, but healthy, quality, yummy food including soups,...
CONTRIBUTED BY JANNEL KETTENRING
Wen Bing Sign
Wen Bing Inside
A night out with a friend led to the discovery of a fantastic Taiwanese Cafe. Wen-Bing is located on the second floor of the small pink building facing the parking lot of Depot Island. The atmosphere was very relaxing. We had a great view of the American Village Ferris Wheel all lit...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS
Ryukyu Glass Photo Op
Beautiful, vibrant, enjoyable, eye-pleasing, engaging fun, are just a few words to describe the experiences awaiting you at the largest glass factory in Okinawa, otherwise known as Ryukyu Glass Craft Village. I have been to a few glass factories on the island, and as much as I love each one, this one—by far—has...
Fukugawa Falls
CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
For those seeking adventure, Fukugawa falls is a great place to visit. Be prepared to hike, climb and swim all in one trip. You can also walk upstream to just to visit the falls to take pictures or even picnic along the route.
Fukugawa Trail
This site can serve as a great river trekking adventure if you...
Editor's Note: A reader has informed us in early 2013 that this restaurant is currently undergoing renovations, with an unknown reopening date. If you discover that this restaurant is operating again, please let us know!
CONTRIBUTED BY TRACIE ROBERTS
Hi there everyone! I’m happy to tell about a new restaurant in Onna Village! It’s Sea Time Sunset Dining- and it is...
The 2012 calendar was only available for a couple short months at the end of 2011 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 April's page {Click on photos to enlarge}:
Zampa...
CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN
Hokkaido Snow Sculpture
Hokkaido TV Tower
Early in February, I purchased Heat Tech products from Uniqlo. I dug out a winter jacket, mittens, leg-warmers, wool socks, and every sweater I own. I found those hand-warmers that my mother always took on skiing trips. I put all these things in a suitcase and I left our sub-tropical island (where...
CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTY WELLS
Another geocaching adventure took us north to Kin on a beautiful, spring Saturday. The cache was located at Kenmin no Mori (Prefectural Citizen's Forest). This day trip destination is FULL of things to do, including camping!
There is a snack shack, with ice cream and chips, etc:
Kenmin Snack Shack
There is (what looks like) a central office by...
CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA RODRIGUEZ
Agu House Front
My husband and I were driving around, looking for somewhere new to eat and came across this place. It’s so good! I really don’t know the name in Japanese, I’m just going with the only English name on the outside door, Agu-House. It’s delicious! The staff is friendly and really helpful. They have kid-friendly...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
There’s just something about walking into a restaurant where the entrance reminds you of narrow cobblestoned streets you can find in Little Italy's all over the world—Canada, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, and of course, New York. When we walked into Trattoria Ancora here in Okinawa, I immediately thought of our last Little Italy visit in Baltimore...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS & DIANA MIDDLETON
This post was originally contributed by Diana Middleton in 2007. But we felt it deserved an update! Thanks to Amy for helping writing up this new post.
Kurashiki View 1
We had the wonderful opportunity a few weekends ago to visit the Kurashiki Dam. I have seen many signs pointing the way and have...
Four Seasons Lobby
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FORTE
Sarah enjoyed a complimentary meal at the Four Seasons, Renaissance Resort, but the opinions below are totally hers.
Take one part Okinawan customer hospitality. Blend Italian flavors. Sprinkle in wine, pasta, and teppanyaki. Add a relaxing atmosphere and a beautiful ocean view. Finish with more dessert that you can imagine. Sound enticing? This recipe for...
CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA RODRIGUEZ
Senor Taco Tacos
We are all a fan of Tacos on Okinawa! I am not sure what it is about them, but they just don’t compare to the wannabe Mexican food served by Taco Bell. I have been to a couple of different taco places around the island, and none of them are better, in my opinion,...
CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
Kakazutaka Panorama
Otherwise known as Kakazu Ridge, where a fierce battle took place during WWII. Bullet holes from the war can be seen at a small exhibit at the base of the observatory. At the top, a peace memorial and prayer site also look over both Ginowan and Urasoe cities.
Kakazutaka Stairs
Upon reaching the park, there a open...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Garyuya Exterior
We came across one of the hippest ‘hole-in-the-wall’ ramen shops in Awase today. As we walked to Garyu-ya, on an extremely cold night (okay 55 degrees in Okinawa IS cold), we could instantly smell the scents of the ramen broth from a block away. From the outside, you see that the restaurant is housed in...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS
Platters Interior
For those of you on a budget or just want some great food, check out Platters on Kadena Air Base. This has become our “go-to” restaurant when we want great food at good prices. The atmosphere is based off of the classics from the 50’s and 60’s, complete with old records, poodle skirts,...
CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
KKHHJ View
KKHHJ Sign
I took another trip to the Nanjo area to find this place after seeing a sign for it off of Highway 331. I also saw a picture of this place from various websites. So, in conjunction with a visit to Thai in the Sky, I took a few friends and set out on a...
CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTY WELLS
An errand trip out to the McT area motivated me to make the drive more than just a chore. We are GeoCachers, though a bit inactive due to the birth of our daughter last May, and the entire family has been itching for some adventure. After opening the GeoCaching website, I found many hides in the...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANGI BRZYCKI
Tacos Ya Plate
Located just a block away from the Sunabe sea wall is a tiny little taco shop -“a hole in the wall ” called Tacos-YA. The prices are cheap and the menu is simple. There are 4-5 tables, but they also do take-out. I've heard that Tacos-Ya is all over the island, but I personally...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Bashofu Exterior
While on a weekend trip to Okuma, we decided to look for places off the beaten path. We came across the Bashofu Weaving Factory on a rainy day and I am so glad we found this place. When we got out of the car, we found a sign which led us to a lady who...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANNA TIENTER
As a half-Japanese person here in Okinawa, I am blessed to have my family nearby at all times. In fact most of them are very close to Foster in the village of Kitanakagusuku. This is where the Nakamura House and the Nakagusuku castle ruins are both located.
Kitanakagusuku: don't be intimidated by the number of letters. Just...
CONTRIBUTED BY CALYN PAQUIN
Taiwan Ramen Front
Oishii! That’s what we would say in Japanese when we are eating delicious food in Japan. Now when you eat at Taiwan Ramen House, you can tell the owners who are also the chef and the hostess of the restaurant, “Ho-Ja” which is “delicious” in the Fujian dialect, the most spoken dialect in Taiwan....
The 2012 calendar was only available for a couple short months at the end of 2011 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 March's page {Click on photos to enlarge}:
Ryugujo...
CONTRIBUTED BY KAYLIE GROENHOUT
Hayatemaru Salt Based
I don’t care how you cut it – there’s nothing like a good bowl of ramen. Be it a rainy, Okinawa day or a night you’re starving and don’t feel like fixing dinner (again!), ramen will always deliver. But, when you live in a place like Japan, you’re bound to encounter numerous ramen shops...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Ocean View Sign
Usually, whenever we go to touristy places, forking out a bunch of money for mediocre food comes with being a tourist. You know, that $5 hot dog, the $3 bottle of water. But this place breaks the preconceived notions about tourist trap food. The Ocean View Restaurant at the Okinawa Chaurami Aquarium...
For all you parents looking for a preschool that suits your kids, we’re hoping to add a little something to aid in your search. Parents of children who attend various preschools on island have filled out a series of questions about the schools for the benefit of the rest of us. We welcome more than one voice on each...