CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF

There is a new little secret tucked away on Highway 6 on the way to Maeda Point. If you live in Yomitan, I guarantee that you want to know more about it. It is an Okinawan dinner joint named Chakashiya, only open from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. They serve Okinawan food with a twist, and have a huge selection of drinks.

I was on a selfie date, and in search of dinner on Friday night. At 7:30 p.m., this place was lit up with festive twinkle lights, up-and down the front doors, so much so that it was hard to tell where the handle was to the entrance.

This café is new and crispy clean on the inside, with island music humming a flirty tune. Carefully hung posters cover the wall on the left, and Awamori bottles stack to the ceiling on the right, showcasing Chakashiya’s elegant yet social personality. One room makes up the entirety of the café dining area. Although small, it can seat a party of up to eight people, in Japanese or American-style seating. The bar, directly in front of you as you walk in, has a window into the kitchen. This makes it easy talk to the chef about any questions you have about the expansive (English) menu.

A wide variety of food selections are available, from the chef’s salad, to their specialty, grilled mussels with urchin sauce. They have local Okinawan specialties such as the daily catch sashimi, plum gyoza, Japanese style noodle bowls, and more universal chicken, beef, pork and rice dishes.

The service was excellent. I was seated immediately, and given just the right amount of time to look at the menu. My meal came out within minutes of ordering, which surprised me since I am used to the slower island pace, from traffic to food service. I ordered two of the local specialties, the silken tofu with rabbit fish and the grilled mussels with urchin sauce.

The chef was so concerned about my satisfaction that he came out to show me the bottle of rabbit fish in salty fish sauce to make sure that I knew what I was ordering. Both dishes were heavenly, and unlike anything I have seen on menus elsewhere in Okinawa. The grilled mussels came out on a piping hot fajita-style plate.

The brûléed urchin sauce was so good that I was slurping it from the shells after finishing the five perfectly grilled mussels.

The cost of my meal totaled less than 1000 yen. This affordable café offers tapas-style dishes that are perfect for sharing. Most plates cost under 500 yen. They offer a large specialty drink menu, and a small selection of specialty desserts to include a honey toast with ice cream. It was a perfect way to end my working week!

Directions: This tiny treasure can be found on the left side of Highway 6 as you are driving north towards Maeda Point. It is located in Yomitan, within walking distance from Torii Station gate one. It is right next to the brightly lit Toytoy sweets shop with the orange oval sign. You can type their phone number (098-957-5050) into Google maps, and the location will pull right up for you.

Address: 2256 Sobe, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan

GPS Coordinates: 26.38626500818726, 127.73420804257512

Phone: 098-957-5050

Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Payment: Yen

CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA

The atmosphere surrounding Kin Town outside of Camp Hansen has experienced a much-needed rebirth from a wild, single service member party town to a laid back area that now has something to offer to people of all ages and nationalities. One welcome addition to the Kin community, which has aided this transformation, is the elegant and delicious Dining Café KARI-YA. Conveniently located directly in front of the public parking lot adjacent to Camp Hansen Gate 1, this establishment’s colorful and inviting décor are hard to miss.

The large interior of the café is arranged in a such a way that virtually every table provides a unique and interesting perspective of the cafe. Seating varies from traditional tatami-style tables to partitioned off dining nooks which provide a good deal of privacy amongst guests.

There is even a large sound-proofed dining room that can be reserved for large parties of up to twenty people. This particular space would be ideal for a unit hail and farewell or family birthday party. The large private room is even equipped with a karaoke machine, which can be rented for a modest fee of 2000 yen.

Dining Café KARI-YA offers entertainment activities that can be done for a small fee, such as darts and a very impressive Golf simulator. The Golf simulator is 6000 yen for one person per hour, or 3000 yen per person for two people per hour, or 2000 yen per person for groups of three or more per hour during the week. Weekends and holidays are slightly more expensive but ladies receive a 500 yen discount at all times.

The menu items at KARI-YA are expansive, meticulously prepared and vary depending on if you arrive for dinner or lunch. At dinner time, the menu features both Japanese and Western-friendly dishes such as sushi, sashimi, pizzas, pastas, or steak to name a few. The prices also struck me as extremely reasonable, as the steak set was only about 900 yen and most other dishes were priced in the 700 yen range. My wife and I ordered the margarita pizza, stuffed fried cheese potatoes, and the maguro avocado gyoshifu salad.

Everything was tasty and well prepared but the dish that exceptionally stood out was the marguro avocado gyoshifu salad; served with a creamy wasabi sauce drizzled on top. It was crazy good and goes on my top ten most awesome things I have had on this island list. I actually think I want to be buried with a plate of it when I die. Of note, there are two avocado marguro dishes. The one I rave about is specifically the gyoshifu dish.

Moving on, I ordered a glass of iced coffee and my wife ordered the iced tea. The tea was smooth but the coffee was that powerful concentrated variety which makes an expresso seem like chocolate milk. My wife, being the iron-clad coffee drinker in the family, thought it was just perfect; we eventually switched drinks.

I enjoyed the meal so much that my spouse and I decided to go the next day and try the lunch menu. Lunch comes with an entrée and the option of ordering the meal as a “set,” which means unlimited trips to the soup, salad, drink, and dessert bar. This is what the Japanese refer to as “Viking style.”

I ordered the Tandoori chicken and my wife had the agu pork plate; both meals were also ordered upgraded to sets. The total for each meal as a set was around 1400 yen which is very reasonable considering the portions and quality of the food. The tandori chicken was juicy on the inside and crispy spicy on the outside, which was perfect. The agu was tender and delicious.

Dessert was particularly tasty, as specialty ice cream and gelato made in Motobu is delivered and available to customers. The specialty gelato comes in traditionally familiar flavors such as vanilla and chocolate but also delves into the exotic palate with choices such as sugarcane, mango, macha, and awamori raisin.

The owners, managers and proprietors of Café KARI-YA are Kosei Uehara-san and his wife Kieko Uehara-san. After years in the construction and architecture business, the couple desired to bring quality cuisine to the multicultural community of Kin and provide customers a jovial fun place to spend their valuable time. The owners and staff are extremely friendly, with about half the workers speaking conversational English.

KARI-YA opened September 4, 2014 and is still expanding services and tweaking offerings. By the time this article posts there will be an English menu with plenty of pictures. Free WiFi will be installed in October 2014 as well as the ability to pay with a credit card. The night I had dinner I paid in yen and the next day for lunch I paid in dollars to make sure I was not giving bum scoop.

Directions: From the 8 expressway exit go north toward Camp Hansen on highway 329. Before getting to Camp Hansen Gate 1, look for a large public parking lot on the left as you go up hill. Café KARI-YA is directly across the street from the public parking lot.

Google Map Coordinates: 26.453974, 127.915426

Address: Japan, 〒904-1201 Okinawa, Kunigami District, Kin, Kin 国道329号線

Phone: 098-968-2688

Hours: Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Dinner 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. with the last order at 11:00 p.m.

Payment: Dollars or Yen, Credit will come online in October 2014.

CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF

Like any lady, I’m a sucker for chocolate. And boy have I found a great place to get my fix! After a tasty meal at Chakashiya, the restaurant next door, I stop to pick up the cutesiest, most decadent chocolate mousse cake I’ve ever tasted at the artisan sweet shop named Toytoy in Yomitan. This chic French-Japanese fusion bakery offers gorgeous and delectable desserts from cake, chocolates, cookies and other sweets.

My chocolate mousse treat comes in the form of Anpanman, a popular Japanese anime character, with colorful sugar wafers as the nose and earmuffs. A fine vanilla pudding hides stealthily inside.

The baker wraps my dessert in a beautiful package to protect the form on transportation. The elegant paper bag reads, “Passez un moment agréable: Les gateau délicieux nous apportent le bonheur.”  Have a nice time: the delicious cake brings us happiness. And happiness it does bring!

I use the tiny spoon that he provides to scoop small bites onto my tongue, savoring the rich cocoa bitterness, and feeling the sweet sugar melt. Each sugar wafer is a dessert in itself, and the hard chocolate shell detailing adds crunch and depth of flavor. The Japanese attention to detail and elegant design meet the rich and romantic flavors of Parisian patisserie. You simply must visit this tiny, local gem.

The owner also sells locally hand-crafted leather products such as wallets, coin purses, and even coasters. It is a great place to go if you are looking for gifts for family and friends.

Directions: Just north of Torii station gate one on Highway 6, it is on the left hand side on the way to Maeda Point. *Tip – Enter the phone number, 098-957-1701 on Google Maps to get a pin to the exact location.

Address: 2256-1 Sobe Yomitan Okinawa

Google Map Coordinates: 26.3861979, 127.73424750000004

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Website: Toytoy Bakery

Phone: 098-957-1701

Editor’s Note: We have another post all about Bise Village, but for more specifics about bike rentals, keep reading below!

CONTRIBUTED BY CASEY ANNIS

Bise Fukugi Tree Road is a little hidden gem just past Churaumi Aquarium and Expo Park. If you haven’t been there before I suggest you check it out. We drove past Expo and took the next left after the large new hotel. (There is a sign that says Bise Village on it.)

After driving past the hotel, you will come to a gray concrete bathroom facility.  Just past this bathroom, you will see a sign leading you down a narrow road that says, “Entrance to Bise Fukugi Tree Road.” Follow this road and you will come to a bike shop on the right side. Just past this shop (on the left side) there is a small parking lot with a “P” sign at the entrance. You can park here for free.

The bike rental shop is called “Fuku Ippuku Chaya.” The owner’s name is Kaneshi Takayuki. He was very nice, and he helped us pick out our bikes. There were several to chose from.

The cost is 300 yen for the first hour, and you pay as you check them out. If you keep the bike longer, you will be charged depending on how long you’d like to keep the bike. You can even rent them for 1-2 days if need be.

After riding bikes through this beautiful tree-lined town, we rode out to the sea wall and rode all the way to the end, which brings you very close to Expo.

We made a u-turn and cut back down the main road, stopping to pet a water buffalo. (They have buffalo-pulled carriage rides there as well).

After riding around for more than an hour (the owner didn’t charge us extra), we made our way back to the bike shop. We sat down at the bike shop’s covered outdoor picnic table area, and relaxed under the fans. I ordered a strawberry kaki gori (shaved ice) for my daughter without looking at the picture menu. I was kind of taken aback when it cost 650 yen. However, when I saw how massive this piece of art was, I realized why it wasn’t 300 yen.

On top of the ice portion of this large bowl was strawberry sauce and a huge scoop of strawberry ice cream. It took all three of us to tackle this dessert, and it was delicious! This capped off the end to a lovely little trip. I would recommend stopping here whenever you go up north; it was quite relaxing detour. One word of caution: there are a lot of mosquitoes around this town. However, you don’t need to bring your own bug spray because the bike shop has some sitting next to the bikes and luckily for us, the owner reminded us to use it.

Directions: Drive past Expo Park on 114 (heading north). Take the next left after the large new hotel. (There is a sign that says Bise Village on it.) After driving past the hotel, you will come to a gray concrete bathroom facility. Just past this bathroom, you will see a sign leading you down a narrow road that says, “Entrance to Bise Fukugi Tree Road.” Follow this road and you will come to a bike shop on the right side. Just past this shop (on the left side) there is a small parking lot with a “P” sign at the entrance. You can park here for free.

Address: 495 Bise, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa, Japan

Google Map Coordinates: 26.70360012444335, 127.88107124299165

Hours: Fuku Ippuku Chaya Bike Rental Shop is open from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily from April-September, and from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. from October-March.

Cost: 300 yen for the first hour

Website: Fuku Ippuku Chaya Bike Rental Shop. The page has maps, hours and even a video showing you the drive from the main entrance to his shop.

Phone: 098-048-2584, cell phone is 090-7920-9315

CONTRIBUTED BY ANABELA DA SILVA JENKINS

Traveling in Japan on a budget might seem challenging, but with a little planning and a good dose of adventure it is very well possible. If you are on a budget but you would like to visit Ishigaki Island, read on.

August was our time to visit Ishigaki-jima, one of the southernmost islands in Japan. Considering that August is the peak season for dream islands like Ishigaki, we thought that it would become expensive to attempt this trip, but we did it anyway. And by “we,” I mean two. The first step was to book the flight with the airline that offered the cheapest tickets. A quick search on Skyscanner showed me that the cheapest available was JAL Japan Airlines. We booked the flight one month ahead of time, but I had checked before and there were better options with Skymark and Peach. Planning ahead definitely pays dividends.

The next step was to book a place to stay – on a budget. We did not want to pay more than $20/night, which left us with few options to choose from, minding that in August Ishigaki was packed with tourists. It took me about two weeks to find a place to stay, since all the hostels were booked.

Eventually I found Shiraho Friends House. With a rate of 8.5 on Trip Advisor, we were confident that this would be a good stay at a great price, and we were not deceived. Shiraho Friends House has six dormitory rooms divided by male/female and a rate per night of ¥1800.

This friendly hostel is located only 8 minutes away from the new Ishigaki Airport and you can get there by bus (¥210 per person) or arrange with Hiro – Shiraho’s Friend House manager – to pick you up at a cost of Y600 for the trip. Shiraho is the first village and first stop after the airport, and if you do take the bus, the driver will most likely be able to guide you in the direction of the hostel – it seems to be famous around the island.

Through this amazing hostel we also arranged a car rental for ¥3000/day. We were welcomed into his home as friends. This hostel has all the amenities you need: free wi-fi, access to an equiped kitchen, common areas to socialize, and a view to the ocean since the beach is very close. It is clean and you will experience the relaxed, island life.

Expect to find Japanese-size bunkbeds and smaller rooms, but it’s comfy enough for a good night’s sleep after a day of exploring the island. A 6’5’’ monster reports to have slept well. No complaints. They also serve a delicious Japanese-style breakfast. This needs to be arranged the day prior and it costs only ¥350 for a good amount of a food. Amenities aside, what really made Shiraho Friends House the best hostel we have stayed at was its hosts. Hiro-san and Ryuji-san went above and beyond more than most.

Every morning we would hear a friendly, “Ohaiyoo gozaimasu,” followed by an honest concern about what our plans were for the day. We didn’t make plans because we quickly understood that Hiro had our back. “I teach you,” he would say while opening an island map, where he would draw the plan for the day with all the hidden gems that only locals know about. He would point out some of the touristy places as, “No good!”

We visited several beaches that seemed to be taken right out of a travel magazine or a postcard, little pieces of heaven right off-the-beaten-path. First we visited the southwest part of the island, where the famous Kabira Bay is located (pictured at the top of this article). We took a peak at the Club Med Resort, impressive in size but nothing compared to Shiraho Friends House in its positive energy.

Some of the places suggested by Hiro were Yonehara beach and campsite; the Palm Tree Groves, were you can enjoy a freshly squeezed sugar cane juice and possibly take a picture with a fruit crab; and Sunset Beach, on your way to northern tip of the island where the Hirakubo Lighthouse rests.

We visited the Gyokusendo caves – entrance fee is Y900/adult. It was well worth it since it leads to jaw-dropping private beaches where you can swim. We attempted to climb Mt. Nosoko, and our favourite of all beaches was Crystal Beach.

All these places and more were suggested by Hiro and we were fortunate to vist them all. He also pointed out local restaurants for travellers on a budget and happily let us enjoy his Taiwanese coffee.

This was only a 3-day trip to the crystal clear waters of Ishigaki, the lush green vegetation and its untouched beauty – on a budget. Hadn’t we gone on a late dinner with hungry fellow travellers, this trip would have cost us about $450 including airfare. A little over budget, but I strongly recommend a trip to Ishigaki and if possible for more than three days. Ishigakijima in itself has a lot to offer, and the proximity to other islands like Taketomi makes it even more enticing. Cut the cost and go on an adventure with Shiraho Friends House.

Contact information:

Website: SHIRAHO FRIENDS HOUSE – a guesthouse for travelers in Ishigaki-island

Manager: Hiro Yamada

Phone: 0980-86-8439 Fax: 0980-86-8448

E-mail: shiraho.f.house@gmail.com

The 2014 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2013, and for a limited time in the early months of 2014. Next year’s calendar will be available for purchase beginning next month.  

This was October’s page:

Nago Summer Festival 

Photo Credit: April Oliveras

“I have no clue how
This works. Oh wait, did we just
Win six hundred yen?” -Muneerah Bee

Naha Tug of War

Photo credit: Chris LaFauvre
L2K3photography.com

Naha Tug of War

Photo credit: Pete Leong
fotoshisa.com

CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER

When my husband first mentioned going to a Shishimai Festival I was a little hesitant, especially having a very wiggly and talkative 3-year-old. After doing some research, I discovered the festival is more of a performance with the traditional food vendors selling Okinawan delicacies and treats. I did a little more digging to make sure the performance would be something that engaged my daughter. What I found is that the Shishimai Festival takes place in Uruma City within the Agena Bullfight Arena. The performance is a very entertaining “lion dance,” aka shishimai. According to tradition, the dance is known to have the power to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune and prosperity to the region. The tradition has been passed down through the generations and the Shishimai is done annually to ensure prosperity.

This event doesn’t have just one lion dance; rather, there are performers from each of the different regions of Okinawa who come together to perform and celebrate the tradition of the lion dance. Although the root of the lion dance tradition comes from China, it has been absorbed into Japanese culture. The styles of each lion dancer vary by their region and you can definitely see the differences in the performances at the Shishimai Festival. The performers on Okinawa often dance to the “sanshin,” an Okinawan banjo, while dancers from mainland tend to perform to the sounds of flutes and drums.

The lions at the festival require two people to operate them; one person handles the head and front paws, and the other manages the rear paws and tail. The performances are lively, comical, acrobatic, and amazing. At times I was afraid performers would fall off the stage but they all knew exactly what they were doing. A couple of the lions even came out into the seats and wandered around so children could pet them during their performances. My daughter absolutely loved the lions and was constantly giggling and squealing with delight each time they jumped or rolled over.

The Uruma City Shishimai Festival is free to attend and is an annual event that normally takes place  in October. The arena is open to the elements and appeared to be actual ruins.

As for parking, we went with friends, but there did appear to be areas to park or you could go with one of the military MCCS Tours+ or Kadena ITT Tours that provide bus service to the event. If you are looking for a fun evening filled with culture, entertainment, and tasty food, then you don’t want to miss the next Shishimai Festival. It will be an experience you will never forget!

Directions: From Kadena gate 1 go north on 58 to 74 turn right onto 74. This will become 85.  Take 85 to 329, turn left onto 329. Take 329 to 88, turn right onto 88. Take 88 to 224, turn left onto 224. Take 224 to 8 and turn right onto 8. The Agena park will be on your left.

Address: 51 Iribaru, Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

Google Map Coordinates: 26.3811870315, 127.850522412

CONTRIBUTED BY DEVAN KACZYNSKI/ARCHIVE PHOTO

Whenever I’ve moved to a new place, I knew that if I needed to, I could go “home” within some short airplane hours. Moving here is different, and I should be more uncomfortable; I should be more scared that Texas is out and my circa-1975 concrete base housing bunker is now home. I do feel homesick, but it’s for the places I’ve never known.

The madness of a deployed husband while preparing to PCS to Japan brought out my crazy, and I’ve got to give the “keeping it normal” gold star to my sister Skylar for being and bringing the sanity to this journey.  Now, on to some of my not-so-proud moments …

Sorry to the Mr. Important Marine officer that I might have called incompetent and to the undoubtedly helpful and sweet-faced female Marine that I might have made cry. And, to the male overseas screener who asked me wildly inappropriate female health questions … I am not sorry.

To my 18 Kindergarteners that I left in North Carolina, I miss y’all so much. I’m sorry to my best friend for moving across the world when you’re seven months pregnant; Skype dates will have to be a new normal. Sorry to my liver for consuming too much red wine. I’m sorry to my family who has supported me and my husband no matter how far away we are. (Thank you Snap Chat.) I’m sorry to my two four-legged babies who I forced to make this move with me. You can chew up as much of my stuff as you want and I won’t be angry.

And, sorry to my husband for all the questions: “Will there be (fill in the blank - I’ve definitely asked it), in Japan?” I can’t wait to share this adventure with you!

The apology I never want to make is to myself for not collecting the moments that I’ve never known, the moments that I feel homesick for.  I may be lost, but I’m lost in the right direction.

CONTRIBUTED BY CASEY ANNIS

Does a quiet, tranquil get away sound nice? We thought so too. So we set out to find “Forest Villa,” hidden in the mountains of Motobu in Northern Okinawa.

When we arrived, we realized how secluded the home was. From the parking space the home disappears into the mountainside. We walked down a stairway and were immediately surprised by the size of the yard and the wooden deck that surrounds half the home. Outside there are two grills (one gas, one charcoal), and two tables with plenty of chairs so you can relax and enjoy either the oceanside or mountainside views.

In the evening it is so dark you can actually see the stars and feel like you’re alone.

This fully furnished three bedroom home has extra bedding and futons so you can sleep up to eight guests.

It has a shower, bathroom and a washer and dryer.

The living room has a TV, large L-shaped leather couch and dining area.

As an added bonus each room has individual air conditioning units.

Sliding glass doors open onto the deck from two bedrooms and the living room.

In the kitchen there is a refrigerator, gas stove, microwave, toaster oven, dishes, and utensils.

If you decide you don’t want to cook there’s a soba shop on the corner as you turn into the neighborhood. The beautiful beaches of Sesoko Island are only ten minutes away. This villa has everything you would want for a relaxing vacation, and was a peaceful escape from our busy lives.

Cost: Room rates vary from 18,000-24,000 yen/night depending on the time of year. Minimum stay is two nights.

Reservations: For booking details, maps, more photos and even a video visit the Air BnB website. Here you will also find a link to contact the host, Yutaka.

Directions: Take the expressway all the way North and exit onto Highway 58. Stay on Hwy 58 for 8.7 kilometers. Take a left onto Route 84 after passing the a new McDonalds (which is on the other side of 58). Stay on 84 for 11.4 kilometers. Turn right onto a side street after passing an Eneos gas station. The soba shop previously mentioned will be on the left side of the road at this stop light with a big red sign out in front. Go down 0.4 kilometers and take a left onto a side street going up a hill (stay to the right side). After 0.4 kilometers the sign for the villa and parking will be on your left side. You will need to drive down hill into their parking area as the reserved spot on this road is not for the villa (even though it says “reserved” on it). As you exit the parking space you will see a set of brick stairs leading you to the home.

Address: The exact address is not available publicly, but Forest Villa is in Motobu. Once you make a reservation, you receive the exact address.

CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTIN LITTLE

On a quest to find a snorkel spot for our first time snorkeling, and a place that was also safe for our 8-year-old, we found Oodomari Beach (Mama San Beach). Located on Ikei Island, this beach was exactly what I envisioned beaches to look like when we got orders to Okinawa.

The white sand drops into crystal clear water. We were only shin deep when we bent down and stuck our masks in the water. There were fish all around us!

It was amazing to see so many fish swimming around. For our first time snorkeling, it was an experience to remember! There were some coral spots a little deeper in, where there were even more tropical fish to swim with.

The beach itself has a roped-off swim area, lifeguard stand, shade areas for rent, food for sale, life jackets & tubes for rent, and bathrooms at the top near the parking. Bathrooms are squatty potties, but it’s better than peeing in the ocean! We brought a cooler, umbrella, and our own chairs and that was just fine.

Parking can get tight, but we went early in the morning, so we had no problems. There is also a parking attendant on duty, so I guess you are supposed to leave your keys in the car so they can move them around. For our first time ever snorkeling, it was exactly what we hoped for, and well beyond our expectations.

Cost: 500 yen per adult and 300 yen per child (we paid cash). You pay at the entrance and a woman handed us a paper explaining the price and parking.

Website: Oodomari Beach

Directions: From Kadena Gate 3, follow 85 all the way to 33. Turn left onto Route 33 to Route 37. Turn right on Route 37 (the second one that ends at the ocean). Take a left on Route 10 that crosses a bridge to Henza/Hamahiga Island. You will stay on 10 for awhile and go over Henza Island, Miyagi Island, and finally to Ikei Island. Once you get onto Ikei Island, you will see Ikei Beach just off the bridge. Keep going passed Ikei Beach. From here, it gets confusing for me to give you proper directions. You drive through some fields and are sure there is no beach around. Your best bet is to put this address into your maps: 1012 Yonashiroikei, Uruma-shi, Okinawa-ken, Japan and follow it, it will take you right to the beach!

Address: 1012 Yonashiroikei, Uruma-shi, Okinawa-ken, Japan

Google Map Coordinates: 26.3936459, 127.99160559999996

CONTRIBUTED BY EMILY BUREK

Menu – click to enlarge

When you live off base it’s nice to find a place to eat near home. Kintsuki Restaurant is a quaint little place just across from Kadena gate 4 and within walking distance to my house. They are open for lunch and dinner. My husband and I went there with another couple for dinner, around 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday.

After walking into a small hobbit-like door, you climb a spiral staircase that leads you to the dining area. There are only about five tables, with additional seating at a small bar.

We would have liked to sit at the table by the window overlooking Highway 58, but it had a reserved sign on it. Since we did not have reservations, we were seated in the middle of the dining room. Our table gave us a view of the bar and huge chalkboard menu.

Menu – click to enlarge

The atmosphere is romantic, but still trendy. The dimly lit area was great for a date night but would also be fun for drinks and appetizers.

There are menus in English and Japanese. The portions are small so I suggest ordering three items for two people. Some of the things we ordered were whole fried fish, the steak special, spicy Shanghai noodles and bacon and tomato pizza.

Everything was delicious, including the chocolate cake dessert.

Menu – click to enlarge

The bar is stocked with various spirits, but we stuck to beer that evening since they were on special until 8:00 p.m. Next time I would like to try the course menu, where you order a combination of four dishes from a set menu. I’ve also heard that their green curry is really good.

Hours: It seems they are open from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for lunch and then from 6:00 p.m. – midnight for dinner. Last order is half an hour before closing. The couple we dined with said that the place is run solely by a husband and wife, so you may want to call and verify they are open if you don’t want to be disappointed.

Phone: 098-956-1235

Payment: Yen only

Directions: From Kadena gate 4 go straight and turn left immediately on to the side street that runs parallel to the 58. Parking is right next to the building where there is an entrance to a tattoo parlor on the first floor.

Address: 〒904-0204 沖縄県中頭郡嘉手納町字水釜185−3 新城アパート 2F

Google Map Coordinates: 26.3585617, 127.74740480000003

CONTRIBUTED BY MATTHEW MATLOCK

Many of us a have jar full of pennies (or yennies) sitting on our counters or desks at this very moment, but when was the last time you actually thought about how much these single unit coins were actually worth?

Yen is comparable to the dollar in the sense that 100 ¥1 coins equal a single ¥100 coin, just as 100 1¢ coins equal a $1.00 bill.

However, the exchange is almost never at a one for one swap.

As the market changes, so does the value of currency in that nation. In my three and half years stationed in Japan, I have seen the Yen rate drop as low as ¥75=$1, and as high as ¥110=$1.  The lower the yen-to-dollar rate, say ¥75=$1, the more valuable the yen becomes, and less valuable the dollar is. Vice versa, the higher the yen-to-dollar rate goes, ¥110=$, the less valuable the yen becomes, and the value of the dollar goes up respectively. With yen rates around ¥100=$1 there will be less of a difference between to the two currencies. Actually, with a rate of ¥100=$1 there is no difference in exchange, and this is where the term “one for one” comes from. One for one literally means 1 USD (US dollar) for 100 JPY (Japanese Yen).

Well, now you may be thinking, “Why do I care?”

Actually, there is a rather large significance that comes with a large currency exchange, or even smaller purchases or withdrawals over time when dealing with rates that differ by pennies or yennies. Say you have the option to pull out yen at the local base bank with a rate of ¥101=$1, but the exchange centers are selling JPY at ¥104=$1. That does not seem like a big deal, right? Technically, the only difference between the two is 3 cents, but those pennies will add up very quickly.

Here is where the pennies and yennies fit into all of this.

To exchange currency all you have to do is divide the amount of currency you wish to buy by the rate at which the currency is being exchanged. For example, let’s use ¥200,000 (typical off base rent) at a rate of ¥101=$1.

So take the amount you wish to buy: ¥200,000; and divide it by the rate ¥101/$1.

For some, the twenty dollars is worth it by itself, but WAIT! Don’t forget the difference of 3 cents between the exchange centers and the banks. The $20 savings from a rate of ¥101=$1 is now closer to $60 at a rate of ¥104=$1. So you will save an extra 40 bucks by exchanging your money at the place with the ¥104=$1 exchange rate.

Even a small savings of 20 dollars adds up over time though. Twenty USD a month is $240 a year or $720 in three years. Do the same math for a savings of $60 per month, and those pennies and yennies are no longer as invaluable as you once thought.

“What are my options for exchanging or buying yen,” you ask?

Well, banks tend to have the WORST exchange rates, and given the pretext of why one yen can add up, your best bet is to find a location that is closest to market rates.

The best yen rates have been reported to have come from either local ATMs off-base, or from currency exchange centers.

Most currency exchanges post their sell-and-buy rates on their pages so you can see the rate that you are buying beforehand.

JP post bank ATMs are spread throughout the island at any local JP Post Office, Aeon Mall, and San A shopping centers.

To my knowledge, JP post bank does not post their rates via the web, but I know firsthand that the rates are better than on base, and are similar to what the exchange centers offer.

The plus is that you can pull out up to ¥200,000 straight from any JP post bank ATM!

You can find any JP Post office or ATM by visiting their website (only in Japanese, but you can use Google Chrome to translate) or using Google Maps.

Here are some links to popular Exchange Centers on Island:

http://edoya-exchange.com/enindex.html

http://ameblo.jp/luckyexchangeltd/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exchange-Chance-Center/200579366658168

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eight-Exchange/270638339717993

In the event that you are leaving the island and would like to exchange JPY to USD, just reverse the order.

Note: The buy and sell rates typically differ.
And that, friends, is how to get the most yen for your buck.

CONTRIBUTED BY WILL MILLER

After months of exploring Okinawa, my wife and I were looking for something beyond a typically tropical island beach, a typically scenic waterfall, a typically good scuba dive, or a typically historic castle. We were looking for an adventure that had that little something extra. After scouring Google Maps, I came across an area that made me think a little bigger.

Adaga Island is located in the northeastern area of Okinawa, about a quarter of a mile offshore from an easily accessible beach, and close to pretty much nothing. In other words, about the perfect location and setting for a nice open water swim (or kayak), snorkel, and uninhabited island exploration experience.

We were both excited to be strolling down the beach and heading for the water with our gear in hand, setting out on an atypical adventure. The swim started out a little murky, as the surf on the beach was churning up the muddy surface substrate on the rocks. This soon made way for the normal clear blue Okinawan waters as we glided across the sea heading to Adaga.

We saw many of the usual reef fish on the way (snapper, triggerfish, butterflyfish, moorish idol, clownfish, parrotfish, trumpetfish, needlefish, sea urchins, sea anemone, plume worms, and many others). The waters appeared to be very healthy, with most fish seemingly unaccustomed to snorkelers.

The swim to the island was almost a tease – long enough to notice, but short enough to want more, so after washing up on shore we walked along the beach to the eastern edge. Here we found a beautiful, sheltered pool of turquoise, clear water.

Upon entering we immediately encountered:

1) an unsuspecting but subsequently frightened three foot long moray eel
2) a strong, emasculating current
3) a poisonous stonefish
4) an overgrown sea snake
5) a sea turtle

Elated with our luck of seeing these things, we decided to swim around to the north side of the island. The northeast corner revealed another deep, protected pool sheltered by rocks and overflowing with a healthy population of reef fish. A thought crossed my mind of the likelihood of catching a glimpse of a large reef shark here at night.

We continued swimming roughly west along the north side of the island, completing our circumnavigation. We swam past some local Okinawan fishermen perched on one of the rocks bordering the island. Their confused looks led us to believe swimming to the island has not yet caught on. Eventually we pulled ourselves out of the water again on Okinawa, and made the short walk back to the car, with a little something extra in our smiles.

Directions: The beach and parking (space for 6 or 7 vehicles) is located approximately 90-95 km North of Kadena, geo coordinates 26°44’56.0″N 128°19’22.7″E. Turn right (East) on Route 2 from Route 70, heading into the small town of Ada. Follow the small road adjacent to the school and outdoor track north to its end at the edge of the harbor and jetty. Park and cross the jetty by foot before entering the water among the rocks. Swim at own risk.

Address: 262 Ada, Kunigami, Kunigami District, Okinawa, Japan

Map Coordinates: 26.747382701968693, 128.3203150725219

Editor’s Note: This is the location formerly known as Café & Aroma T’s, once a popular restaurant in Yomitan. We have leared that T’s closed, and Songbird Café has opened in the same building.

CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF

I gaze out at the magic carpet sea. We have the best seat in the house. My husband and I came for a getaway lunch to Songbird Café in Yomitan. The café smells like cedar – wooden floors, finished wooden doors, wooden cabinets, wooden furniture – you name it.  This little hipster café welcomed us with a driveway lined with plants cautioning the end of the parking area, on the other side of which is a swift slope down to the beach.

As we approached the door, herbs lined the windowsills, and plants tastefully adorned the approach to the entrance. The inside of the café is warm and welcoming, unrefined, and casual, yet elegant in its simplicity.

A menu is written in English and Japanese on the chalkboard above the kitchen for a menu preview.

We seated ourselves and our waitress quickly sung a welcome and handed us a menu full of dishes made with locally grown ingredients on Yachimun (locally made pottery) plates. Their coffee is certified pesticide free.

I ordered the keema curry and my husband ordered the shrimp and broccoli pasta. Our meals were preceded by a French potato leek soup, a dollop of mashed sweet potatoes, a square of their daily quiche, and a shredded carrot salad.

Both of our meals were artistically displayed on bamboo cutting boards, and each included a salad of red leaf lettuce and mizuna tossed in a sesame ginger miso dressing.  The veggies accompanying my keema curry were steamed to perfection, and the keema curry itself was a scrumptious take on the traditionally Indian-style minced meat curry.

My husband’s shrimp dish was also very tasty, made with a cream sauce pureed with fresh tomatoes and served with steamed broccoli.

To end our meal, we finished with a freshly baked cinnamon roll with homemade cream cheese frosting that made me want to lick the plate.

Menu – click to enlarge

Overall, the service was fantastic and you can’t beat the view! They have sort of unusual hours, being closed on Mondays and the second and third Tuesday of every month, and they close early, by 7:00 p.m. This is still late enough to catch a 6:30 p.m. sunset, but don’t plan on going there for a late night out. They also have limited outside seating. I have to say that Songbird is one of my favorite cafés on the island, for its perfect combination of ambience, food quality, service, and location.

Directions: If you are coming from Torii Station Gate 1, go North towards Cape Zanpa on Highway 6, and take a left at the stoplight intersection with a big white sign with blue lettering that reads “Mariner” pointing you toward the Mariner apartment complex.  Follow that road all the way to the ocean where it takes a sharp left, and Songbird café is on the corner. Smartphone tip: enter their phone number, 098-923-2773 to find a pin directly to their door.

Address: 161-2 Toya, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan 904-0305

Phone: 098-923-2773

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last order 6:00 p.m.), Saturday-Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last order 6:00 p.m.), Closed: Monday, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday of every month

Google Map Coordinates: 26.3936552, 127.72327849999999

CONTRIBUTED BY STEPHANIE GONZALEZ

What military base is your home located on? Camp Kinser

What area of the island is your home located on (i.e. North Island, Central Island, South Island)? South Island, about 8 kilometers from the Naha airport.

What is the name of your neighborhood in which your home is located? There isn’t a name; the towers are located at the north end of Camp Kinser. There are a few multiplex units at the south end.

Generally speaking, most on-base homes are approved for occupancy based on military or government rank. If you would like, please provide the range of ranks that your home is approved for: All officer and enlisted 3-bedroom towers have the same floor plan. I believe there are two officer 3-bedroom towers and five or six enlisted 3-bedroom towers. You can see a floor plan of the 3-bedrooms here, and a floor plan of the 2-bedrooms here.

What DODDS schools are in the school zone for your home? Is there a schoolbus system available? We are attached to Kinser Elementary School. For the towers there is no bus system, but I’m not sure about the multiplex units. We live in one of the towers furthest from the school and it’s a 0.43 mile walk to get to the school doors. The middle school is Lester Middle School located on Camp Lester, and the high school is Kubasaki High School on Camp Foster. Bus service is available to the middle and high schools.

Please describe the “feel” of your neighborhood (i.e. pet-friendly, child-friendly, level of safety, friendly neighbors, spacious, etc.) Dogs are allowed on the first two floors and cats are allowed on all of the floors. (Cats have been known to accidentally fall off of balconies so please don’t let them out there!) Most families in our tower have children and they run back and forth to the different units playing. This is especially great during typhoons when all other families have to hunker down in their units. Our children can still play! The area seems very safe. Some towers have less space between neighboring towers than others. And it’s really luck of the draw as to your view. We have a beautiful view of the East China Sea from our dining room but a view of another tower off of our master bedroom.

Please describe the style of your home (i.e. detached home, duplex, apartment, age of the home, etc.) All towers have 9 floors. There are 8 apartment units on each floor. I’m not sure how old these towers are. I know they haven’t been renovated like some of the other camps. But we were pleasantly surprised by the condition of both units we were offered. The appliances are fairly new and everything was in great condition.  There is a decent amount of indoor storage. There is one large storage closet (roughly 7’ by 6’ with built in shelves) right off the front door.  All bedroom and hall closets have extra storage above which are quite deep.

Please provide general information about your home such as square footage, number of bedrooms and baths, number of stories/levels, special amenities, etc. The approximate square footage according to base housing is 1216 feet. It is all one level.  There is a large balcony off the dining room and a small balcony off the master. The small balcony off the master leads to the fire escape but isn’t very large. You could fit one small chair out there, but not much more. Four of the units on each floor have a window in the kitchen with an extended balcony. The other four do not have the window and their balcony is a little bit smaller.  There is no outdoor storage. There is a multipurpose room on the first floor that can be reserved for parties and a small room with bike storage which is usually full. Bike/large stroller storage is a problem in the towers.  You are not supposed to leave anything in the hallway and whatever you leave on the balcony will rust. Most people have their bikes hanging in their living room or bedroom.  There is one tower on Camp Kinser that has seasonal storage. You need to make an appointment to drop off and pick up your things so it’s meant for items you don’t need to access that often.

What places of services are available near your home such as restaurants, shops, commissary, playgrounds, parks, etc.? There is a playground within short walking distance of every tower. Camp Kinser is a small base so nothing is too far away. The commissary and the exchange are very close to the south section of towers, only a few minutes drive. There are plenty of grassy areas to enjoy. Camp Kinser also has a decent gym (with co-op babysitting nearby), chapel, and pool.

How is parking provided for your home? Every unit has one assigned spot and there are a number of unmarked spots for the second vehicle. We haven’t had a problem, yet, parking our second vehicle.

Is there any yard space or outdoor spaces provided for your home? There is no yard space, only the balconies previously mentioned.

What do you feel is special about your home or neighborhood – what makes it feel like “home” here on Okinawa? It’s great being so close to the water, even though we have no beach access here on Camp Kinser. We are lucky to have a beautiful view from our home.

What housing expenses are included with on-base housing (i.e. utilities, rent, appliances, etc.) Electricity is included. AFN, a DSN line, internet and cable are all added expenses you will have to decide on. I think we are paying about $35 a month to have a DSN line and $80 a month to get the highest level of internet from Mediatti (our only provider choice). We chose not to have cable, but pay $55 a year for a VPN (an I.P. blocker) so we can watch television shows via the internet.

Are there any expenses or fees associated with on-base housing? Are you satisfied with the maintenance services provided by your on-base housing organization? Maintenance has been very quick to respond to any of our issues. They have always been very polite and friendly.

Finally, what advantages and disadvantages do you feel have been your experience living on a military base here on Okinawa?  We’ve only been here a few weeks so I would not be a good one to comment on this.

Please provide any COMMENTS that you feel would be helpful for others about living on-base.

- Base was able to provide us with one free dehumidifier that we had to pick up from Kadena. I believe this is based on availability. It is MUCH louder than the unit we brought with us but it’s still nice to have an extra.

- Pigeons are a problem on the balconies. They poop everywhere. People try different things to keep the pigeons away – spike strips, hanging cds/reflective tape, stringing fishing line above the railing. Base will only clean the balcony right before you move in, after that you are on your own so it’s best to be proactive.

- Each unit is supposedly (this may change as with all the rules) entitled to two ceiling fans, one in the dining room and one in the master. We were able to request these and they were installed within three days of our request.

- As of June 2013, you are not allowed to paint the walls. It used to be that you could paint whatever color you liked as long as you returned it to the original color. Due to the sequester in 2013, the paint they use has been hard to come by. People have had difficulty returning the walls to the correct color so, now, no painting allowed.

- We aren’t thrilled with the faucet in the kitchen (difficult to wash large pans in the small sink) but maintenance said we are welcome to change it as long as we put it back before we move out.

- The flooring is ugly ‘hospital’ flooring. We had a good idea we would be on Camp Kinser so we included carpet remnants large enough for all three bedrooms in our main shipment. The Makeman store sells rolls of fake wood flooring that a lot of units choose to put down in their dining/living room with double sided tape. At roughly $250 a roll it’s not cheap but makes a BIG difference in losing the institutional feel of the apartment and turning it into HOME.

- If you have any other tips on improving a tower apartment, please list it in the comments below!  Your experience will help all of us newbies!

CONTRIBUTED BY AMI EIMERS

Name of School: Dukes Preschool Center
Address: 769 B Owan, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan        
Phone: 080-4723-1059
Email: dukespreschool@gmail.com
Website: http://dukespreschool.wix.com/dukes-preschool

Ages Accepted: 2-5 years old

Ages of Your Kid(s) in this School: 2-4 years

Admissions/Enrollment:

What is the current number of students? 6

Is enrollment open/year-round enrollment or per semester? Open year-round

Can I bring my child in for a pre-enrollment visit? Yes

Days and hours:

What are the school’s hours? 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Is the school on a Japanese or American schedule? American schedule

How flexible is the school with pickup and drop-off times? Very flexible

Costs:

What are the registration fees? None

What are the tuition fees? Full-time care $115 per week

How and when does the school require payment (in yen, dollars, etc.)? Weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Payment is in dollars.

Parent Involvement and Interaction

Does the school encourage spontaneous visits from parents? Yes

How do you communicate with parents? Yes

Parent/teacher conferences? Yes

Classroom Structure and Size

How are the kids grouped? Mixed ages / grouped by age? Grouped by age, toddlers and preschoolers

What’s the teacher-child ratio in each group? 1;6

How many full-time teachers do you have? How many assistants? One full-time teacher and one assistant

What is the school’s educational philosophy? Is the school program developmentally-based or does it have an academic focus? The center offers a pre-kindergarten curriculum that focuses on social and emotional development,physical development, creative expression, and cognitive development. They use theme teaching and group learning to help prepare the preschoolers for kindergarten.

Is there a playground for the children to play on? No

What do the children do on any given day? Daily lesson plan, learning activities and free play

Are there extracurricular activities or field trips? There are no extracurricular activities but the children do go on field trips.

How does the school discipline children? Talk to the children about the behavior and re-direct them. They keep parents involved when an issue arises.

How does the school comfort children? Show concern and talk to the child and follow up.

Final Comments or Observations about the School
I spent weeks looking at different schools. My son went to a small Japanese preschool that closed down in June. I found Dukes near Torii Station and what was supposed to be a summer trial has turned into something long term. I like the small school setting and the flexibility on the hours and pick up drop off times.

I wish they were a mixed Japanese/American school and that they had lessons in Japanese, but overall this is a great preschool for my 2.5-year-old.

Address: 769 B Owan, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan

Directions: Make a left out of Kadena gate 3 and make the first right. At the third stop light, make a right and another right at a small pink wall with white trim.

Phone: 080-4723-1059

Website:  http://dukespreschool.wix.com/dukes-preschool

Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of Quentin’s trip to Kumejima. Click here to read Part 1.

CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON

With only four and a half hours of daylight left, I had to rush around and catch a glimpse of as many sights as possible. There was a CoCo’s convenience store nearby, where I grabbed a bento and some snacks before heading out. Prior to leaving for Kumejima, I made PDFs of all the major sites I found interesting and some places recommended by local friends. The files were made from the websites about Kumejima and stored in my Macbook Air. Leaving from the powder soft sands of Eef Beach after my lunch break, I realized I had a direct path to most of the sites by going up the east side of the island heading north.

Immediately leaving the Eef Beach area heading towards Pref. Route 89, you will see the famous white signs leading you to Tatamiishi and Ojima. I bypassed these signs for now and continued north. My first planned destination was Hiyajobanta Cliff.

Along the route, other familiar sites are found along Route 89 until it splits off and becomes Pref. Route 242. There are a lot of things to see along the way, but time was against me.

Further up the route there is repair work going on, but it doesn’t prevent access to the sites. About 15 minutes north, Hiyajobanta Cliff is located to the right alongside the road. It is a two story observation point that gives an awesome view of the east side of the island. Prior to arriving to Hiyajobanta, I passed by the signpost marking the entrance to Uegusuku Castle Ruins.

The scenic detour leads to the highest point on the island and another awesome view of Kumejima.

Leaving Uegusuku, I headed back to Pref. Route 242 and continued north, since I was planning on swimming later in the trip, I bypassed the Pools of Tropical Fish site and headed for Tachijyami Nature Park, which was only another 10 minutes away.

This area offers another observation point and a hiking trail. Since I was ahead of schedule, I followed the trial down the cliff towards the scenic ending. Unfortunately, due to the devastation of Typhoon Jelawat, there were a lot of downed trees in the path preventing me from completing the trek. On a positive note, I was able to see two waterfalls and some nice vistas before turning back.

Continuing north again, I returned to Pref. Route 242 for another 10 minutes and turn right towards Mifuga. Mifuga (Split Rock) has an interesting rumor about fertility (as told to me by a local) if you pray at the shrine. Along the way down the hill to Mifuga, you pass by Gushikawa ruins and an empty parking lot. Hidden up a trail also devastated by typhoon damage, there is another waterfall that is VERY difficult to access because of the debris.

It was getting late and harder to take pictures of things facing north, so I headed south towards Tonnaha Nature Park. About 30 minutes south from Mifuga, the turn for the park is found marked by the famous white signposts. The lower level of the park has the best view of Kume especially for sunrise and sunsets. The is an observatory, bathroom and plenty of room for kids to play. The upper level has a massive hill with rocks buried into it and another observatory with a view facing east.

As the sun began to sink into the horizon, I head for Tatamiishi on Ojima Island. Tatamiishi is found on the beach next to a bath house named “Bade Haus.” It is the famous beach that has natural stones that resemble tatami mats seen in a lot of promotional pictures.

From here, I watched the sun finally setting and ending my first day of sightseeing.

Ten mintues away was Eef Beach and the dormitory. I went back and showered. At the dorm, two Japanese tourists who also stayed there and spoke decent English shared drinks and conversations about their island experience and their plans for the next day.

They gave me some helpful advice about the island as far as where to eat and what to expect on Hatenohama. Since there aren’t a lot of bars, we went to Spiral Market Bar & Restaurant, which is only a block away from the hostel. We listened to Reggae music and had drinks until I decided to go to bed early in preparation for Hatenohama Beach.

I’m not done yet, still more to come…

CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA

For those in the market for unique Okinawan souvenirs, there is new pottery shop along Highway 329 in Yaka that is worth checking out. The studio is called Shikui-Shisa and is defined by the kooky and funny styled shisa that stand guard atop a low makeshift terracotta wall.

As amusing as these shisa look, they are only a small array of the Okinawan shikui-style pottery found inside the workshop.

Traditional Okinawan shisa tend to be from the older Yachimun style of pottery and represent most of the red clay guardians at entrances and rooftops found abundantly on island. A few artists have started expanding beyond tradition in the past few years to create drastically different shisa creations. The shikui style in particular uses a proprietary blend of crushed limestone and rice hay which is fermented and used in place of clay or cement.

The owner of this workshop is one such visionary who has decided to reuse recycled roofing tiles to breathe life into his boisterous-looking creations. This artist is Oshiro Sumimitu, and his skills with masonry in the shikui style are only matched by his welcoming charm upon visiting his business. Sumimitu-san does speak a decent amount of English and has the right balance of attentiveness without coming across as pushy.

When my wife and I stopped by to investigate this shop, Sumimitu-san immediately stopped working on one of his projects to greet us at his driveway. He also turned on several shop fans to ensure we were comfortable while perusing his wares. The Shisa he makes are all packed with character. Since he does use recycled materials, some may be in similar poses, but no two are exactly alike.  There were jovial shisa made to hold alchohol bottles, shisa made to look like they were climbing walls, and even shisa which looked all too happy to pose for the camera. In Sumimitu-san’s workshop even the most rigid of souls cannot help but smile when looking around.

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. daily

Payment: At the time of this review the workshop only accepted yen.

Phone: 090-3796-6206

Directions: From the 5 exit in Ishikawa, head north up highway 329 toward Yaka. Once in Yaka look for a large Family Mart on the left hand side. This particular Family Mart stands out due to its large parking lot. Shikui Shisa is a few meters past this Family Mart on the left hand side, across from Ocean Mist Apartments.

Address: Japan, 〒904-1203 Okinawa, Kunigami District, Kin, Yaka 国道329号線

Map Coordinates: 26.449575203379812, 127.85016640213007

CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTENA YEAGER

What military base is your home located on? Kadena Air Base

What area of the island is your home located on (i.e. North Island, Central Island, South Island)? Central Island

What is the name of your neighborhood in which your home is located? Terrace Heights

Generally speaking, most on-base homes are approved for occupancy based on military or government rank.  If you would like, please provide the range of ranks that your home is approved for? CGO so O-1 to O-3

What DODDS schools are attached to your home?  Is there a schoolbus system available? Kadena Elementary School, Ryukyu Middle School, Kadena High School. Bus service is to the high school only (the other two are within walking distance).

Please describe the “feel” of your neighborhood (i.e. pet-friendly, child-friendly, level of safety, friendly neighbors, spacious, etc.) Pet-friendly, child-friendly, it feels very safe and we have great neighbors.

Please describe the style of your home (i.e. detached home, duplex, apartment, age of the home, etc.) Multiplex

Please provide general information about your home such as square footage, number of bedrooms and baths, number of stories/levels, special amenities, etc. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 stories, 2 indoor storage areas, 1 outdoor storage area, back patio

What places of services are available near your home such as restaurants, shops, commissary, playgrounds, parks, etc.? Shoppette, movie rentals

How is parking provided for your home? One assigned parking spot per home and multiple extra spots for each multiplex.

Is there any yard space or outdoor spaces provided for your home? Back patio, back yard, front yard

What housing expenses are included with on-base housing (i.e. utilities, rent, appliances, etc.) Utilities, rent, appliances (including a dishwasher).

Are you satisfied with the maintenance services provided by your on-base housing organization? Cable and internet is about $140. We mow ourselves but we got a quote for $40/visit to have the lawn mowed. We have not utilized the maintenance services. Kadena does have a home maintenance supply store (with blinds, shelves, light bulbs, etc.) called Eagle Hardware.

Finally, what advantages and disadvantages do you feel have been your experience living on a military base here on Okinawa?

Advantages:

-Short commute to work (traffic off base can be a little crazy)

-Larger yards (for pets)

-Dogs in quarantine may live at home

-People are allowed to drink at your house

-House is easier to find because road names are in English

-All neighbors are American so it tends to be easier to be sociable

-All of your appliances and plugins will work as designed.

Disadvantages:

-If you don’t make an active effort to go off base you can easily lose the opportunity to experience Japanese culture.

-Housing has many rules attached. (Yard maintenance is a must, departure inspections can be very detailed and difficult to pass)

-On base housing is very bland but off base housing can have some stunning views.

Please provide any COMMENTS that you feel would be helpful for others about living on-base.

If you desire adventure, live off base. If you desire comforts of home, live on base.

CONTRIBUTED BY ROSALIND ZICCARDI

Royal Optical Co, owned and serviced by Shigeo Oshiro-san, was a fantastic find for me when I needed new glasses. I got the glasses I wanted, expert advice and service, had fast turn-around (for glasses with all the bells and whistles), three useful gifts, and a free repair only a week after getting my new glasses (a word to the wise: inadvertent head-butts bend frames); all with a substantial discount. With a favorable exchange rate (I paid yen, cash) and reasonable prices, I saved $40 on comparable glasses I saw in the U.S.

Oshiro-san’s full optical service includes: 1 hour service (single vision), special orders, bifocals, free eye test, wide selection of frames, high index (super thin) lenses, Rx diving mask, sport and safety glasses, rapid repairs, and contact lenses.

If you are looking for a high quality pair of glasses, I personally commend Oshiro-san. You will get specialized care, a great selection, terrific customer service, and a SOFA card-holder’s discount – all in English. He’ll even pay for your parking.

Directions: To get to Royal Optical, go out Kadena Air Base, Gate 2 to Hwy 330, turn right. At the second traffic light turn right. You will pass the parking lot on your left but the entrance is around the block, so turn left at the next (narrow) intersection and left again at the next (narrow) street. Turn left into the Grand Parking lot (directly across from the Docomo parking lot). Walk (right) up Hwy 330 two very short blocks; Royal Optical is well-marked on the second corner. Keep your eye out for the very cool Levitron spinning globe and let Oshiro-san know Rosalind sent you!

Owner: Shigeo Oshiro, Certified Eye Care Specialist – AO

Address: 904-0031, 2-1-19 Uechi, Okinawa City

Map Coordinates: 26.332053075513, 127.79748233565147

Phone: 098-932-3919

E-mail: royal.op@orion.ocn.ne.jp

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Closed Sundays

Payment: major credit cards, U.S. dollars, yen