CONTRIBUTED BY: THE THIRSTY SHISA

On May 15^th, I had the pleasure of attending the Okinawa Brewing Company’s grand opening of their new Mihama Café located in American Village. This new space not only offers them more room, but also allows them to operate a full service kitchen with a great menu. There is also a nice shady patio so you can enjoy a beer or two outside.

The first thing I did upon arriving was scope out the beer list. I was impressed to see 24 taps featuring both the beers of Okinawa Brewing Company, as well as other top-notch craft breweries such as Stone, Green Flash and Lagunitas. They also stock bottles from other acclaimed breweries like Prairie Artisan Ales and Rogue. It was a great surprise to see some familiar favorites from the United States.

One of the very friendly owners was there to greet customers, and he also described their Beni-Imo Extreme Ale to me. The Extreme Ale is a stronger version of their regular Beni-Imo Ale and  is made with twice the amount of the beni-imo purple sweet potatoes.

This beer was fantastic. It was bright, flavorful, and had a very unique color. The color was more that of a rosé wine than your traditional golden toned beer; however, it managed quite nicely to maintain the wonderful flavor that lets you know you are drinking a beer. Okinawa Brewing Company also makes a very fine India Pale Ale, which is not for the faint of heart at 75 IBUs or International Bittering Units. It is refreshing and full of hoppy citrus flavor.

As if the beer wasn’t reason enough to keep me coming back, the food was also outstanding. The menu features classic pub fare such as chicken wings, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie. I tried ceviche fish tacos and a small plate of wings.  Both
were delicious.  The chicken wings can be ordered with various types of barbeque or hot sauces containing beer from Stone Brewing Company.

If you enjoy craft beer, Okinawa Brewing Company’s new establishment should be at the top of your to-do list. They boast an exciting taplist with American brews and their own creations. Also, be sure to sample their house beers– you will definitely be impressed.

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., Saturday & Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Closed Tuesday.

Phone: (Brewery Office) 098-923-5850

Payment: Yen & Credit Cards

Address: 9−7 Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken, 904-0115, Japan

Directions: Take a left out of the gate and head south on 58 for about 2km, turn right at into American Village at the Four Seasons restaurant and go through two sets of traffic lights. Restaurant is on the right next to the canal, across from Red Lobster

Coordinates: 26.3157861, 127.75582889999998

Website: http://okinawabrewing.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Okinawa-Brewing-Mihama-Cafe/659660320829385

CONTRIBUTED BY ALLI MARTIN

We LOVE Chinese food. Eat in, take out, it doesn’t matter. When we were introduced to Getsuen Hanten by some friends, we were hooked. Not only is it across the street from our house (Plaza Housing), but it is delicious. The restaurant also has a very interesting history. As soon as you walk in, you will notice the walls are covered with pictures of both the Japanese and the American military from over 50 years ago.

Getsuen Hanten is a traditional Chinese restaurant. It is a bit more “upscale” and pricey than some others in Okinawa. Although you don’t have to dress up, you also shouldn’t expect to pay $20 for the whole meal. I often see businessmen here for dinners and groups enjoying family-style cuisine.

They have both Japanese and English menus, consisting of traditional Chinese options with sections for seafood, poultry, beef, noodles and rice. They also have course menu offerings, which include a variety of dishes like wontons and shark fin soup, but can be pretty pricey (up to $70 per person). We have tried many dishes on the menu, but really enjoy the spring rolls, sweet and sour pork, and the fried noodles. The staff is very nice and accommodating to your needs.

I highly recommend Getsuen Hanten when you would like a nice Chinese dinner (or lunch). They are located in Plaza House Shopping Center off the 330. There is a large orange sign for the shopping center with several other restaurants and shops.

Hours: Open Daily 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 098-933-3111

Payment: Yen, Dollars, and Credit Card

Address: 3 Chome-1-12 Kubota, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-0023, Japan

Directions:  From Camp Foster: Exit the Legion gate and turn Left on the 330. Follow this road up to where the Aeon mall is being built. Plaza House Shopping Center will be on the right hand side past the mall.

From Kadena: Exit Gate 2 and make a right on the 330. Take the 330 down and you will see Plaza House Shopping Center on the left. It is before you hit the big Aeon mall

Coordinates: 26.3197637, 127.79401529999996

Website: http://www.ryukyujima.net/shop_info.php?ShopCode=022342#_=_

CONTRIBUTED BY: LAURA SNELL

I discovered this gem thanks to a referral from a friend. Mimi is like a miracle worker. For your first appointment you go in and fill out what is the equivalent of a medical history report. You indicate what types of things you’re coming in to treat, then she will go over your entire body, touching pressure points, taking your pulse, and getting a more thorough idea of what your body is doing. When I went in I had a list of things that I wanted acupuncture to help me with, on my medical history sheet I did not indicate sleep issues (because they’ve become normal to me so I forget to mention it), but within seconds of going over my body, pressure points, etc., she started talking to me about my sleep, and told me I wasn’t getting enough sleep.

Her office is small and really only accommodates one person at a time, another reason she is by appointment only. I really enjoyed this aspect of it because there was no background noise, making it even more relaxing.

This was my first experience with acupuncture and I’ve been 3 times since! I find it very relaxing but also feel a lot better when I leave there. If you haven’t had acupuncture and you’re reluctant because of the needles, the only thing I can tell you is that you really don’t feel them. I felt one (not in a painful way, just noticed it) when she put it in the top of my foot.

Mimi will show you the new needles, in the packages, so you can see that they are new, clean and sterile, which will put you at ease if you have concerns about that.

I can’t recommend Mimi more. So if you’re looking to try acupuncture I highly suggest her quaint little shop!

Hours: By appointment only (offers weekend and evening appointments in addition to daytime hours)

Phone: 098-911-2134

Email: neishin@us.au-hikari.ne.jp

Payment: Yen only

Price: First appointment is 4,000 yen and takes an hour or so, appointments after that are usually shorter and cost 3,000 yen

Address: 4 Chome-7-3 Uechi, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-0031, Japan

Directions: From Kadena Gate 2:  Go out Gate 2 and continue straight. Where you see Puppy Love and Bombay on your right, take that right in between them. Go straight until you see a ying yang sign (on the second floor balcony level). Park directly under that, this is her studio; door will be directly in front of you when you park.

Coordinates: 26.335089, 127.795729

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

July 1st            

            Yokohama DeNA BayStars vs. Chunichi Dragons

Okinawa Cellular Stadium, 42-1 Onoyamacho, Naha. 4:30pm Gates Open, 6:30pm Game Starts. Tickets ¥2,100 – ¥6,600

July 1st – July 5th

            Iwaki Naha Exchange Exhibition

Exhibition of art from Fukushima Prefecture. Aeon Naha. Workshops available from 11am – 3pm. Exhibition open 11am – 6pm.

July 4th

            Ryukyu Dragon Wrestling

1pm at the Hotel Mahaina Wellness Resort

            Eisa Night

Koza Music Town, 1-1-1 Uechi, Okinawa City. Free. 7:30pm

July 5th

            Manza Harley Festival

Dragon boat races run 9am – 3pm. Free. ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort (Onna Village Serakaki 2260). 098-868-7797

            Eisa Night

Payao Fish Market, Awase. Free. 7:00pm

            FC Ryukyu vs. Fukushima United FC

Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥300 – ¥2,000 . Buy in advance (Family Mart/Lawson) or day of at door. 6pm kick off.

July 7th

            Coconuts Beach Club

Kicking off the summer with a beach party! Music, Food & Beach. Toguchi Beach, Yomitan. ¥2,000 Advance, ¥2,500 Day of. 2pm – 8pm. 098-963-9590

July 10th – 12th

            Uruma Tourism & Entertainment Fair

10th Anniversary of the Uruma Entertainment Fair. Free. Friday 11am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 10am – 6pm.

July 11th

            Ryukyu Dragon Wrestling

Doors 5pm, Battle 6pm. Nago Battle Festa. Nago Civic Center Hall

July 11th – July 12th

            Peaceful Love Rock Festival 2015

33rd annual Okinawa Rock Festival. Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, Okinawa City. Doors open 1pm. Tickets in Advance ¥3,500 (Lawson, Family Mart) or ¥4,000 at the door. 098-932-1949

            Seaport Chatan Carnival

Concerts events, rowing races, underwater fireworks. Sunset Beach, Chatan Park (Chatan-cho Mihama 2). Free. 098-926-5678

July 13th – July 18th

            3rd Traditional Karate and Kobudo Worldwide Seminar

¥20,000 to participate. 200 Participants Max. See Website for registration details. Okinawa Prefectural Budokan Arena Building, Onoyama Park (52 Yamashita-cho, Onoyama, Naha City)

July 17th & 18th

            Festival octopus Te Urasoe

Yearly festival filled with Miss Urasoe, drumming performances, Hurley (boat races), fireworks and more! Urasoe Sports Park (26°15’04.7″N 127°43’23.9″E) & Makiminato Fishing Port. 098-876-1234

July 18th

            Ocean Expo Park Summer Festival

Large summer festival complete with the largest fireworks show on the island. Ocean Expo Park, Motobu. Free. 12pm – 9pm.

            Ryukyu Dragon Wrestling

7pm Naval Kadena Arena, Kadena-cho

            Tea Ceremony

Miyahira-sensei teaches foreign residents tea ceremony and etiquette. Small group lesson. 2pm – 4pm. ¥500. Contact 098-989-6759 to make a reservation.

            Eisa Night

Koza Music Town, 1-1-1 Uechi, Okinawa City. Free. 7:30pm

July 18th & 19th

            Yeah Festival

Summer festival. Drums, Eisa, Language Tournaments, Live Music, Glass Boat Tour, Fireworks. Children can try on spacesuits (yes, spacesuits). Onna Community Square (26°29’58.3″N 127°51’26.3″E). Free. 098-96-1280

July 19th

            FC Ryukyu vs. Blaublitz Akita

Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥300 – ¥2,000 . Buy in advance (Family Mart/Lawson) or day of at door. 6pm kick off.

July 20th

            Craft & Vintage Fair

Six local businesses come together to sell clothing, accessories, and baked goods. Kahului, Chou Park Avenue, Okinawa City. 11am – 4pm

July 25th

            Iwaki & Naha Cultural Exchange Performance

Children’s Eisa performances. Located at the Heiwa Dori Shopping Arcade off of Kokusai Street. 3:30pm. Free.

            Koza City Dance Carnival

Dance Battle, Music Town, 3F 1-1-1 Uechi, Okinawa City. General Admission in Advance ¥2,000. Tickets available at Music Town. 098-932-1949. Doors 2pm Curtain 3pm.

July 25th & 26th

            Nago Summer Festival

Eisa, live music, beer drinking competitions, dance performances, food stalls, fireworks and more! Nago Fishing Port (26°35’14.3″N 127°58’56.9″E), Free. 0980-52-4243

July 26th

            All Okinawa Children Eisa Festival

More than 600 children participate in Eisa, lion dance bojutsu, karate and more. Toyosaki Seaside Park (Tomigusuku Toyosaki 5-1)(26°09’24.4″N 127°38’52.0″E). Free. 098-850-3582

            FC Ryukyu vs. AC Nagano Parceiro

Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥300 – ¥2,000 . Buy in advance (Family Mart/Lawson) or day of at door. 6pm kick off.

July 27th

            Itoman Furasato Matsuri

Eisa, traditional arts, live music, markets, pottery, plants, fireworks, laser show. Nishizaki Athletics Stadium, Itoman, Nishizaki cho, 3-1 (26°08’45.2″N 127°39’43.7″E). Free. 098-840-8135

Other Events

July 7th – Tanabata (Star Festival)

July 2th – Umi no hi (Sea Day)

The 2015 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2014. This was July’s page.

Naha

Photo credit: Pamela Oliveras
Pamela Oliveras Photography

“Listen! Hear the roar?
Stop! Feel the strong wind rush by
Typhoon time again” –Jenny Pittman

Kokusai Street

Photo credit: Jamie Snider
Jamie Snider Photography

CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA

If you want to get a dose of culture, doused with mud, and crafty all while having a good time then the Tanbo Festa in Kin Town is the annual event for you. The Tanbo Festival is specifically located in and around the Nature Miraikan park facility, which is north of the Kin Blue training area. This park is a popular place all year round with locals and tourists who enjoy the beautiful scenery while camping, canoeing, and various other outdoor activities.

In previous years this event was in May but organizers wanted to push the date later when the weather was not as chilly. This year the Tanbo Festival will be July 5^th from 1000-1800 which works well for both Japanese and American school aged children. While the education and entertainment of the island’s children is a focus of the festival adults are encouraged to participate in all activities.

The activities this year are:

Canoe Rides. The canoe ride station will send out canoes every 40 minutes. The ride will take approximately thirty minutes. The price for this ride is 500 yen for kindergarten or younger children and 1000 yen for first grade students or older.

Banana boat rides. The banana boat ride station will run from 1000-1700 and cost 500 yen per person. The ride is expected to last 50 minutes. You have to be at least ten years old to ride the banana boat and children aged 10-12 must have a parent accompany them.

Water buffalo cart rides. The buffalo cart rides are expected to last an hour each ride. The price will be 800 yen a person. Children 3-10 years old will require parental supervision to be able to attend the ride. Each cart can hold about twenty people.

Shisa decorating station. You can adorn your island talisman with your personal style at this location. To participate it will cost you 500 yen and thirty minutes of your time per Shisa (lion dog.) There will be enough supplies here for 200 people.

Flip Flop craftwork station. Bring out your artistic flair in something useful you can take home. This activity will cost 1000 yen, is expected to last about 90 minutes and will have enough supplies to accommodate up to 200 people. When supplies run out the station will shut down.

Original Photo Frame station. This craft area actually is divided into two parts. The first photo frame craft table will be for people who want to use shells and beads as decorations. The second photo frame craft area will be for individuals who would rather use colored sand as an artistic medium. The price for these crafts will be 500 yen per frame and each frame is expected to take about an hour. The supplies are expected to accommodate 200 patrons.

Coral pen stand craft station. Instructors in this area will assist you in using local coral to craft a beautiful holder for your office area. Supplies for this station will be a bit scarce so only 100 people will be able to enjoy this activity. It will cost you 500 yen and is expected to take about an hour to make one pen holder.

Bingata stenciling station. You can make your own Bingata on a piece of material roughly the size of a handkerchief. Children 10 years age and younger will require adult supervision to participate in this activity. The cost to make your own Bingata will be 1000 yen and is expected to take about 30 minutes.

Personalized chopstick carving. Instructors will supervise the carving of traditional chopsticks from solid blocks of wood. The price to carve your own chopsticks will be 1000 yen per person. Children 3-10 years old will require parental supervision to participate. It is estimated that each chopstick set will require 30 minutes to fabricate. This station will also be offering wooden spoon carving for the same price and time requirement. This station will only be able to accommodate 50 wood carvers.

Car woodcraft station. Like the chopstick station, an instructor will assist in carving car shapes out of wood and assembling them. Because of the tools involved in wood carving, children aged 3-10 will require adult parental supervision to participate. Car woodcraft will cost 1000 yen, take about 30 minutes per car and will have enough supplies for one hundred cars.

Shisa or Hibiscus key holder craft station. This activity will cost 800 yen per item and is expected to last 40 minutes. Children ages 3-10 can participate with parental supervision.

Glass bottom boat rides. The glass bottom boat will be located in the primary parking area for the even at the Hamada Fishing Port (adjacent to the Kin Power Plant). The glass bottom boat rides will cost 500 yen per person and each ride should be about 30 minutes. The minimum age to ride the boat is ten years old and children aged 10-12 years will need a parent with them to ride.

Nagashi Somen. Try some tasty noodles as they flow down a traditional bamboo slide. It’s a Japanese thing, just go with it. It will cost you 300 yen to dig in with the locals.

The primary event prominently displayed on the signs and fliers for the Tanbo Festival is the Rice Field Mud Romp. Children and adults can get close to nature by splashing around in the mud fields. The mud area will have swings and slides designated for children and separate slides for adults. It is expected to be good old fashioned filthy fun for all. This event will run all day and costs 300 yen to participate.

Aside from all the activity stations there will also be entertainment in the form of a Hero Show which will host an appearance from the Power Ranger Nin-Ninja team at 1600. There will also be a juggling street performer, bouncy castle, inflatable maze, and refreshment drink stand. If you work up an appetite there will also be food vendors selling traditional festival food.

Tanbo Festa, Kin Town

Hours: 1000-1800

Website: http://www.nature-kin.com/

Phone: 098-968-6117

Address: 11818 Kin, Kin-chō, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-120

GPS Coordinates: 26.454512, 127.941905

Directions: The Miraikan Center is located in Kin Town downstream from Kin Dam. From the expressway 8 Exit travel north toward Camp Hansen. After passing Camp Hansen Gate 2 drive under the bridge and turn right at the light (this is the route 104 intersection). Follow the road until you see a large colorful sign for the park. The sign has pictures of cartoon taro characters and has pictures of people in canoes. Turn left at the sign.

Parking for the event will also be at the Hamada Fishing port near the Kin Power Plant. A free shuttle bus will drive people back and forth to the festival.

click to enlarge flier

CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN GODDARD

Giving birth is a journey: a beautiful, difficult, breathtaking journey that will forever change a woman. Whether you give birth by caesarian, with an epidural, completely naturally, in a bathtub, a hospital or in the backseat of a car (seriously, I met some grandparents at the airport last year whose daughter just did that here on island!). No matter how or where you give birth, it is incredible– and also a bit frightening because there is always that aspect of the unknown.

As a mother of two, I understand and love this journey, and have a heart for women launching into this grand adventure. That is exactly why I was so excited to hear that The Birth Education Center of Okinawa opened in February of this year!

What is The Birth Education Center of Okinawa, you ask? It’s a resource center for women thinking about getting pregnant, women who are already pregnant, as well as moms and families who want information about birthing options, breastfeeding support, baby care and/or new mother care. Recently, I went in to tour the facility and met with Sarah Harre (co-founder and doula) and Christy Vasquez-Googe (lactation specialist).

Upon entering, you are immediately set at peace. The decor is minimalist and comforting, there is a hint of essential oil in the room; and with a toy corner, a coffee machine and a full kitchen, it’s easy to imagine that you’re simply in a friend’s house for a visit. That is exactly how these women want you to feel: safe, encouraged and comfortable. Even their personalities reflect a sense of familiarity, like no matter what you ask or say, it is alright here.

There is a large main room for meetings, classes, groups and yoga, and a smaller private room for individual lactation consultations complete with a bed to practice ALL kinds of breast feeding positions (even those difficult side lying ones!).

The Birth Education Center of Okinawa works with U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa to offer supplemental support and education not only before and during labor but also after (when life gets way more complicated). When dreaming of the idea for the center, founders Amanda Dodson and Sarah Harre noticed that the classes offered by the hospital were geared toward a hospital birth, that some services were not offered to all military branches on island, and that there was a serious lack of lactation and postpartum support. And so with a positive relationship with the hospital and the common goal of having healthy deliveries, babies and mothers, the Birth Education Center is here to let you know, you are NOT alone!

One of the wonderful aspects of the center is the continuity of care. These women get to know you. They remember your struggles and triumphs in the birthing process and build up from there. They have terrific follow up, calling and emailing clients to make certain things are working and to help when they are not. They are readily available for questions and concerns, and these women really know their stuff!

Classes offered include: Breastfeeding, Prenatal Yoga, Hypnobirthing, Lamaze-based Childbirth, Aromatherapy, Nutrition, Cloth Diapering, Breastfeeding and Back to Work, Baby Wearing, Introducing Solids and Infant Massage.

Support Groups include: Breastfeeding Support Group (also you get to weigh your baby) and Bereavement Support (for miscarriage, stillborn or loss of a child).

Other things to know: They welcome babies and kids to groups and classes.  Since some classes and groups are at mealtimes, they invite you to bring your lunch (or dinner) – they have a microwave! They have a lending library.  Eventually they will have a retail section of the center.

Parking is a beast here – they only have two parking spots (directly behind the building) and almost zero street parking options!  You may have to get creative…but hey, that’s Okinawa!

Hours: Monday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (drop in at the center)

Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (drop in at the center)

Lactation Consultations: M/W 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tues 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. times are also available).

Call anytime, classes and groups may be in session

Phone: 81 080 4079 0124

Cost: Support groups and prenatal yoga are FREE!
Single classes are anywhere from $10-$25
Lactation Consultations are $35 per hour
Series classes (several classes that go together) start at $35

Website: www.birthedcenterokinawa.com

Facebook Page: The Birth Education Center of Okinawa

Email: birtheducationcenterofokinawa@gmail.com

Address: 4 Chome-20-1 Uechi, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-0031, Japan

Directions: Coming from Gate 2 Kadena, make a right onto highway 23. You will pass McDonalds and Coco’s Curry Take Out on the left. Immediately after Coco’s Curry is a Soba restaurant and an Eneos gas station. You will make the left onto the road in between these two buildings (there are flags by this road). The Birth Education Center is located on the second floor of the soba restaurant, and parking is directly behind the building.

CONTRIBUTED BY SHANNON R.

Have you ever thought about adoption, but weren’t sure how to get started? Or wondered if it was even possible being in a military family? I’m here to let you know that it is possible– even from overseas. Being overseas can make the process slightly more complicated, but in all honesty, there’s very little that you have to do differently than you would if you were stationed in the United States. I hope this article will give prospective adoptive families somewhere to start and maybe save you some time with the aimless internet searching we did at that beginning of the process.

Our story

For my husband and I, adoption was always a part of the plan. I vividly remember our first “do you want kids” conversation. It was one of the “day-dreamy, in love, can’t wait for forever,” topics that you talk about for hours at the beginning of the relationship. For us, the answer was: “Yes, definitely,” quickly followed by a “But not for another 5 to 10 years!” We always talked about it as something we’d do “when were stable.” We were 18 and 19 years old when we met (20 when we married), so we didn’t know at that time that “stability” is mostly just a state of being that you thought your 40 year old parents had figured out.

Six years after those conversations, we had our first child. That little beauty changed our lives. A few years later, we had our fabulous son who rocked our “we’ve-got-this-parenting-thing-figured-out” world! A couple years after that, we decided we were having such fun that we should have more. Sparing some of the sadder details, we tried to add to our little slice of heaven. We tried. And tried. And tried again. But there were no new members added to our family aside from the ones we now hold in our hearts.

Nonetheless, we were happy. Incredibly, fairy tale happy. But incomplete. We both came to a decision, almost at the exact moment in conversation, as if lightening had just struck. “What are we doing? Our child is already out there. Let’s go find him or her!”

So, the search began. I had no idea what to do or where to start. Google and I became very good friends. Little by little, we learned as we began the sometimes overwhelming process that was ahead of us. Again, sparing the details (maybe for a future post if it would be helpful to anyone out there), we now have a second wonderful daughter who has, yet again, changed our world. It is now one of the truest beliefs in my life that she was meant to be a part of our family. She was always ours… we just had to find her.

Getting started:

1. Research and self-reflection
2. Choose an agency

*Note: Research and choosing an agency go hand in hand, but not necessarily in order. You may find it more helpful to begin communicating with an agency (or a few) so they can help you ask yourself the questions that will lead you to the right program for your family. There are many adoption agencies out there with positive reviews, but there are a few with negative reviews as well. It can give you piece of mind to call the Attorney General’s office to inquire about the agency using their license number. Here is a “Consumer Protection” website for the state of Texas, as an example: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/cpd_regionals

1. Research and Reflection:

First, get a good idea of what your family’s preferences, capabilities and limitations look like. One of the first things you should do, is begin researching what type of adoption works for your family. There are many considerations that will guide your search. For example: Do want to adopt domestically (United States) or internationally? Do you have preferences for gender? Are there minimum or maximum ages you would consider? Is race, ethnicity or religion a factor? Think about what types of special needs or life circumstances you believe you can provide for. Special needs can range from mild, unnoticeable and correctable to severe cases that will require extensive medical care and follow-up. Your agency will likely give you a list of special needs, and then give you information about the accommodations they require.  Most importantly, don’t feel guilty about what you believe you can or cannot accommodate. Your agency will be looking to match you with the child (or children) that is meant to be with you, so honesty is key!

Whether you choose to adopt domestically or from another country, you (and your family members) will have to meet specific requirements. There are usually upper and lower age range requirements for the parents. Some countries have restrictions on the number of children that can already be in the home or medical conditions that will disqualify a family from adopting. Some places require partners to adopt jointly and some except single parents. Don’t let requirements or restrictions dissuade you if you feel strongly about a certain program. You can always reach out to the agency to find out if certain requirements can be waived or if there is another program more suited for your situation.

Rainbow Kids is an awesome website and resource that can help you get started with the requirements necessary for each country. This is a great place to start if you have no idea or are very open to any type of adoption. The website has profiles of children who are waiting for their families, but I found it most helpful in educating myself and finding an agency that could work with our situation. You never know, your son or daughter may be waiting for you right now!

2. Choosing an Agency:

Over time, I’ve worked with three different U.S. based agencies that have experience with American families adopting from overseas.  I’m sure there are many more, so please do not limit your search or take the following agencies as being the only ones. That said, I can personally vouch for these agencies as being particularly accommodating to our unique situation.

Adopt Abroad, Inc. This organization works with both U.S. foster care adoptions and several international programs. Adopt Abroad was created for military families and has a representative in Okinawa to assist in the adoption process.

A Love Beyond Borders also works with both domestic and international adoptions. They have a person who will travel to overseas locations to complete the home study process. We’ve also had very good communication with them just via email and skype.

Children of all Nations. This organization also works with both domestic and international programs (including infant and embryo adoption). The website has so much information and is very easy to navigate even when you are very new to the process.

Don’t be afraid to just contact the agency and ask questions. I have found that everyone I came into contact with was overwhelmingly helpful and patient.

Other adoption articles on Okinawa Hai:

http://okinawahai.com/an-okinawa-adoption-story/

http://okinawahai.com/inter/

CONTRIBUTED BY JEANIE ANGEL

Hoshida Restaurant is located in American Village. It opened about a year and a half after we PCSed here. We were always very curious about it because it’s not like the other restaurants in American Village. You could walk right by it and hardly realize it is a restaurant at all. It is set in with the other homes to the North of Earth Salon on the corner. It blends right in, as it looks very similar to all the other residential housing.

Hoshida is very quaint- with only 4 or 5 tables. I would recommend calling ahead if you have a large group, as it appears it is the husband and wife who are the only people who work here. You may also have faster service if you let them know ahead of time that you plan on coming. We called because we didn’t know what to expect, and they said it is generally best to make a reservation.

They serve a course menu; so you choose a main dish and you also get a few choices of soup, salad, bread, or rice. We went to celebrate my birthday and ordered a small bottle of champagne. They have quite a few different beverage options. We didn’t order anything for my son, as I assumed he would just share with me. They brought him soup and a small dinner free of charge! It was so nice!

They asked if we were celebrating anything special, I assume because of the champagne, and we told them it was my birthday. They dimmed the lights and brought out a chocolate fruit cake and sang Happy Birthday. There were other people in the restaurant, too, but no one seemed to mind. It was a pretty special place.

Hours: Lunch– 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dinner– 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

CLOSED TUESDAY

Phone: 098-926-1387

Payment: Yen Only

Address: 15-52 Mihama, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0115, Japan

Directions: From Foster Commissary Gate:

• Turn Right out of the gate and head north on 58.
• Turn Left at the Starbucks intersection, opposite the Lester Gate.
• Turn Right at the last light (opposite the baseball field).
• Go past the movie theater and past Makeman on your left.
• On the very next block on your right on the corner is Hoshida Restaurant.
• No parking available.

Coordinates: 26.3182359, 127.75675380000007

• Take 330 toward the new Aeon Mall.
• Turn at the light by the mall onto 85 (left if you’re coming from Kadena; right if you’re coming from Foster).
• Go down the hill toward Awase.  At the bottom of the hill, turn left at the light onto 85 (there is an Eneos on the right, a Family Mart across the intersection on the left and you would be heading towards Sam’s on the Sea if you went straight).
• Turn left at the Four Seasons Steakhouse.
• Pink Queen is about 2km up on your left.  There is a parking spot just in front of her door and to the left of her building is a small gravel lot with a couple of designated “Pink Queen” spots.

CONTRIBUTED BY BRANDI JAKUBOWICZ

It was a rainy Thursday afternoon when my husband unexpectedly had the day off of work. We planned to do some outside activities, but the weather quickly changed those plans. We decided that rather than venturing outside in the rain, we would go explore the new Aeon Okinawa Rycom Mall, hoping that it would be less busy during the week. We worked up quite the appetite as we worked our way through the mall, and after touring the various food court style lunch options decided to go to the fifth floor “Sky Diner” to see what they had to offer. The scenic views from the top are breathtaking and the smells are quite enticing– a great advertisement for the selection of restaurants that are on this floor.

After completing a round on the fifth floor to look at the different dining options, we ended up deciding to eat at Wild Ocean, a wonderful dine-in seafood and steak restaurant. From the outside, the restaurant has a very modern look with a wall of windows and glass that nicely display the sleek and stylish décor. Inside there is a fully stocked bar, a large amount of booths and tables, and a fresh salad bar. There are also windows framing the grill section so you can watch your food being prepared before it is brought to your table.

We were seated immediately and presented with English menus. The menu had a variety of foo, including: steak, chicken, pork, salmon, hamburgers and various combinations of the meats. All of the meals came with corn, potatoes and the salad/dessert bar, plus the prices were very reasonable. There is also a children’s menu and a unique drink menu with beer, wine, and tropical cocktails to choose from. There is also an optional drink bar that you can add on to your meals for 2.50 yen that includes coffee, tea, or an assortment of fresh fruit juices. The staff’s English was poor but they had written “cheat sheets” and were actively utilizing them. They were very attentive and worked hard to ensure that all of our needs were met despite the language barrier. There was a bit of confusion when only one of us wanted the drink bar, but the staff was quick to fix the error and very apologetic.

I chose the salmon meal, and my husband ordered the steak and hamburger platter. The salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked, and my husband’s food was delicious as well. The hamburger was more of the typical Japanese smothered burger, that is a bit reminiscent of Salisbury steak as opposed to an American style hamburger, but he very much enjoyed it.

As good as the food was, I must say, the highlight of the meal is really the salad bar, which you are guided to after ordering so that you can enjoy it while you wait for your entrée. There is a large selection of fresh chopped vegetables and salad toppings, as well as various prepared salads with four different dressings to choose from. There are also three different kinds of soup, two different kinds of rice, bread, curry and a dessert section. The hot items were hot and everything tasted very fresh. The curry and the garlic rice on the salad bar were, in my opinion, the best curry that I have had on the island thus far. It had large chunks of tender meat in it and the garlic rice was the perfect complement to it. The dessert bar, not that you really have room, consisted of sliced fruit, three different kinds of jello, and a few brownie/cake like bars.

Our bill was a little over 4,000 yen for two entrees and all of the extras that came with it. Overall it was a very good experience and I would definitely recommend it to others if you are looking for a more upscale sit down meal or just want to take in the sweeping views of the island over a deliciously crafted cocktail.

Hours: 1000-2200 7 days a week

Phone Number: 098-982-2051

Payment: Yen and Credit Cards

Address:  Japan, 〒901-2305 Okinawa-ken, Nakagami-gun, Kitanakagusuku-son, Higa 県道85号線

Directions: Located on 5^th floor of the Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom which is known as the “Sky Diner”.  Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom is located near the intersection of 85 and 330.

From Kadena Gate 2

• Turn right at Koza Music Center onto 330.
• Continue on 330 and you will see the mall on the left hand side.

From Kadena Gate 1

• Head south on 58 and then turn left onto 23
• Turn right onto 85
• Right before the mall you cross 330.
• The mall will be clearly visible from that intersection.

Coordinates: 26.314286238611693, 127.79647502090143

CONTRIBUTED BY Fun Flying Four

Have you been to Minotagawa yet? You seriously need to… it’s a foodies delight!

Claire Bray-Collin already wrote about the delicious oHacorte Patisserie, (and I can personally vouch for the deliciousness of the tarts!) and Angie Brzycki mentioned a few restaurants in her post on the  Minatogawa Area, but today I want to talk about another eatery: Rich Epi. This little gem has, quite possibly, one of the best curries I have had on island!

Located on Michigan Street of the Old Military Housing area, Rich Epi is opposite Casa Machilda, which is a darling wooden toy shop that is a perfect place to take the kids for a play before heading here for lunch!

The cafe is light and welcoming and the staff, while they only spoke a little English, were all friendly and went out of their way to help us understand the menu options– which are displayed on an iPad.

For lunch they only do a set (salad+main+drink=980 Yen) but you have four options for your main: chicken, meat (I think beef), a curry (which had meat in it but I am not sure if it was beef or pork) and, I believe, a fish option. On weekdays they also have a pasta option.

They do a kids set (780 yen) which contains fruit, curly fries, a small salad, a deep fried ravioli and rice with a tomato based mild curry; we got one to share between my girls (aged 2 & 5) and it was the perfect amount. They both devoured it, so it must have been good. I should also mention that while they welcomed children, I didn’t notice that they had any highchairs, but I also didn’t ask for one.

My husband ordered the chicken and I settled on the curry; they were both fantastic but we agreed the curry was lick-the-plate-clean good, even our oldest agreed!

We have yet to return to try out dinner but looking at their website it looks amazing; lots of pasta & seafood (and all reasonably priced) and they also serve adult drinks…I am thinking this might the location of our next date night!

Hours: Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Cafe Hours: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Last order: 9:00 p.m.

CLOSED Mondays and the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of ever month

Phone: 098-943-1713

Address: 2 Chome-12-7 Minatogawa, Urasoe-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-2134, Japan

Directions: From Kadena Gate 1

• Turn left on 58, heading south
• Continue on 58 for 9.7 km
• You will see a large glass building called Yamada Denki Techland Urasoe on your right, and that is where you should turn left.
• Drive about 250 meters and make another left turn.
• Casa Machilda will be on your left and Rich Epi will be on your right

Additional notes from a reader: Driving south, you’ll pass the entrance to Kinser on your right. Take a left at the third light after the Kinser intersection. There will be a Kanehide on the right (green sign with two orange birds on it). When you take the left at the light there’ll be a ramp with a painted white wall and that will take you down into the Minotogawa neighborhood.

Coordinates: 26.2633063, 127.71650369999998

Website: www.richepi.com

CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH BANCROFT

When you plan a vacation what is your least favorite part? Is it finding a flight? Reserving a car? Booking a hotel? Well, for me, it is definitely the hotel, which is why I am here to tell you about a new-to-me accommodation finder called Air BnB.

My husband and I tried Air BnB for the first time during a recent trip to Auckland, New Zealand. When we were first planning the trip and looking for a hotel we had a few requirements that we would have liked to have provided by the hotel. The requirements included: proximity to tourist locations, free WiFi and/or internet, and free breakfast. We did find quite a few nice hotels that would have worked, but many we either too expensive, too far away, or did not have the amenities we were looking for. This made the vacation planning process rather difficult.

Enter Air BnB! We had heard about this website from some friends and decided to take a look at what the offerings were and what the prices would be. I would have to say that we were pleasantly surprised. They have various listings including full houses, apartments, or private rooms with shared baths. They were also very competitive in their pricing and offered similar amenities to local hotels.

When we finally found an apartment that we wanted to look into further, we had to create an account so we could contact the owner. Setting up an account is easy. Air BnB requires basic account information like age, location, phone number, email, etc. One interesting thing about Air BnB is that they ask for your photo and a drivers license. We assume this is to verify your identity. All-in-all the process was rather simple.

Once we had the account set up, we were able to contact the owner of the apartment via the Air BnB site or via email as they are both linked together. We explained a bit of our situation to the owner of the apartment, including where we were coming from, why we were visiting, and to double check if the apartment was available for the dates we needed. The owner was very prompt in her responses and provided us with all the information we needed to confirm that we wanted to book her apartment for a week. Payment was through the secure PayPal system, as it was the accepted form for the owner and we were paying her directly.

One unique aspect of using Air BnB is the arrangement for meeting the owner, or gaining access to the dwelling. I have read that owners can arrange a personal meeting, have a key-holder meet you, or provide lock-box instructions. Our owner provided us with detailed instructions for obtaining the key to the apartment via a lock-box. It was a bit of a treasure hunt but fun and exciting!

The apartment was not exactly what we were expecting, but we found out after the week stay that it suited our needs very well. It was a personal apartment so there was a small kitchen, laundry, bathroom and bedroom, as well as a living/dinning area and a private patio. For amenities, the owner had cable and internet that we were free to use. They also gave us free reign on the pantry items in the kitchen as there had been many guests before us and many coming after us. For example, we used some mustard in the fridge, but then left some extra drinks for the next tenants. We also took advantage of the kitchen and used it to make some breakfasts and lunches. Air BnB helped very much as it was a great way to save some money and not be dependent on hotel offerings.

When we checked out we noticed that a cleaning company came in shortly after we left. This was very nice to know. We had the impression that the apartment was cleaned similar to a hotel, for example: washing the sheets, vacuuming and replenishing toiletries. We also left the key in the lock-box for the next residents to find.

Contact with the owner was constant before, during and after our stay and it was prompt and very helpful, making for a wonderful experience. Both my husband and I will try Air BnB in the future and we are telling all our friends about it as well. It sure has our vote over a hotel, both for the money saved and the cultural experience.

CONTRIBUTED BY ALLI MARTIN

If you ever drive the 330, then you have definitely seen this crepe restaurant- whether you know it or not! It’s small and located in the Plaza House Shopping Center, but it’s there! Le Village Galette en Crepe is a cute little place with a delicious menu. The full menu is served at dinner and includes pasta and other main dishes, the lunch menu is more limited, but fortunately, both menus include crepes!

Le Village reminds me of a café you would find in France, complete with rouge accents and wine displays. There are very few tables in the restaurant, but we did not have a problem snagging one of them during lunch.

The only real problem is that the full menu is in Japanese and the staff does not speak much English. Of course Okinawans are more than wiling to overcome the language barrier, so it’s not a hard work around. The dinner special menu is in English, so that’s a plus. The menu itself is adorable. Almost like a scrapbook:

We ordered two crepes: the first was a savory option with the lunch special, and the other was a dessert crepe. If you have never had a crepe, it’s similar to a very thin pancake, made of flour. They had options for regular white flour crepes or buckwheat flour crepe. We tried buckwheat with the savory crepe and regular white flour for the dessert crepe.

The lunch special came with an appetizer of yummy chicken salad, a side of pickled carrots, potato soup, and a drink. The savory crepe we chose had mushrooms, pancetta, egg and tomato. The dessert crepe had strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream. The dessert crepe was delicious, I preferred it to the savory crepe – but maybe that’s because it had ice cream!

Hours: Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Closed Thursdays.

Phone: 81 98-930-5882

Payment: Yen Only

Address: 3 Chome-1-9 Kubota, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-0023, Japan

Directions:

From Camp Foster:

Exit the Legion gate and turn Left on the 330

Follow this road up to where the Aeon mall is

Plaza House Shopping Center will be on the right hand side past the mall.

From Kadena:

Exit Gate 2 and make a right on the 330

Take the 330 down and you will see Plaza House Shopping Center on the left

It is before you hit the big Aeon mall

There is a large orange sign for the Shopping Center with several other restaurants and shops.

Coordinates: 26.319522, 127.79371809999998

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 school since everyone has a different experience, so please feel free to add in your two cents in the comments.

If your child attends a school that has not been reviewed on this site, please contact our Submissions Manager for the template.

CONTRIBUTED BY KATELYN YANES

Name of the school: Baby 123 Island Style Daycare

Address: 2-92 Miyagi, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0113, Japan

Phone: 098-926-0826

Website: okinawadaycare.jp

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BABY123IslandStyleDaycare

Ages Accepted: 6 weeks to 5-6 years (until child starts kindergarten). There is only one child under 6 months of age taken at a time; this makes sure that the child is given the attention needed. My son started at 5 months and has never had a diaper rash or been crying when I picked him up.

Ages of Your Kid(s) in this School: 1.5 and 5

Admissions/Enrollment

What is the max number of students that your school has? 26 students

What is the current number of students? Right now there are 16 students in the school.

Is enrollment open/year-round enrollment or per semester? Year-round.

Can I bring my child in for a pre-enrollment visit? Visits can be scheduled for 9:15 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., please just call and let the teachers/owner know that you are coming. They are very flexible.

Does my child have to be potty-trained to attend? The teachers are extremely wonderful about helping children to become potty trained. My son is not even 2 and he is already completely potty trained. Many others would agree their children potty trained early with Baby 123. They also accept cloth diapering in all age groups.

Days and hours:

What are the school’s hours?  School hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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

How flexible is the school with pickup and drop-off times? Drop off and pickup is very flexible. They just recommend children are dropped off before 9:15 because that’s when the “class” time is scheduled. Pickup is usually any time after 2pm (after nap time).

Costs: 

What are the registration fees? $40 registration fee. One time only.

What are the tuition fees? Full time tuition is $500 per month. Part-time tuition is $400 per month. 20hrs/week

Are any discounts offered for referrals, siblings, volunteering, working there, etc.? No, there is no discount for siblings.

Is there a late-pickup fee? Yes

How and when does the school require payment (in yen, dollars, etc.)? Tuition is due at the beginning of each month and is to be paid in dollars.

Parent Involvement and Interaction:

Does the school encourage spontaneous visits from parents? The school has a set schedule, however, parents are always welcome to come to the school to help/visit their child.

How do you communicate with parents? Each child has a personal booklet, and the teachers are always willing to talk to the parents when they pick up the child.

Is there a daily report or other process for informing parents of what children did during the day (naps, BMs, snacks, etc.)? Yes. In each child’s booklet it is written down what they did throughout the day. All diaper changes (pee/stool) or bathroom visits, how much they ate for breakfast/lunch/snack and how long they napped. There is also a place where the teachers can notify the parents of misbehavior or any exceptional things they did that day.

Are there parent/teacher conferences? No, however parents are encouraged to write in the booklet and teachers will respond.

Classroom Structure and Size:

How are the kids grouped? Mixed ages / grouped by age? There are two classes. The “big kid” class and the “baby class” (as my kids describe). The older class is regularly 3-5 and the toddler class 0-2.

What’s the teacher-child ratio in each group? There is 1 full-time teacher in the big kid class and the class regularly has about 8-10 students. (Only 6 at this time). The Baby class has 1 full time teacher and 1 assistant, with the toddler class having about 10-15 students.

How many full-time teachers do you have? How many assistants? 2 Full time, 1 Assistant

What is the school’s educational philosophy? Is the school program developmentally-based or does it have an academic focus? It has a mix of both. The older class has more of a focus on academics, however, it is not pressured and kids get frequent breaks/recess time.

Is there a playground for the children to play on?  No, but there are many parks in the area that the children walk to.

What do the children do on any given day? The kids have a set schedule with playtime at the start of the day before “class time” begins. The classes split and the older class gets class time for 1-1.5 hours. During this time they work on identifying letters/words and beginning reading in English and Japanese. The older children also have lots of number identification, early addition and subtraction, puzzles, flag identification and a mix of educational lessons.

The little kid’s class sings lots of songs (English/Japanese) and learns their alphabet, colors, letters, shapes and early puzzles.

Are there extracurricular activities or field trips?  Wednesday mornings are “exercise” mornings where all of the children get together and do a range of “exercises” that incorporates lots of dancing and stretching. During the summer, the older class goes to the beach almost daily, and the little kid’s class gets to go outside in the “baby” pools to cool off and have fun in the water.

There is a children’s yoga class that meets 2 times per month for the older class. The kids LOVE this course and get to learn new yoga transitions, as well as how to focus on oneself. Many of these classes take place outside/on the beach when the weather is nice. They also celebrate each child’s birthday. Parents are invited to come to the school for lunch and a treat. The kids love having their own birthday parties at school.

How does the school discipline children?  The children are talked to about their behavior, redirected, and in rare cases the older children can be put into “time out” if the behavior is not corrected. Parents are always notified, and they leave a lot of the discipline to the parents.

How does the school comfort children?  The children absolutely LOVE their teachers; frequently the kids don’t want to go home and beg to go back in to see their teachers. There are lots of hugs and kind words.

Additional Comments:

Baby 123 has been a home away from home for my two children throughout the last year and a half. Originally, my son started at 5 months and my daughter at 3 years. They have grown and advanced in the school and sadly my daughter will be off to kindergarten next year, however I have a new 6 week old to start right as she leaves. One of my biggest loves for this school is its small size. This let’s the children really get to know their teachers, and each child has a personal relationship with their teachers. The owner is the teacher of the big kids class and everyone LOVES Takako. My son walks around at home asking for her and my daughter tells me Kako is her best friend.

When I first looked at this school I thought the smaller facility was going to be an issue, however, the teachers are AMAZING with how they clean/stack up everything to allow class time and play time. The rooms completely transition from playtime/naptime/class time and it really gives the kids a “homey” feel. There is also a Facebook page that is only accessible to the parents of children in the school where pictures are posted each day to show how the children are doing. This helps give parents peace of mind while they are away.

The biggest draw, in my opinion, is that if your child is under 6 months they will have undivided attention since no others under the 6 month mark will be accepted until yours is over six months. I have never picked up my child with a wet/poopy diaper nor have they ever had a diaper rash. It’s nice knowing my kids are loved and cared for the way I would care for them at home. We love the teachers so much that one is now our weekend babysitter when we need a date night. I can’t say enough good things about Baby 123, and all of the other parents I know have the same love for the school that I do.

Directions

From Kadena Gate 1

• Turn left
• Make the first right at the light and head all the way down
• You’ll pass the last light on the street and Baby 123 will be on the right
• It’s only a couple hundred feet away from the Sunabe Seawall

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

As if you needed another reason to love Okinawa, the abundance of quality bakeries on the island is unbelievable. Add Imai Pain to that list.

Located near Shuri Castle and Shikinaen Gardens, if you find yourself in the eastern part of Naha, do your tastebuds a f(l)avor and stop in for some treats. Whether it’s savory or sweet baked goods you fancy, your needs will be met.

The variety of items at Imai Pain is incredible. Baguettes, curry bread, sweet, savory tarts, chiffon cakes and even deli style sandwiches on the cutest little rolls. They even have pre-made gift packs ready to go with macaroons, biscotti, and more. The staff is extremely friendly and happy to have new customers, the owner/baker even came out from the kitchen to thank us for coming. So go, eat bread and cake, and be merry. That’s an order!

Hours:

Phone: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Closed Holidays)

Payment: Yen

Address: 12-4 Maaji Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 902-0072 Japan

Coordinates: 26.207339, 127.715352

Website: http://imaipain.ti-da.net/

Facebook: Imai Pain

Instagram: @imaipain_okinawa

CONTRIBUTED BY MARISSA MATSUZAKI

There are so many parks in Okinawa to explore. What type of parks do you fancy? How about one with a beach, a fish pond, the seawall, a playground, a field to play sports, or many trails for walking and running? Ginowan Seaside Park has all of those things and more.

Like so many others, I am always curious about the attraction names I see on the white signs that line the main roads here. Ginowan Seaside Park caught my eye the other day and I just had to check it out! On my way to Nitori I saw the large Torii Gates that graced the entrance and realized I had seen signs leading to this park from route 58. Access to the park is very easy and they have plenty of parking. Beside the parking lot there is a stream and a fish pond full of Koi and even a few turtles.

I moved toward the trail with the stroller and found that there is a large loop around a huge field as well as several other trails that branch off from the main loop, including a walk on the sea wall. In several places, you can find a map that lets you know the distance of each path—which I find to be an excellent tool for setting running goals.

Throughout the track there are several exercise stations complete with signs that instruct you on how to use the outdoor equipment. It was like being at the gym only with fresh air, nice scenery and a lot more space! I plan on using this park in the future to get in some good workouts with my baby and stroller in tow since there is ample opportunity for strength and endurance training on paths that are stroller friendly.

As if the trail and sports area isn’t enough, there is also a beach, equipment rentals, a gift shop, lockers, an observation center and several vending machines.

Hours:

Reception Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Closed Days: Every Second & Fourth Tuesday and December 12 through January 3

Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Restaurant: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For hours of operation for the beach area, you’ll want to utilize the phone number provided as that area of the park likely changes with the tide (literally). Overall I found this to be a very nice park for workout buffs and families. It is also conveniently located near Kadena and Camp Foster.

Phone: 098-898-3000

Directions:  Going south on 58, shortly after Foster’s Commissary Gate, turn RIGHT at the first large stoplight. There will be a sign saying “Convention Center.” Keep going on this road for at least 3 kilometers or more. You will pass the 100 Yen Shopping Plaza and ANA Hotel. On the right side, there will be a red, Asian-style entrance gate.

Turn RIGHT through those gates and turn LEFT into the parking lot. Continue to the end of the parking lot where you will see a whale fountain. Follow the path on foot toward the play structures.

Address: 4 Chome-3-1 Mashiki, Ginowan-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-2224, Japan

Coordinates: 26.2814275, 127.73280699999998

CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTIN LITTLE

I found my journey to yoga while looking for relief from anxiety and panic. I was not fully sold on the idea that yoga would help (but deep down I felt like it could be the answer). I had practiced yoga for about a year before moving to Okinawa, however, after our move and the subsequent culture shock, my panic and agoraphobia came back and hit me hard. I could not go into the commissary, BX, or go off base, even with help. Standing in line anywhere was pure torture and I would bail, even if I was the next person up. My anxiety was like a secret, you would have never known just looking at me, but inside I was living a nightmare. I finally decided to give yoga another try, and sought out the help of Rebecca Cohen at the Risner Gym on Kadena. She taught me some simple breathing exercises that I used one specific day in line at the post office. It worked. I stayed in line and got my packages like a champ!

I was sold on yoga as a tool to help my anxiety, so I decided not just to practice it, but to learn it. Rebecca was advertising her teacher training at one of the worst times in my life, and something kept telling me to do it. I was worried about the cost and the amount of time I was going to put into this program: $2150 for three days a week for three months at the Risner Gym on Kadena. But if you are considering becoming a certified yoga instructor while on Okinawa, this is the program for you!

Everyone has different reasons for practicing yoga, and mine was very personal. I was so nervous, but Rebecca creates a learning environment that allows you to feel comfortable and share your experiences with your fellow yogi’s. I never felt judged or ashamed. My personal story is what fueled my desire to soak up every bit of information I could from Rebecca, Rewa (her adjunct yoga instructor), and my classmates.

The course is broken up into two parts. The first part is learning the basic concepts of yoga, how to practice, how to meditate, and a lot of other useful and fun tools. You spend 1-3 hours practicing (don’t fear this part, you truly begin to love 90 mins) asana, chanting, and meditation. Another 1-3 hours of the day is lecture time. The second part of the course is when it gets fun! By this point, you have begun your transformation and are ready to start practicing with your classmates with hands on adjustments, and one-on-one teaching. Upon completion of this life changing course, you will be 200 hour Yoga Alliance certified.

To read the complete run down of the course, you can visit Rebecca’s personal page at: http://www.rebeccacohenyoga.com and click on the 200 hour teacher training link.

I share my personal story with you, because I know I am not alone. Throughout this journey, I found myself wishing someone had pointed me in the direction of yoga many years ago. It is true when said, “These things come to you when you need them most”. Even if you are not sure you are ready to become a teacher, I highly recommend you take a class with Rebecca at the Risner. Yoga hasn’t cured me from anxiety, but it has changed my thought process and brought me back to a life I missed so much.

Every yogi in my class has a different story to tell, and her experience is different from my own, but I am confident that they would all agree, Rebecca Cohen’s Teacher Training will be life changing for you! I completed the course with a desire to help others like me; to make sure people did not suffer from anxiety and to show them how yoga can change their lives.

Directions: The Risner Gym is located on Kadena Air Base just off Douglas Road (the main road that runs from Gate 1 to Gate 3).

Cost: $2150, plus books. Amazon will ship all of the books you need! Rebecca and the Risner Gym will work a payment program with you if you are unable to pay the full amount up front. Remember that your certification is for your lifetime, so this is a one-time investment into your future.

CONTRIBUTED BY JARED DAYOUB

My intent in this article is to provide single service members information when PCSing to Okinawa via the Patriot Express, or AMC flight out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In the weeks leading up to my departure, I scoured the internet for as much information pertaining to the flight as possible using sites like this one as well as a laundry list of blogs, youtube channels, and military websites. I am truly grateful to all the military spouses and others who chose to share their experiences, as much of it was invaluable. I simply wanted to share my own experience as a single service member in hopes of eliminating any confusion others may face in the future and provide insight to make your trip as smooth as possible.

Day Of Departure

I pinched myself as I rose from the slumber on my friend’s couch in San Diego to ensure I wasn’t dreaming. It was hard to believe…my thirty days of leave had come to a close. After some last minute packing and final goodbyes, I made my way to the airport for the commercial portion of the trip.

Upon arriving at SEA-TAC airport around 5:30 p.m., I immediately headed to the USO on the Mezzanine level with hopes of gathering more information on the Patriot Express and to kill time in one of the amazingly comfortable, new La-Z-Boys. I strongly recommend to singles and families alike, that if you plan on checking into the USO at all, do so as early as possible. Once you are checked in and receive a stamp, you are free to come and go as you please.

The newly renovated and enlarged facility was at max capacity at approximately 8:00 p.m. Arriving early will ensure you have a comfortable piece of real estate and an outlet to charge your devices before the entire military and their families arrive. You will also be able to store your luggage here. Make sure you get a yellow claim ticket for your bags, or you may have minor hiccups when it’s time to retrieve them. There are volunteers standing by the luggage room the whole time, ensuring nobody grabs the wrong bag. Another thing to note, is that if you want to avoid paying $5 for the luggage cart, there are plenty of abandoned ones scattered throughout the airport, particularly in the baggage claim areas and the parking garage just across from ground transportation.

Now, for the fun part. As silly as it is (welcome to the military), check in begins at 2:30 a.m. for the AMC flight, but it does not depart until approximately 8:30 a.m. Check-in and baggage check takes place on the ticketing level next to Hawaiian Airlines and is clearly marked AMC on the marquee. Trust me when I say that you want to be lined up with your bags no later than midnight. The entire queue was filled between 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Military members with children line up in a separate line to the left of the AMC ticket counters. If you see someone with children in the wrong line, please do them a favor and point them in the right direction. Ensure you have a spare set of orders, military ID (for active members) or passport (for dependents/civilians). Also, if the combined weight of your 2 allotted check bags exceeds 140 pounds, you will be required to pay a hefty fee on the spot. To quote the AMC representative, “we will get our money, even if it means payroll deductions”.

There are two major benefits for lining up early: seating preference and free time. Seating is first come, first serve. This gives you the opportunity to request first class or business class, provided there aren’t too many Distinguished Visitors (O6 and above; E9). If not, you may at least be able to snag an emergency exit row, aisle, or window seat. This is a 10.5 hour flight and no one enjoys the middle seat! Secondly, being one of the first in line will allot you extra time for a preflight nap, breakfast, a shower, or an open outlet to finish charging your electronics before it’s time to go through security. If you made it this far, relax! The hard part is over, unless you lost your ID. Oops!

I read on several sites, including AMC’s facebook page, that there would be 5:30 a.m. roll call. This was not the case on our particular flight. We did not have to be at the gate until 7:30 a.m. for roll call/boarding. Ask on your particular flight for more information, as this may change week to week. Security moved very quickly due to the large number of lanes, but allow yourself ample time to catch the train to the S gates. I would suggest going through security at 6:30 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. boarding time. I think that just about covers all things AMC to Okinawa. I hope this has provided you all with some useful tips and eases your minds as you prepare for your PCS to Okinawa!

Wheels up, I hope you made it! Next stops: Yokota, Iwo Kuni, and finally, home sweet home!

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

Guys! I found a really awesome coffee shop that you need to check out! It was just opened on June 22nd by a young couple who have great style and personality. Sakura and Tarou not only make you feel welcome in their new shop, but they brew a great cup of coffee. They open at 7am (7AM!!!!!), do take-out, and offer four versions of dutch baby pancakes. If that isn’t enough for you, they have both indoor and outdoor seating AND a hammock!

It’s tucked just far enough off of 330 to be away from the hustle and bustle, and is surrounded by beautiful trees and plants and is even accessorized by a sleepy calico cat. Go, tell them Okinawa Hai sent you, and enjoy your caffeine buzz!

***They currently offer dutch pancakes (the first I’ve found on the island) and a toast set. They plan to expand their food menu to include items like panini and french toast.

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to  7 p.m. Daily

Phone Number: 098-923-3723

Payment: Yen and dollars (with plans to accept credit cards in the near future)

Address: #11 588 Zukeran-Kitanakagusuku Village, Okinawa 901-2317

GPS Coordinates: 26.309123, 127.781229

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MotherCoffee