Swap Clothing
CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN PARKER
The concept of swap shopping is simple and genius: take what you don’t need and trade it for something you do! It’s a great way to recycle, save money, and even meet new people. If you like any of these things, swap shopping might just be for you!
The Okinawa Kids Clothing Swap began...
Shabu Exterior
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
It was the day of Typhoon Songda and our Japanese friends decided to go bowling. Our family figured that if Japanese people were still out and about, the typhoon couldn’t be that bad -- yet. We headed to Seaside Bowl in Chatan and after a few games, we left and found it pouring...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOY BARNES
I wouldn’t call myself a “coffee snob” but I would definitely say I know a thing or two about good coffee. My first job in high school was at the mall coffee shop. Later, when I was in college I even met my Marine husband while working at a Starbucks near Quantico. During...
Green Green Chicken
Green Green View
CONTRIBUTED BY ANNE PARADISE
Let me just say, that as I was slowly navigating through a neighborhood via “Café Green Green” sign posts stuck along the road, I did not expect to find a Café with such a gorgeous view. Mostly unsure of where I was headed, I was happy to find parking attendants waiting...
Lollipop Front
CONTRIBUTED BY ANNE PARADISE
One of the best things about working at a Japanese high school is going out to lunch with the teachers. Thanks to my wonderful local work friends, I have gotten to try some great Japanese speaking cafés and restaurants. Lollipop tops the list.
I went to Lollipop for lunch my first week in Okinawa and I...
Chatan Coffee Drinks
CONTRIBUTED BY ALEXIS KNUTSON
Sometimes one of the best things about going somewhere new is the thrill of the hunt. You know, those obscure places in Okinawa where you drive out Gate 2 street until you pass three soda machines, then turn right at the Lawsons next to the Coco Curry place and you should see it...
Hinoe Interior View
CONTRIBUTED BY KAYLIE GROENHOUT
During May when the rainy season was in full effect, it was easy to get into a funk around the island. My adventuresome side isn’t the only thing that becomes stagnant when the rain rolls in – my dining habits do, too. It’s easy to say, “I don’t wanna drive to the commissary and...
Taurus Food
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
There was nothing that had anything to do with astrological signs at Garden Restaurant Taurus. Nothing that had to do with Greek mythology where Zeus turned into Taurus, a magical white bull, to seduce Europa. In fact, there was nothing about bulls here. The only thing that came close to a bull...
Dulce Toes
CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN PARKER
Dulce, indeed! Everything about this nail salon is sweet – the location, the nail art, the price, and most of all, the relaxation. I’ll admit that when my mother’s day flower bouquet showed up with a gift certificate for a pedicure attached to it, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t to Dulce’s main...
Singapore Zoo
CONTRIBUTED BY ROSIE LEE
One of the most exciting things available to families living overseas in the Pacific is the many great travel opportunities. The options are endless and the cultures unforgettable. We have been fortunate and blessed enough to have traveled to several spots in Asia such as Thailand, Hong Kong, mainland Japan, and Guam. ...
Veg Stands Cabbage
CONTRIBUTED BY CAYLN PAQUIN
Here in Okinawa, we don’t have as many drive-through businesses as in the US, especially when it comes to fast food restaurants. Not that we need them because aren’t we all trying to eat healthier? So for a change, why not a different kind of drive-through… well almost a drive-through for healthy foods we...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Okay, I’ll admit. We visited this place because I was expecting full on Hawaiian fare. I was expecting plate lunches with a choice of meat, two scoops of rice and mac salad on the side. I was drooling at the thought of having something barbecued, or maybe lau-lau or kalua pig. I was a bit disappointed...
Many of you ordered the 2011 Okinawa Hai Calendar for yourself and friends and family. But for those who were not so lucky, we wanted to give you the chance to see the photographs and stories that currently grace our kitchen walls!
In the next couple of months, we will begin asking you to contribute your favorite stories and photographs...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN PARKER
I have been searching high and low for a produce market that isn’t too far off the beaten path and yet still has a large selection. I finally found it, at the suggestion of two friends, and it fits the (Yen) bill perfectly!
The market is conveniently located to Foster, Futenma and Kinser. I live on Lester...
CONTRIBUTED BY CHRISTOPHER ANDREWS
If looking for a place to throw some darts or play some pool, there is a great bar that recently opened up in Uruma City, near Camp Courtney, on Route 329. The River-Rock opened in mid-April 2011 by a very friendly Japanese fellow, Ichiro Ohama. These games translate around the world, plus he speaks decent...
CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA TIUSECO
Bian is an Izakaya, an establishment that serves food to accompany drinks. On a typical weekend the place is packed with wedding guests from the local NBC Building. While there is a good amount of parking and tables, reservations couldn’t hurt.
We went midweek since they are closed Tuesdays and had no problem being seated. You will be...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOY BARNES
As a “Florida Girl” I’ve spent much time around the water and in the sand. I’ve collected pretty shells, an occasional shark’s tooth and even some beautiful sand dollars. However, it wasn’t until I spent time on Okinawan beaches that I discovered sea glass. Now, searching for sea glass has become one of my family’s...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
When one thinks of the military base houses built in Okinawa in the 1950’s, rectangular boxed shaped homes with low ceilings, typhoon proof windows, mold and dehumidifiers, and vinyl tiles would probably come to mind (yes, I’m guilty of sometimes just focusing on the negatives when living in base housing). Beautiful jazz music like the Lullaby...
CONTRIBUTED BY KATIE CLARY
My husband and I had seen this building before on an excursion to the "Kaichu Doraibu," or the "Sea Road" that leads you across the ocean to Henza Island, Miyagi Island, and Ikei Island to the East of Okinawa, but we didn't realize that there was a restaurant inside until my husband rode past it...
CONTRIBUTED BY PENNY VA HEERDEN
In the comments section of my Why Martial Arts? post, someone asked for links to local Martial Arts Association websites. There are so many top notch dojos in Okinawa that I was, at first, a bit hesitant to list only one association. However, since coming to Okinawa I have received so much support and gained so...
For those of you coming to join us on our tropical island paradise, we hope Trish's experience leaving Seattle will be helpful. For another point of view, check out Crystal's post HERE.
CONTRIBUTED BY TRISH KAPRIELIAN
Well, we finally made it to Okinawa and I’m here to share what I learned that may help others.
Seattle Hotels: There are many cheap places...
CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA TIUSECO
With our extension paperwork finally filed we have been voraciously exploring the island just in case we get some bad news (knock on wood.) This month we made it our mission to explore places we had promised we would try during the almost four years we have been here. While this one was not on our...
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIE WOOLERY
One of the greatest things about living in Japan is that you don’t have to go to an expensive restaurant to eat good sushi… you can easily eat it at home! Years ago some Japanese friends introduced us to temaki-zushi or hand-rolled sushi. I could never remember the name; I just always referred to it...
CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN
Okinawa is hot. If you’re like me, during the "winter" you brag to friends at home about the sunshine and beaches, knowing that they are still shoveling snow and wearing winter boots. There’s no threat of frostbite in the Okinawan winter and many people who live here have never seen snow or felt the real cold...
Continuing our features on the Yaeyama Islands...
CONTRIBUTED BY LISA RUPPERT
On our second full day in Ishigaki we decided to take a ferry to explore Iriomote Island, an island located about 25km west of Ishigaki. Iriomote is in stark contrast to Ishigaki with its subtropical forests, mountains and rivers providing a wealth of opportunities for ecotourism. Iriomote is a large...
CONTRIBUTED BY LISA RUPPERT
Our spring break get-away to Ishigaki Island provided us with the perfect opportunity to explore this quaint little island. Taketomi Island is small, roughly 2.5km wide by 3.5km in length, and is located about 6km from Ishigaki’s port (in the southern portion of Ishigaki).
Taking a trip to Taketomi Island is like stepping back in time. The village...
CONTRIBUTED BY LISA RUPPERT
In an effort to escape the doldrums of daily life and work, my husband and I decided to plan a little vacation during our daughter’s spring break holiday. We had seen programs highlighting Iriomote and Taketomi Islands on one of the AFN channels and we knew that these were two places we definitely wanted to visit...
We were recently invited to enjoy a complimentary night at the ANA Intercontinental on Ishigaki Island. Sarah & her husband happily obliged, but the opinions below are totally theirs.
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FORTE
Remember weekend escapes? Those little chances to sneak away for a quick weekend; long enough to take a break, but not so long that you need a vacation...
CONTRIBUTED BY MELISSA RUISZ
Bama's BBQ & Grill - formerly known as Nap's Southern Grill - has two locations on Okinawa; it offers exceptional value, a relaxed, kid-friendly atmosphere, and best of all, down home Southern cookin' that's hard to find anywhere else on island.
If you've spent any time in the southern U.S., you probably recognize this phrase: "Sweet, or...
CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES
Another grand opening for another restaurant here in Okinawa. But you won’t find beef, chicken, or even veggies here—except the usual tsukemono fare. All you’ll find here is fish, fish, and more fish. Fresh fish, specifically maguro, or tuna.
When I first visited the restaurant, it was a day after their grand opening. I walked to...