CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
Izakaya Jazzra is one of our favorite eating spots in Okinawa. We happened to try it out one night while exploring and were so thrilled to find a solid neighborhood place to come back to time and again. Moreover, it’s easy to find, practically right next door to the Awase Toys R Us in Okinawa City.
We...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
This weeks texture image comes from Pat and Dagny. We thought this was a great example of Okinawa texture: Concrete, sea, sky, cloud. I think that about sums Okinawa up in one photo! This shot was taken at Kadena North Seawall and the area was filled with local Okinawan surfers. So, if you are on your...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
If you think the only things to do outdoors in Okinawa involve crystalline water, swaying palm trees, and sandy beaches, think again.
In truth, the island has an alluring network of caves and forests to explore.
I have always wanted to swing on a vine in a forest
Recently, we discovered a little bit of this “underground” world when we...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK
At almost the moment we boarded the plane to Okinawa, my husband said “I hope they have a Fuddruckers on base”. Having never seen one on a military base and having sent his beloved 200 pound cast iron charcoal barbecue off to storage, he just sighed in despair. Sigh no longer, my hamburger-loving husband.
If you’re like...
CONTRIBUTED BY BETH OLMO
I used to say that the way to my heart was through my hair and it might be at least partially true. When my trusted Okinawan stylist recently transferred to a new salon in Urasoe City, I was heartbroken. I really didn't want to have to drive that far. Could it be possible that there is...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
This week Transport is brought to us with four furry legs and two rubber wheels...
The first photo was taken by Jenn Gass, former instructor at the Mihara horse riding stables. You can definitely maneuver yourself down the narrow Okinawa streets on horseback and have fun at the same time. I have also seen a few locals...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
Bios on the Hill is a forest and nature park located near Onna Village. I especially recommend it for children, but last weekend my husband and I went as a childless couple and we had a fabulous time.
There is a huge array of things to do and see. At the entrance, they give you a map...
CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
image courtesy of tartlime on flickr
Few visuals convey the idea of "East Meets West" quite like the one above. If you're anything like me, you were disappointed and a bit disgusted to see Golden Arches everywhere on this island. I didn't fly halfway around the world to eat at McDonalds, I wanted to experience Japan!
Hear me...
CONTRIBUTED BY LARISSA TRAQUAIR
If you have ever taken 449 to get to Sachi's Antique Store or Pizza In The Sky this building on your left will have caught your eye. The treasures inside are equally as artsy and intriquing as the outer building. The owner, Shiimada jiro, is an unassuming man who didn't study art or fashion in school -...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
This week RED was brought to us by Stephanie from Kadena...It was taken at the Torii Station Gate.
Over to Stephanie - "I was really lucky with the way the photo came out.
It was raining a lot that day and we were at the stoplight right outside the gate and I was messing around with camera and...
CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON
Anchor Shoji is a great place to find unique Okinawan pottery and kitchen ware such as teapots, plate sets, etc. The first floor, where you enter, has more of the high end items with a huge variety to choose from. Personally, I love teapots and their large selection gives you a lot to choose from.
This is a...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
Got Kool and the Gang on my mind this morning...Celebration time c'mon, let's celebrate. Well, I guess everyone was too busy preparing to celebrate last week to submit any images, so you will have to be subjected to one of my own that I have plucked from my flickr stream! I hope everyone had a great...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
I have one of those final-to-see checklists now that I only have one month left here. There is a spot on my checklist for "I always drive by that sign/ or store- now is the time to check it out'. I often drive by the Futnema shrine on the way to pick up my son, and I happened to...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
In Okinawa, we are fortunate to be able to attend a traditional tea ceremony as practiced in Kyoto, the cultural center of Japan. I recently witnessed one as part of my personal"Month of New Challenges".
The Tea Ceremony as we know it today originated during between 1336-1573 for samurai warriors and has been passed down through the...
CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
Crispy on the outside, tender tastiness on the inside
There's a new Gyoza joint in town, and it's literally right around the corner from where you're sitting. I'm talking about your kitchen. Yes, your kitchen. Don't shake your head at me. I have faith in you. I have a friend who doesn't cook (you know who you...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
This week I am featuring a 'fish' of the wobbly kind. The beautiful Jellyfish. I could watch these for hours at the Okinawa Aquarium and Heather Nordell has captured a great shot of a few of them...(I will presume that's where this shot was taken, couldn't get a hold of Heather)...
Best to see them from behind...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE
My daughter was born when we were stationed in Germany, and I always felt grateful that the society we lived in was not only accepting but encouraging of mothers who chose to breastfeed their babies. No matter where we went, it was easy to find special “Mother Rooms” in public locations, but at the times when...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
Looking for different nightlife in Okinawa? Interested in collecting unique art? A few weeks ago, my husband and I checked out an art gallery called Cotohoha Artspace and Café. It’s a relatively new venue that features local and expat artists in Okinawa.
The owner is Daryl Mitchell, a Baltimore native, who’s been living in Japan since the...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE
Let's say you're staying at Okuma and you've run out of food in your ice chest, or perhaps you can't stand the thought of eating at the Surfside Restaurant one more time. Maybe you're driving through on your way to Cape Hedo and you're hungry but there's no McDonald's in sight. Where do you go? What...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
Like everywhere, Okinawa is full of it. Fashion that is. From the kitschy little key chains dangling from clothes to the knee high socks with a mini skirt to top it off. From full coverage armbands and massive head visors to the traditional round straw hats. That's just some of it that comes to mind.
This week,...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
The Kerama Islands are a chain of lush subtropical islands about 20 miles away from Naha Port. Even before we moved to Okinawa, my husband and I had heard about the perfect snorkeling and scuba diving conditions there.
Eager to see for ourselves, we booked a snorkeling trip through Tours Plus on Camp Foster, and despite a somewhat...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
Where do you buy your home decor on the island? Not art, but I guess what you might call "interior goods." Towels, linens, table settings, candles and such?
Me, I got a cool rug for my bedroom at Mixx Life Style. A nifty dish scrubber thing at maxplus. Coffee spoons, curtain rods and kitchen mats from places like Ramayana. I like...
CONTRIBUTED BY PAMELA OLIVERAS
So, rainy season is officially upon us (May, June). However, Okinawa, in my experience is just one of
those random rainy places. Maybe every month can be considered a rainy season?...
So, rain, who needs it? Well, we all do here on Okinawa apparently, because we don't want to have to deal with implemented water rationing that I...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE
We have lived here on island for almost ten months now, and somehow I've managed to avoid making a trip to Toys R Us in all that time. Call me a mean mommy, but I don't bring my kids toy shopping all that often.
But when I found myself heading down to Naha for lunch with friends,...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE
This past week, I got adventurous. I decided to take a trip with my kids... to Toys R Us in Naha. {cue eerie music here} We were only there for a quick look-see, but on our way out of the store we heard the melodious tones of children laughing and shrieking. The sounds of fun.
Given that...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE
As a parent, there are many milestones that we anticipate for our children: first time rolling over; taking their first steps; saying their first words. Getting their hair cut.
When my daughter was just over a year old, her hair was growing out a bit erratically; her bangs were too long and in her eyes, but it...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
Goya. Pronounced (goooy-yah). When I first heard the name, I was wondering how it related to my favorite canned food brand. With a canned food image in mind, I then noticed a few Goyas hanging from lattice work or trellices in homes around Okinawa. It's not everyday that you see a member of the gourd family,...
CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
If you're in the Courtney/McT area looking for a decent meal for a decent price, the Chinese Dragon is the place for you. I've been there twice now, and both times our food was tasty and cheap. Lunch sets consist of the main course, rice, soup, chicken nuggets, pickled veggies and a drink four about Y650.
This...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
***WARNING*** Big BELLIES Ahead -- May not be suitable for the faint of heart!
Four years ago during my first pregnancy, I was reading a Pregnancy magazine (as I think I ONLY did for that first baby) and came across an article about temporary henna tattoos done on pregnant bellies. Being a non-tattoo person (can’t imagine any...
CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY
As an American here, I have depended on the Community Bank, G.I Bill Pay and Military Postal Service for most of my banking and mailing needs. I'm sure most of the military families here have done something similar.
While my cousin and aunt were at my apartment, Skyping with my mother, who lives in the states, I had...