Contributed by Kristine Kohut
I didn’t just fall in love with Okinawa. I fell in love in Okinawa, during my second tour there. Steve and I had so much in common: both Air Force brats, both into photography, both into our faith, both love to read, both prioritize travel, and both adored living in Okinawa. Ask either of us, and...
CONTRIBUTED BY LUCIA
It is always amazing to me that modern children now "need" so much gear when compared to past generations and tribal groups, but that seems to be the case. As much as Babies R Us gives me a headache and as much as I swore never to accumulate so much "stuff" for such little people, I have...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
Does anybody have any suggestions for a good place to study Japanese? I went to Owles Language Center in the outer reaches of Ginowan for a while and it was great, but too far. I'm in Yomitan. I'm looking to study either in a class (preferably) or privately with someone who: a) knows their grammar b) will...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
As all of you new families arrive on Okinawa, our mailbox is filling up with your great questions. Keep them coming, big and small. The larger our community becomes here, the more we can help each other make these island years rock. As they should. As they will.
Here's a question:
Is there any place in particular to...
originally uploaded by downtownjuliebrown.
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIE
So I love this little hole in the wall on Sunabe. It meets all my standards for a good restaurant. Great food fast, relaxed atmosphere, and super cheap. Definitely the ultimate value as the ocean side view alone is worth the 790 yen. Plus the name is just so, well, FAB. They serve 8...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
My husband is home again and my mother is still in town. You know what that means. That's right. Every night can be date night. It all sounds blissful until we start getting down to the details like where exactly are we going to go. And what are we going to do. And didn't we used...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
You're safe and dry, right? And your lawn or sidewalk is piled high with typhoon carnage. And your power is on. And the windows are quiet. And the dog isn't a quivering parasite on your left leg. And you've stopped panicking about the possibility of the windows blowing in which means you've also stopped putting your...
originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
I just decided what I'm going to be for Halloween.
A Tobi. Or a tobi. Not sure if a capital letter is called for. But for the sake of the clever and fashionable one-two punch of the pants and shoes, I think a capital is warranted.
Tobi means something like “scaffolding man/woman” in...
CONTRIBUTED BY LUCIA
I am hoping this is the first in a series of posts about traveling with kids. Since this is the time of year for those especially long trips (PCSing, summer trips back to the States, etc). I thought it might be helpful to share some survival tips.
When we first arrived in Okinawa our son was five months...
CONTRIBUTED BY DOWNTOWNJULIEBROWN
A while back ago I woke up at 6 am to find my sister (who was visiting from the states) in full panic mode. Turns out that her 4-year-old son caught one of the many respiratory viruses that linger here in the Okinawan humidity. He had woken up at 3 am coughing, congested, and wheezing with asthma....
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
My mother is in town so some questions were asked. You know, about these here Japanese toilets. I did some research.
While the traditional toilets are not exclusive to Japan I have yet to see one on American soil. I unearthed an animated how-to on this topic. I hemmed and hawed about whether or not to include...
Family Land, originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
(Click on the photo above for more pictures of Family Land.)
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
Julie and I recently checked out this indoor play place thanks to a tip from our friend Anna. The kids absolutely loved it! It's hard not to love a place that has ball pits, slides, bouncy areas, and plenty of...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
We recently received this e-mail. Let's help a lady out, shall we?
A couple of months ago my husband and I learned that we would be moving to Okinawa in the fall. There have been ups and downs through the process of finding out where to live, how to get there, what to bring, etc. Now I...
speed limit, originally uploaded by icecream ivy.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Last July, my mother flew to Okinawa to hold my hand through Henry's newborn days. Meals were prepared. Messes were cleaned. Laundry folded. Diapers changed. Pep talks given. Sleep granted.
It was magical.
But it was even more magical for Maltsby, our dog. My mother walks in a serious fashion. Like for...
Sanja Matsuri, originally uploaded by ajpscs.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Wow.
I just spent a delirious hour clicking hither and yon on the internet finding out more and more about tattoos in Japan. Friends, there is much to be learned!
I really only meant to try and understand more clearly why tattoos are banned in some public places like baths and water parks...
The title of this video is: Magic Chicken! We can fly! - Japanese j.h. ESL commercial. You'll be glad for that clarification.
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY
Just wanted to let you guys know about two books that might interest you if you are moving to/ living in Okinawa. One is called Women of Okinawa: Nine Voices from a Garrison Island by Ruth Ann Keyso. This is compilation of interviews with nine Okinawan women from different generations, who tell us about growing up sharing the...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY
It’s summer. You want some new clothes. Some hip clothes. The kind of clothes that you can’t find at the PX and you don’t feel like ordering on the internet ‘cause you want to touch them, try them on, feel somewhat fashionable again. Your needs are simple. You want to be inside a store and you want...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
There was much sweating involved in getting my driver's license here. Aside from the relentless heat which made me cry at least twice, I was cast backwards in time to my school days when tests happened. Written tests. Tests with grades. Tests you could FAIL. And I was afraid to fail the driver's test more than...
originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
CONTRIBUTED BY LUCIA
Although we no longer live in Okinawa, the rhythmic tempo of PCS season remains with me. I remember the thrill and the challenge of arriving on the island....the search for housing, the strange car buying process, the over abundance of concrete architecture, the breathtaking sunsets, the intense heat, and the exhaustion of absorbing...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Are you looking for a beach that screams "back to nature" but is kid friendly as well? Toguchi Beach is all that and more. This beach makes me feel like I'm on the set of "LOST" because it's isolated and wild in some parts. The views from some of the bluffs are breathtaking.
And yet, they have...
Seafood Mos Burger @ Taipei, originally uploaded by mralenlin
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Presenting rice buns (RICE BUNS!) at every Mos Burger across town. Just look for the scarlet arches and put one of these yum-yums in your belly. The food comes fast but the chalkboard easel outside the entrance lists the local vegetables in use and the farmers who farmed...
originally uploaded by juliamagnolia.
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
This park is near the Gushikawa Jusco mall and has a lot of fun things to do. There is a large roller slide surrounded by a cement slide and climbing walls. There's also a wooden play structure where kids can climb, slide, swing, or brave the balance beams. There is plenty of open space...
originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Eli started school back in April which might as well have been a lifetime ago. It was most certainly years ago when I felt like THIS. He attends a Japanese preschool called Oseibo Yochien near Kadena Gate 2. Eli loves it. I love it.
Love, it's in the air.
On Mondays every mandated supply...
La Fonte, originally uploaded by kahoristori.
CONTRIBUTED BY KAHO
If you are looking for a good Italian restaurant in Okinawa, “La Fonte” is the place for you. This restaurant uses organic food, so if you like good Italian food with healthy ingredients, you have to check out this place. They have a lunch buffet everyday, even on weekends. They have a...
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA & KAHO
Seaside Jet City Burger's Avocado Burger, originally uploaded by kahoristori.
Click the above image for more photos. Also click HERE to see earthhopper's photos. And HERE to see Julia's take on the place.)
I've only tried a couple of their burgers but I was pleasantly surprised. It's not often that you find a pineapple burger with avocado...
Comprehensive Water Park, originally uploaded by juliamagnolia.
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
It was already a hot day today but I'm sure it will only get worse as summer approaches. One good thing about that is that there will be plenty of opportunities to head to Comprehensive Water Park. With three water slides, two kiddie pools, and a lazy river it's a great...
originally uploaded by okinawa hai.
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Last time we went to Wakatake Park, Julie had the brilliant idea to make origami boats and float them down the stream. It was a huge hit for Eli. So was getting wet.
Watatake Park has water to play in, a playground to romp on, a field to spin in, a wall to...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
Has anyone bought slipcovers for their government couch/chairs? I guess I should ask, has anyone bought slipcovers for gov't sofa/chairs that look GOOD? I bought one from the PX and it just look like I threw a sheet over my sofa or something - YUK! (Perhaps that was just due to my unskilled slipcovering technique???) Is there...