CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
I was heading to check out Nirai Kanai Bridge in Nanjo-shi (the end of Pref. Route 86), and was detoured off the route due to construction. I wasn’t very pleased since the twists and turns led me off Route 86 a LONG distance away. Fontunely, I stumbled upon the famous “white signs” that ALWAYS led you...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
While driving from the Okinawa Aquarium to Okuma, we came across a big brown sign that had a picture of a cow waving, a carton of milk, and the words ‘Kiyuna Farm.’ It looked like a fun place to visit, so we ventured off - driving up the mountain. After a few minutes, we found another...
CONTRIBUTED BY LYNN HAMILTON
Martial Arts 1
I love martial arts. I have been a practitioner on and off over the years. When I arrived in Okinawa I decided it was definitely time to get back into it again! But I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated by all the choices of dojos in Okinawa, plus the fact that...
CONTRIBUTED BY CLAIRE BRAY-COLLINS
I’m a sucker for a good adventure. Heck! I’m a sucker for a good old fashioned tourist trap. I don’t mind the kitsch, the crowds or even a few re-enactors meandering about in old-timey garb offering peace-sign-poses for a gaggle of picture-snapping foreigners. My thought is: “Hey, if it’s new to me, it’s worth a peek....
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Wood Crafts Bldg
While driving home from Okuma, we came across a shop that boasted of hand-carved trinkets, toys and other wooden things. Wooden trains, cars and puzzles, benches, clocks, platters, and pieces of art. There was a room for kids to play while parents shopped. In addition, they had a table full of plants being sold for...
CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN SCHALK
japanese for busy people volumes
If the Japanese textbook Genki seems too intimidating, requiring too much of a financial or time commitment, the three volume series Japanese for Busy People may be a more practical choice. The Japanese for Busy People volumes are approximately thirty dollars or less, depending on where they are purchased. This textbook series is widely...
CONTRIBUTED BY LULU
American Wave Exterior
I admit - I was one of those little girls who raided her mum’s closet for outfits and spangle, and I clip-clopped around in her heels. I still enjoy the experience of getting dressed up and I look forward to shopping with the same fervour. Many of us resort to shopping online for a broader...
CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
Ishikawa Obs View
I found out about this place from the Uruma City offical website. Since I can’t read anything in Japanese, I had a co-worker translate it’s whereabouts for me. Thanks to her help. I set out to find it from work (Kadena).
Ishikawa Obs Up
It literally takes under half an hour to get there. But from...
CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN SCHALK
Genki NewandOld VolumeI
Now that New Year’s festivities have passed, hopefully we have all had a few weeks to come down from the excitement of the holidays and regain a little peace! If you are like me, you’ve made an extensive list of New Year’s resolutions, organized everything into smaller goals to be completed each month, and...
CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON
Tamagusuku Arch
I found this place driving north from Peace Memorial Park. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but a simple visit for sightseeing. It rests atop a hill and has a unique arch entrance that is a bit run down. This castle, and others in the area are not like Shuri or Katsuren, since most...
CONTRIBUTED BY CASSANDRA ABEL
Tanaga View
Tanaga Hike
On a trip up to Cape Hedo we found another small wonder of Okinawa called Tanaga-gumui (also called Aha Falls). If you are up that way and want to see more than just Cape Hedo, make a stop at Tanaga-gumui.
Tanaga-gumui is out of the way a bit and you will miss it if you’re...
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH PEVEHOUSE & HEIDI BREDLOW
WOOP Logo
Come run with us! WOOP! WOOP!
Wait, what was that? W.O.O.P.? Yeah, that’s right – Women On Okinawa Pavement!
WOOP is a group that was formed in September of 2011 by Sarah Pevehouse and has since taken Okinawa by storm! This is an amazing group of women that love to run, be healthy, and...
CONTRIBUTED BY MIKAYLA KING
Shanbio Yoga
After reading one of the monthly Okinawa Living magazines, I came across an advertisement for a spa and yoga studio called he Shanbio. I had missed my yoga routine back in the states and I wanted to check this place out. The next day while I was walking on the Sunabe Seawall I stopped in...
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 February's page {Click on photos to enlarge}:
On the 58
Photo credit: Pamela Oliveras, www.pamelaoliveras.com
"Springtime awakens
Blossoms arise from...
CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTY WELLS
Music Class
Six months ago I found an ad on the Okinawa Yard Sales website with information regarding a new music class available on the island. Lauren Baskins had recently moved here and brought with her the amazing learning experience called Music Together. Music Together is a music and movement class that allows children of mixed ages...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Nana Dressed
Nana Miso Cover
Heading to Korea anytime soon? If you are, make it a point to watch Miso and Nanta. When I took a trip to Seoul, Korea recently, I knew I had to watch some shows that I would usually skip if the kids were with me. I don’t mind watching shows...
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FORTE
“Kimigayo,” (君が代) the Japanese National Anthem, is a song almost all of us hear daily. At military events and at the end of the day, the “Star Spangled Banner” follows “Kimigayo.” I remember the first time I heard it here on Okinawa. I’m sure I had heard it played before, but now it had special significance...
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 vacuum,” or so they say, so...
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FILLMAN
Skip Front
I am pregnant with my first child, and was very excited when I stumbled upon this store, Skip. It's right in American Village and I couldn't believe I'd never been inside before. When I walked in, the first thing I saw was a toddler size t-shirt with a huge colorful hamburger on it......
CONTRIBUTED BY CLAIRE BRAY-COLLINS
Mihama Front
Tot and I love a good quarter mile roller slide over a freeway, like the one at Urasoe Park, a not-so-miniature “Navy S.E.A.L.’s” training site or a hair-raising ride on a “tilt-and-hurl” spinner like those at the Okinawa Convention Center, or even a vaguely supported free fall down those wicked drop slides we happen upon...
CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN (additional photos by Angi Brzycki)
Rize View (photo by Angi)
RIZE Rooftop Terrace Restaurant has only been open since December, but I’ve already declared it my favourite place to eat in Okinawa and a must-try dining experience for all. Located in a former penthouse apartment on Kokusai-dori, RIZE has an amazing view that is only topped by...
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 and lumber to camping supplies, appliances, household...
This post was originally published on December 31, 2010. We're pulling it out of the archives for those of you who are looking for a fun evening activity that can help you keep the holiday spirit going for a little while longer. This display will be available November 1, 2014 - February 28, 2015.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN HOOSER
I love the...
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 visit to Chikyu Zakka Import Warehouse....
King Kong Himself
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
We are HUGE fans of yakiniku. There’s just something fabulous about grilling the tender bite-sized meat pieces that are already marinated and cut up for you. Once you grill the meat, you then dip it into soy sauce mixed with sugar, garlic, sesame, sake, mirin, chili, or miso sauces. Although we’ve...
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 January's page {Click on photos to enlarge}:
Shurijo Castle Park
Photo credit:...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANGI BRZYCKI
Kama Front
Recently, one of my co-workers brought in a bunch of bread for our office. The slice of bread I tried had a sweet potato swirl inside. It was so good, I went directly to the bakery after work to see where something so amazing was made. I kind of giggled when another co-worker of mine...
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 surprise of grab bags. In America I...
CONTRIBUTED BY CALYN PAQUIN
Minami Exterior
Buying fruits and vegetables makes me feel good because I don’t seem to feed my family enough of it. Since I went to this farmer's market, I’ve been back every time I need to get fresh produce.
Minami Veg 1
The sign says Nakagusuku Farm. Choku baijo which means “direct selling place”. That means the produce sold...
CONTRIBUTED BY LEAH MAGID
Daikon Food
When we first came to Okinawa just over a year ago, we were pretty trepidetious about trying new foods. Partially impeded by the profound language barrier and partially worried about the fact that we didn’t know what was actually in some dishes, we tried our best but didn’t get terribly far.
One of our strategies in...