CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Of course you want to bring your pet with you to Okinawa. YOU LOVE YOUR PET! Yes, the process can be confusing. But no matter how it goes down for you there will be piles of paperwork and months of waiting. Then when you arrive there are other hoops. This is a mountain of a topic....
Diann wants to know. You want to know. We want to know.
I’ve been wanting to ask. Indian is usually a slam dunk for vegetarians, but is anyone able to suggest other restaurants offering vegetarian fare? My experience during my two months here so far has been that menu items such as tofu and okra tend to be tofu and...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
I've been meaning to give props to this place for a while now. It's a locally based flower delivery service called FlowerDrop.net. While I was in the States several months ago and needed flowers delivered to my husband (yes, I believe that men need flowers too...), I used this site and was extremely satisfied with the service. ...
Kame Soba, originally uploaded by okinawa hai. (Click on the photo above for more pictures.)
Contributed by Julia
A few days ago we decided we were a little tired of the same old, same old so we drove around Foster looking for a new place to eat. We are typically on the prowl with stomachs grumbling around 5 pm; that would...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
This post inspired by Aviva's Saturday in Naha
Here in Okinawa, maybe in all of Japan, getting the most out of space is an art form. It requires more creative energy and ingenuity and at least a dozen degrees in civil engineering to achieve the genius that abounds here.
Let's just take parking as an example. You...
CONTRIBUTED BY AVIVA
My family of three went to Bambohe for lunch today on Kokusai. (Apparently there's a Bambohe over near Futenma too.) Their deal is that they have a buffet - it's all you can eat for 1 1/2 hours from when you arrive. Lunch is 1300 yen per adult, 370 yen for the little one (ours is 6)....
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Sorry about the title. I had to. Sue asked what to bring for the kitchen. I couldn't pass it up. You understand.
In my experience off-base, less is better since space is such an issue. We have four of everything except mugs because Joe broke one of those this morning. And when things break around here, I...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
I have spent some of my hottest and fullest days in Thailand. But those were single days. Husband-less and child-less. So I am not a real help for this next question. Although there is lots to do on foot in Bangkok I just didn't have my parent vision then so I can't confidently recommend much.
How about...
originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
I’ve always been a little late to the game. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 25 and then it took me another couple of years to get my first car. I didn’t get my first cell phone for another year after that. Had no clue what crocs were until they...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
I didn't even dare formulate this question in my head in my post-partum days. I don't think my delicate state of being could have withstood a trip to a Japanese clothing store where the bras would have been a much better fit for my neck than my actual apparatus. So for the brave lady who dared...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
My neighbor here in Mizugama lets her dog out as if he's a cat. Opens the door and off he goes. Leashless, human-less. So I suppose dogs can play anywhere. My dog got attacked by one of these unattached dogs while I was 17 months pregnant. Or at least I felt 17 months pregnant. ANYWAY, a...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
I aspire to be hippy enough to know the answer to this question. But, alas, when that fever strikes and my body shivers nothing can keep me from a shot of Nyquil. So I guess that keeps me out of the running for the crunchiest girl on island.
Furthermore, I don't even know what this stuff does...
Here's a puzzle I'm sure you all have pieces to: Jenn needs the team to huddle up for a moment and talk cell phones.
So, after being here 2 years I am officially fed up with cell phones!
When we arrived, we signed up for monthly plans at AU. The coverage was great, voicemail message could be in English, and a...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Because what if I get it in my head that I'd like to meet Joe in Thailand with my little munchkins in tow. Do I need to be talked off this ledge?
Give me the inside scoop. What tricks, tips and tales do you have up your sleeve?
CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON
My children love this and I usually take them here twice a year. The pony rides are only $10 and if we had more time, we would definitely do the lessons. My daughter is interested but I want to wait until she's a little older. Here's a picture of my very happy daughter getting a pony...
CONTRIBUTED BY LUCIA
One of the many things I love about Japan is dining out. In addition to all of the amazing choices, styles, and tastes available, I love the attention to detail and the stunning presentations. After having kids I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this also extends to young diners, too! Instead of super-sized servings of the...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
If you're looking for somewhere to go with "the girls," I have just the place. About a month ago while I was looking for BOULANGERIE COUQUES (genius that I am, I had left the directions on a piece of paper by the computer), I came across Patisserie Poruche. It's a lovely little cafe serving the MOST...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
I'm really interested in organics and locally grown produce and so was thrilled when a friend told me of the restaurant in the COSTA VISTA HOTEL. She said it's all organic or locally grown food (but I haven't been able to verify this). Either way, what a fantastic deal for a huge buffet! It only works...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
This latest question from Aviva made me realize that instead of solving this problem I had resigned to bare walls. Wasn't even much of a fight. But those of you with an instinct to decorate and make your home homey, perhaps you got to the bottom of this mystery.
So I'm cursing up a storm because the...
Kitakaisen, originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
(Click on the photo above for more pictures.)
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
Kitakaisen is one of my favorite places to eat on island. First off, you have to love a place that has a huge menu with pictures! Sushi, gyoza, california rolls, yakisoba, chicken fried rice, horsemeat sashimi; yeah, I’m quite sure I’ve seen that last one...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
We have an embarassing shortage of information about the life and times around Camp Kinser and Camp Courtney and McT. I've never even been to Courtney. I came close once though. Joe, my husband, got us tickets to a bull fight at Agena for Mother's Day. Because, as we all know, nothing shows mom you love...
This mom needs your help. Maybe this post could turn into a place to swap some relevant Japanese phrases and vocabulary. All I can offer is that the word allergy is the same in Japanese. More or less. Not helpful, I know.
Here goes:
My 4-year old son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. Does anyone have any insight into...
dango, originally uploaded by tokyogoat.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Meet DANGO.
You've totally seen these, haven't you? In exchange for a few yen you can indulge in grilled, sauced, chewy balls of rice. It's like barbecued gum. Gum that doesn't live for eternity (and beyond!) in your stomach.
I am a huge fan. Go forth and chew.
You should also know that some years...
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...
Renaissance Resort, originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
(Click on the photo above for more pictures.)
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
There is so much to do at the Renaissance Resort out by Onna that I hardly know where to start. For a flat fee of 1260 yen (starting from age 6 and up) you can use their outdoor pool, indoor pool, spa, sauna, Jacuzzi,...
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the many comments on this post we have closed comments. If you want to learn more about housing options on Okinawa please look through our On Base and Off Base housing posts. If you can't find the answers you're looking for, you may want to join one of our online communities. Thanks!
These questions just came...
CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS
An updated review of this animal park:
Neo Sign
On our way to Okuma one weekend, we decided to stop and check out the Zoo I had heard so much about called “Neo Park Okinawa.” We weren’t disappointed! This place is a treat if you love animals. We first went on a train ride around the entire park...
CONTRIBUTED BY MELISSA RUISZ
Istanbul Front
Istanbul Kebab House in Sunabe has a cozy, earthy vibe, as if you were invited to your Turkish friend's large college dorm room. Red paisley fabric covers 7 or so tables, and offsets the royal blue and white walls, decorated with an eclectic mix of colorful ornate plates and small rugs (some for sale), figurines,...
EDITOR'S NOTE: This attraction is now closed. We're leaving this post on the site so that those of you who may be looking for this information will be able to find it.
Monakids Jungle, originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
(Click on the photo above for more pictures.)
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
Chances are that you've been to Monakids Jungle at least a half a...