CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER HANSEN
King Furniture is one of my favorite furniture stores on the island. I swear if I had the room and the money, I would buy most of the furniture there.
If you’re looking for an authentic Asian style piece of furniture, you need to check out this place. It’s “authentic” as in – they make the pieces...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
She waited tables. For several years. But at 23 she found herself beginning to look around at the 45 year old women who were also waiting tables and decided maybe she wanted more. Maybe she wanted to be rich and famous.
So she got herself back to college at the University of Arkansas, got a degree in...
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 HEATHER NORDELL
I thoroughly love being a stay at home Mom. I am so glad I am able to stay home and spend time with my girls. Of course being a stay at Mom is not all sunshine and rainbows. It is very hard work and truthfully it can get a bit lonely. After I had my first...
CONTRIBUTED BY SHILOH CROFT
· First stop was the Forest Adventure office in Onna where we read the rules, signed a waiver and paid admission.
· Next we drove our vehicle across the street to a dirt parking area, and climbed into a shuttle van, which took us to the park itself.
· After a short trek on foot from the shuttle...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
This beach shack's full name is "Neko House Fresh Fruit Smoothy and Lunch". Okay, it's not really a beach shack as it's, well, not on the beach. It's across from Lawson's actually, right off 58. But it's got that vibe. Laid back and easy-going. And really, really small. I barely noticed it yesterday on the way to...
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
The deserted hotel. It's haunted. It's ominous. And I've been hearing about it since I moved here. But then again, I was wondering if it's like those popular urban legends that you hear about in any community back home. You've heard em...The McDonald's ball pits (filled with hypodermic needles), people getting their kidneys "stolen" in Vegas...You...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER NORDELL
Volunteering is such a wonderful thing and many of us want to do our part to make the world around us a better place. Opportunities to volunteer abound on this tiny island they come in many different packages. No matter your interest there is an organization you can volunteer your time and talents to. One of...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
Some folks are really into soba. I usually do not count myself as one of these people, but my love for things Okinawa has been in overdrive of late so I find myself hankerin' for local fare. I haven't hopped all over the island for the best soba spot though (but I'd love to hear from any...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER NORDELL
By definition Bento is a meal (typically lunch) served in a box. The longer you live in Japan and the more bentos you see the more you come to realize they are so much more. Bento making is an art form is taken very seriously by some. A typical Japanese Mother can spend almost an hour...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
I am always excited to get an invite to a wedding. However, I have yet to be included in a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony. A local reader e-mailed us needing help on the proper etiquette that is appropriate to attend this big event. Needless to say, you won't be printing out the wedding registry at the...
CONTRIBUTED BY CHRISSY MILLER
We booked the trip through HIS travel here on Okinawa, so all of our airfare, hotel accomodations, and some meals were included (actually Kev and I enjoy eating out so the only meals that were included were breakfast). Hong Kong is a mere 2 hour flight away from Okinawa, so we were able to fly direct...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
You ever order a bowl of soba and see that pink and white thing sitting in there and wonder, "what's this?!" or "Nani kore?" It took me ages to find out that it's a fish cake. And while it's very pretty with its swirls and its pink, something about it, the sheer colorfulness of the thing...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
I've had good intentions of mustering up my piles of clutter and schlepping them down to the local flea market. And I have even gone as far to check out a site on getting prepared here. I just never manage to physically get it all together. Every time I think of organizing myself to do it-...
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 KIMBERLY MITCHELL
The first time I ordered zenzai, I got a giant bowl of shaved ice with a scoop of ice cream on top. It looked delicious. And it was. But I was in for some more surprises as I dug in. After a few bites, I found a little mochi ball. What a treat! I love mochi....
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
The Laws of Evening by Mary Yukari Waters
We read this as a part of my Foster book group. The book is a collection of eleven well written short stories that explores life in Japan- post World War 2. The perspective is mainly from Japanese women who have lost their husbands, brothers or fathers- and experience American...
CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY
My parents flew into Okinawa from Seattle a couple of days ago and since, we've been meeting and greeting relatives. One of my aunts asked me if I get lonely without my parents and sister around. Of course I do. But the sting of loneliness is easily relieved via my computer. I keep in touch with...
CONTRIBUTED BY KIMBERLY MITCHELL
From the reader mailbag, we found this one about adoption. Maybe some of you readers out there can help shed some light.
From Janeth:
We are new to the island. One of the things my husband and I have been discussing is adoption. I have a history of complicated pregnancies and delivery so we have concluded that may...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
There is probably something offensive about a pregnant woman writing about a cure for hangovers. But, I am a sissy for being nauseous so I've thought of fellow porcelain worshipers out there as I have endured this (five month journey of hell). Misery DOES love good company. Anyhow, my information is not for pregnancy. It's for...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER NORDELL
My parents instilled a love of live theatre in me from a very young age. My family has always been involved in local community theatre. At first it was just my father and then my sisters began to act in the plays as well. While I was never able to overcome my intense stage fright I...
CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON
This cool place was recommended by our very own "To Learn" editor, Staci.
Okinawa Select Shop is definitely an interesting place to visit. When Staci first wrote to me about it, I'd thought it would be a gift shop offering all things Okinawan, but in reality, it is a place to go for your health!
Have you ever...
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 HEATHER NORDELL
Since I was little I have loved to watch people bowl. There is something about watching the ball roll quickly down the lane and knocking all of the pins over – it really is a beautiful sport. Now if I was the one bowling it would be more like “watching the ball roll down the lane...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
So last week's post was about coffee. And this week's post is about coffee. I've been kind of obsessed with the stuff lately. I think it started at Jusco about a month ago. I was there with my friend, Nana, doing a little window shopping when I honed in on a booth giving out coffee samples. We...
CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON I was referred to these stores by two different people for two different things but it turns out they both provide the same kinds of supplies. Before, I was looking for a pot large enough to have a steamer at the bottom for tamales cooking on the top. My friend Sato showed me Sanwa...
CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY
Imagine this scenario: You breathe a sigh of relief because Fido and the entire family made it to Okinawa. Routines are established, you hang up your hat and its home-sweet-home. Amazing beaches, a new culture, great food and new friends. What more could you ask for? Just when you ask that question, you get an answer. ...
CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY
You rarely see them hanging around. Luckily, I've caught a pic of two that are well-done. You may call them those huge bug- slash- fly things. You hear their acoustic serenades in trees (sometimes at night). What are they?
They are the CICADA.
A fascinating insect, they mainly call home to places resembling life in the deep...
CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON
“You are wise to climb Mt. Fuji, but a fool to do it twice.” ~Japanese proverb
The Experience - Diana’s point of view ~
Jeff and I started up the mountain shortly after 10 p.m. and it was easy going at first. It’s difficult to see at night so a headlamp is a must. We hiked for a...