Living overseas has its challenges, and a commonly agreed upon one is finding that perfect place to live. To help those of us who are curious about the different options for living on Okinawa, readers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about on-base housing. If you live in an off-base house that has not yet been...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
When I first moved to Japan, I was stunned by the amount of people wearing face masks. Was there some recent communicable disease outbreak that I had not heard of? What was I catching as a result of being mask-less?
It's no surprise to find out that in Japan, as well as other Asian countries, people take serious personal responsibility...
CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA
Okinawa Pet Food (OPF) is the cutest little pet boutique geared towards dogs and cats! The perfect place for anyone who loves to spoil their animals as much as I do! Don’t let the name fool you, they have MUCH more than just pet food. They have everything from cushy dog beds to Ed Hardy shirts and...
CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY
No matter how seasoned I think I am in this military life, (from military brat, in the military and now military spouse) a new situation seems to lurk its way into my comfort zone and shake things up. A roller coaster of ups and downs. This is our dilemma:
We're PCSing this summer. Our DEROS is August and...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GARCIA
There was a time when my "go-to" foreign language was Spanish. If I needed to speak a language other than English--any language--my brain would shuttle Spanish words up to my lips and out of my mouth. I'm sure I've befuddled many an Okinawan with my Dondes and Por favors. But on a recent trip to Tus...
Living overseas has its challenges, and a commonly agreed upon one is finding that perfect place to live. To help those of us who are curious about the different options for living on Okinawa, readers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about on-base housing. If you live in an off-base house that has not yet been...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
It's Saturday morning. Were your ears burning- because I was thinking of you, reader. Hopefully you didn't drop your mirror, and run to your computer in anticipation of a new post. *Sneeze* (God bless myself). I hope you took the time to toss some salt over your shoulder while enjoying your eggs. While some superstitions seem silly, many of us...
CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY
PCSing can be stressful enough with the sorting and planning and hoping. Hoping that no other stress inducing factors will be thrown in at the same time. But with the right amount of knowledge, planning and coffee (and if you don't drink coffee, pick your vice. Ice cream? Triathlon?) anyone can make their move a little...
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...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
After spending a fun weekend at Okuma, we drove home and made two worthwhile stops. As the brochure states, "For your happy time" you should swing by the Orion Beer Factory. Interesting place, which surpringsly produces 72,000KL/year. That's alot of brew. If you want to call and make a reservation for the brewery (large groups) call (0980) 54-4103.
After the tour, we went...
CONTRIBUTED BY SNUFF
Editor's note: The name has changed since the original post, along with class times. It's now "Reebok Crossfit Asia" and we've posted an updated schedule (as of April 2013) below. Thanks to Laura Snell for keeping us up-to-date!
Let me give you a little background about myself. I’m not a big fan of working out. I know I...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GARCIA
After months of not needing to contribute to my own column, my baby and I made it on a little field trip a few weeks ago though that made me all excited and wanting to shout its praises from a mountaintop. I think I went back to the shop like twice that same week such was...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER HANSEN
Two weeks ago, I took my parents to Kokusai Street. I love taking trips there because it’s where my favorite chocolate shop, Ma Kukuru, is located. I’m somewhat obsessed with their chocolate. Since I don’t go to Kokusai very often, every time I’m there I stock up and then inevitably my stash dwindles and I...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
Have you ever been curious about that huge albino- carrot looking vegetable that you see? The first time I noticed one, I thought it could be something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Behold, it is a Japanese Daikon, which actually in Japanese means "root". When I first moved to Japan, I was not quite sure how...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMANDA
My husband, son and I love to go to Peter's Place. It's the best Chinese we've had on island! The bottom floor of the restaurant has beautiful furniture for sale, and the actual restaurant is on the second floor. The tables and furniture used are also examples of what you can find downstairs.
The environment is amazing,...
Editor's Note: Shikinaen Garden was originally reviewed on Okinawa Hai on February 12, 2009; you can read a PDF copy of that original review HERE. The post below is an updated take on this restaurant, published November 13, 2014.
CONTRIBUTED BY KASSIE O'DRISCOLL
My sister-in-law and I ventured out to Shikinaen Royal Gardens for her birthday. We got lost often, but it was okay...
Living overseas has its challenges, and a commonly agreed upon one is finding that perfect place to live. To help those of us who are curious about the different options for living on Okinawa, readers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about on-base housing. If you live in an on-base house that has not yet been...
CONTRIBUTED BY STEPHANIE BORUD
When you walk into the Perestroika, you step into a mini version of Russia (like I've ever been!) The music that's playing just makes me wanna squat and kick my legs out! (Stop trying to picture it!)
We're invited to seat ourselves by Chef Ekaterina as she hands us our menus. I opened up the menu to...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER HANSEN
I’ve had a bit of a time locating a store on the island that sells a decent selection of wine. I’d almost given up on finding anything like what I was looking for. And then, on Sunday, the store sort of fell into my lap.
We were driving down the 58 toward Naha and saw the chain store/restaurant...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
This is our third overseas tour, so we are very accustomed to the long anticipated and long lasting family visits to our neck of the woods. These visits happen once a year, once a tour, or once in a lifetime for many of our guests. My parents got their first passports in their 50s, not for...
Living overseas has its challenges, and a commonly agreed upon one is finding that perfect place to live. To help those of us who are curious about the different options for living on Okinawa, readers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about on-base housing. If you live in an off-base house that has not yet been...
Editor's Note: We also have another post about Satsubun, written by Joelle, that tells a bit more about this festival.
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
While Americans eagerly await Puxatawny Phil to predict the length of winter, the Japanese are celebrating the first day of spring (which begins February 3rd) with a tradition called Mame Maki. Apparently, many Japanese families scatter roasted...
CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
It's no secret that there is a ton of "stuff" to do in Okinawa. Whether it's eating, shopping, hanging out, etc, one need never be bored on this island. Some of us get a rush seeing a 75% off sale on Coach purses. Others like the thrill of hunting down a great burger place.
But what does...
Living overseas has its challenges, and a commonly agreed upon one is finding that perfect place to live. To help those of us who are curious about the different options for living on Okinawa, readers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about on-base housing. If you live in an off-base house that has not yet been...
CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
Are you eager to try the restaurant from our last post, but don't want to drive all-the-way-to-Nago "just" for that? Are you looking for something to do around Nago that doesn't involve pineapples, citrus fruits, or fish tanks? Then read on, because hiking around Nakijin Castle Ruins and its related Museum is definitely worth the trip!
The adventure begins...
Editor's Note: A commenter has let us know that as of May 2015 the menu at the British Wine and Tea Shop has changed; no meals are being served, though tea service and light snack food items are still available. Always call ahead before making the trek to this establishment to confirm their hours of operation (English spoken).
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE
PHOTOS...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARIANN
When I asked the hub yesterday where he wanted to go for his final dinner before deployment, he quickly answered Sam's By The Sea. For New Year's, we went to the Rose Garden (little Italian joint on 330) and had run into the owner and he was swell... Ranted and raved about his cooks,...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER HANSEN
Let’s talk clothes.
I have no idea where they myth got started that there aren’t any cute clothing stores on this island. It’s just not the truth! There is lots of cute stuff here, as my wallet can attest to.
I’ve already highlighted two clothing stores that I like, Roseri and Outlet-J. I’d like to introduce you to...
CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
In case you've ever wondered what those cheerful store clerks are chirping at you when you walk in the door, it's "Irashaimase!" which translates to "Welcome!"
I've been practicing this phrase over and over, much to the amusement of my Japanese host family. It sounds deceptively simple: Ee-rah-shay-mah-say. However, the "rah" part is more of a "d'lah" sound...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GARCIA
(Sorry, this is a horrible picture of the exterior. My camera skills are not enough to get the whole name in w/out running across a crazy busy street. But, just so you get an idea of what to look for!)
Last week I went out with a bunch of friends to the Chinese restaurant, "Peacock" out on...