CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
Willingness to try new things. Openness to the unknown. Adventurous spirit. Just a few character traits that make an overseas experience that much more of a kick in the pants!
During my time on Okinawa, one of my favorite ways to experience new things has been by visiting some of the local farmers markets. My favorite is...
CONTRIBUTED BY LARISSA
It's very rare you come across a place with a New Orleans style jazz atmosphere, good music and food with so much flavor!
I love the above tag line on this restaurant's business card - it sums up our experience on a recent Saturday night and I couldn't have said it any better. Sauce is a fun place...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINECZUBIK
If your day doesn't get started without a cup of joe, or you just love the smell, take a stroll in Yamachu-Honpo in Chatan.
Roasted here in Okinawa, Yamachu-Honpo's brews three varieties of coffee: Original Blend for both hot and iced coffee, and Gettou Flavor. Gettou, a native plant to Okinawa, is part of the ginger family and has...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
Stephanie AKA Okistephie of Hot Dog Photography has provided us with a great image of an, a, ummmmm...well, I don't actually know...a llama? Please fill us in and location too (Okinawa zoo?)!
CONTRIBUTED BY JANNINE MYERS
I wish you will have a good new year!
Yoi otoshi o omukae kudasai!
よいお年をお迎えください。
source
Otoshidama-bukuro (Otoshidama money envelopes)
The timing of this post is a little premature, by just a few weeks, but I’m headed home to New Zealand for the holidays and won’t be back till early January. I thought it would be fun before I...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
A short and easy day excursion from Hong Kong is Lantau Island. This outlying island is more quiet and rural than its flashier cosmopolitan sister, which makes it a nice getaway from the hustle bustle and neon. Here, you will find several tourist attractions as well as hiking trails, fresh air, and greenery.
For families and children,...
CONTRIBUTED BY LARISSA TRAQUAIR
As far as I know this restaurant was the first of its kind on Okinawa before the new kid came to town. We were stationed here back in 1998 and we were introduced to Myung Dong our first week on-island by our sponsor. We use to live down the street, so this restaurant was both good...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINECZUBIK
Attention crafters! There's a shop near Gate 2 Street to supply your creative needs.
Yarn, beads, fabric and notions of all kinds, the Hand Craft Shop is a great resource whatever your hobby may be.
For the knitter or crocheter, the store is stocked with quite a variety of yarn, including alpaca, cashmere, lame, wool, and cotton at good prices, plus needles...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
I thought I might as well post the four images this week. Thriveoutdoors has been eyeballing the skinned blowfish down in Naha..whilst his wife has been kissing them :o) (see his flickr stream!)
I took this down in Naha too a month or so ago. I went down there with a few other photographers. If anyone ever...
Teru Teru Bozu
CONTRIBUTED BY JANNINE MYERS
Just last week, as my daughters and I were leaving the school where my youngest takes her karate lessons, I couldn’t help notice some odd-looking puppet-type dolls (teru teru bozu) hanging from a tree outside the home of a nearby resident. They looked like little ghosts, but friendly-like and not at all intimidating or...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
We recently returned from a Thanksgiving trip to Hong Kong. Since I know many Okinawahai readers may also be planning a trip there over Christmas holidays, I want to provide some helpful tips we learned along the way about transportation and star attractions. Next week's post will follow up with information about an easy side trip...
2014 Update - The owner left this information in the comments: "Yes, we are open again this year from 4:00 to 10:30 PM, through 29 December, our last day. We spoke with the MAN-IN-THE-RED-SUIT and he has agreed to stop by 6-times this year; December 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, and 22, which are by RESERVATIONS ONLY. As of this...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK
Acute is a furniture store not to be overlooked.
Acute carries beautiful, new furniture made primarily of teak wood from Indonesia. Crafted in Indonesia, the furniture is shipped to Okinawa where the owner personally stains and finishes each piece.
Amidst the dressers, buffets, tables and chairs, sit this one of a kind hand-carved world map desk. While the inlaid plaque...
CONTRIBUTED BY JANAE BURGER
According to a Japanese proverb, "There are formalities between the closest of friends." I smile at this as I think about the shocking lack of formalities between myself and some of my closest friends. Many of the relaxed "normal" behaviors accepted between close friends in America would NOT be acceptable in Japan. Personally, I think one...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
Erika AKA Bijo D....shot this glowing palm tree. "The palm trees at the casino glow & dance with lights as if trying to lure you in to play one round & test your luck!"
See it bigger HERE
I thought I would also add Ehdyomie's festive image taken New Year 2009 at the Southeast Botanical Gardens annual light...
CONTRIBUTED BY JANNINE MYERS
I did something a couple of weeks ago which gravely reminded me that my Japanese language skills are in dire need of attention. I was on my way out with both my daughters, when my youngest daughter’s two little play companions raced over to see if she could play (you may remember these two little boys...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
While living in Okinawa, we are fortunate to have so many exciting travel destinations nearby. Mainland Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Seoul are just a few of the places that are relatively short flights away. Even other countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia can be easily reached within a day. Have you ever stopped...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK
Last week on a drive up north to "see what we could see", my friend and I spotted Ryukyu Tribes – with this artistically refined pig:
I am no longer fazed at seeing pigs in Okinawa: from the Puma sneaker brand styled Shisa shirts to the real skinned pig’s face (snout included) for sale in the refrigerated section...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
Justin AKA Thriveoutdoors is back this week with a fantastic image of a Lionfish taken during a dive at Onna point. This was taken during a daytime dive outing that turned into a night dive! Justin says: This Lionfish was not very excited about me shoving a camera in his face. His temper flares as he...
CONTRIBUTED BY JANNINE MYERS
During the summer my husband and I decided that the Kadena flightline, located directly across the road from our off-base home, wasn’t necessarily a great landmark to have near our front yard. Watching my youngest child throw her hands up over her ears more times in a day than I could care to count was just...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
Years ago, when pictures of Michael Jackson sleeping peacefully, if not bizarrely, in an oxygen chamber hit the media, the American public simply passed off the "treatment" as just another wacky stunt from the late eccentric pop singer. However, what may be viewed as "on the fringe" in the States is actually a fairly common health...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
I thought I would share two images from 2 new contributors for this weeks landscape theme. The first is brought to you by Ellie Grace2 (<---- if you are reading this please leave any cool details that you want to share about the shot, the area, etc in the comments section!)
Taken at Cape Manzamo, these succulent...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE
It's been three months since the housing rules for incoming military personnel and their families stopped allowing off-base housing at will here on Okinawa. This new mandate has caused some disgruntled feelings among those hoping to live off-base; for many who wanted to experience the living away from their place of employment and the living among...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
Located on Camp Kinser, the Battle of Okinawa Historical Display houses a fascinating collection of artifacts, photos, and memorabilia.
The museum is a volunteer only operation and maintains its collection from pieces donated through the generosity of veterans and private collectors, items recovered from construction sites and places of historical interest, as well items discovered and purchased...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOY BARNES
Located within walking distance from Courtney and McT, I'm always surprised by how few people have tried one of my favorite restaurants here on Okinawa - Toride (pronounced Tori-day). It is a not so "hidden gem" that seems to be overlooked by many Americans searching for great Japanese food.
I would classify Toride as an izakaya -...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK
This week my dear neighbor took me most soothing place on island apart from the waves crashing at the beach: an aromatherapy and herb shop. She discovered it when searching for tea tree oil to aid her baby's diaper rash.
Tennenkobo Herbal and Aromatic Life shop is a small store attached to Mangiare Italian Restaurant. When you step across the stone...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
Good Monday everyone. So, I was procrastinating and didn't look at the flickr stream until this morning and Shock! Horror! No images uploaded. So...I went through my stream and this is all I could come up with before I head out to the gym. I quickly converted it to black and white to hopefully 'spookify' it!
Some...
Shichi-go-san is not a national holiday and is celebrated on November 15th, or the closest weekend that falls on that date.
CONTRIBUTED BY JANNINE MYERS
Those of you who know your Japanese numbers will know that the Shichi-Go-San festival means the Seven-Five-Three festival. I learned about this special event just a few weeks ago when one of my English students proudly...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
Next time you head to Shuri Castle, why not take a short detour and drop in Kyoko Art Gallery?
Kyoko Nakamoto is an Okinawan artist who has featured her work locally, in mainland Japan, and internationally in such places as New York City and Los Angeles. Her tiny gallery in the Shuri castle vicinity displays some of...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK
Whoop Hoop's bright yellow sign has always vied for my driving attention down by Araha Beach. With no children of my own, I've had little need to shop for childrens clothing, but this week I ventured in.
It's cheerful sign is not misleading - the children's fashions in Whoop Hoop are as cute as its exterior sign is bright.
Whoop...