CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH BANCROFT

We all fear the dreaded ‘death’ of a car. The battery is dead, the starter is shot, you have a flat tire and cannot change it on your own, among other problems. Well, if you have your supplemental Japanese Insurance you’re in luck! Both ACE and AIU Insurance companies offer free towing. The limit is three free tows per each contract or per vehicle. All you have to do is call them up and they come to you and tow your car to the nearest auto shop. The hard part comes when they need to get on base.

When our car died on Kadena we tried to have it jumped but it did not start so we assumed it was a larger issue then just a dead battery. We called up the number for ACE towing. They asked me a few questions in regards to our name, number, policy number, car make and model, location, what’s wrong with the car, where we want it towed, etc. They then connect to the towing company and you stay on the line as they relay everything to them. Once done, you arrange to meet the tow truck at a base gate with a visitors center as you need to act as an escort to the tow truck.

This was a bit of a struggle at first, as we had no car to meet the tow truck in the first place. We ended up getting a ride back home from some friends and then returned the following day to meet the tow truck.

Once you can meet the tow truck driver at a visitors center, you present your ID and sign in your info, and the tow driver does the same. Some installations may have the driver bring their truck through an inspection area. For us, we had to go through inspections on Kadena. I just sat behind the truck as it was being inspected.

Once through base security I directed the tow truck to our dead car’s location and they did an initial inspection on it, to include checking the battery. They used a little machine that ended up starting the car! The technician informed us that the battery was old and need to be replaced. He also said to not stop the car until we got it to an auto shop. After parting with the tow truck (they do not need to be escorted off base) we immediately drove the care to an auto shop and had the battery replaced. Needless to say we were very happy that the issue was not something worse. We were also very happy with the speed and quality of the services provided.

ACE Towing Number: 098-938-4279 (This is the Kadena ACE office number. You can call any ACE location and ask for towing assistance and they should be able to transfer you.)

Website: ACE Free Towing

AIU Towing Number: 0120-30-9016

Website: AIU Free Towing

We will be publishing base reviews of all US Military Installations on Okinawa over the course of the rest of this year. Many thanks to Anthony for taking on this time-intensive and incredibly helpful series for our readers!

CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA

Camp Kinser, Urasoe City

click photo for source

Overview

Camp Kinser is one of the southernmost bases on Okinawa and is near the prefecture capital city of Naha. It is named after Sergeant Elbert L. Kinser who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa during the Second World War. Camp Kinser is one of several installations throughout Okinawa which make up the Marine Corps Base Smedley D. Butler.

Housing

Camp Kinser has on-base family housing units and a satellite military housing office. Units on Kinser range from multiplex to tower apartment style quarters. All housing on Okinawa is run by the Air Force. For more information or floor plans you can visit the Okinawa housing website at: http://www.housing.af.mil/okinawa/

Current as of February 2015, you can only live off base if your designated housing areas are 98 percent filled or above. The primary housing area for Kinser is on Camp Kinser and the secondary housing area is Camp Foster. Generally 4 bedroom housing fills up the fastest because only the multiplex units contain quarters that large. The housing occupancy numbers are updated weekly.

Camp Kinser also has bachelor quarters for junior enlisted, Staff NCO, and Officer unaccompanied Marines. Most individual units manage their own barracks but SNCO and Officer Quarters are managed by the base’s Camp Services Section.

There are no temporary lodging units on Camp Kinser. Most inbound families to Camp Kinser typically stay at the WestPac Lodge (Camp Foster) http://www.mccsokinawa.com/lodging/ or Shogun Inn http://af.dodlodging.net/propertys/Kadena-AB (Kadena AFB).

Shopping

The base has a small exchange in building 1227 which offers a decent electronics, apparel, household goods, toy and stationery section. The main Base Exchange (BX) building houses a food court, Community Bank ATM, barber shop, beauty shop and video game arcade. The BX here also has a military clothing store which has a decent selection of Navy and Marine Corps uniform items. On the external side of the BX, facing the parking lot is the dry cleaning, tailor, Softbank cell phone retailer, and Exchange new car sales office. The main website for the BX on Camp Kinser is: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores/Okinawa/OKI/Camp%20Kinser/Camp-Kinser-1771006

Adjacent to the main BX is a medium sized commissary. This particular commissary takes cash, credit or debit cards but does not have self-checkout lanes. There is also a deli and bakery onsite that one can order a sandwich at lunchtime or preorder a custom birthday cake. For more info visit: http://www.commissaries.com/stores/html/store.cfm?dodaac=HQCWHP

Camp Kinser also is home to the base facilities’ main bakery, located in building 301. The main bakery has a small retail store which sells items direct to customers, sometimes at a discounted price.

An exchange convenience store near the post office and bowling alley sells alcohol, snacks, drinks, hotdogs, medicine, magazines and some household convenience items.

There are two financial institutions located on Camp Kinser. Community Bank is located in building 1205 and is the only of the two financial institutions that can exchange foreign currency. Navy Federal Credit Union serves all branches of the military to include DoD members and their families. The credit union is located near the base theatre in building 519. For more info on Navy Fed visit their website at: https://www.navyfederal.org/branches-atms/locations-by-service.php?branch=MarineCorps

There is a fully functional United States Post Office that offers retails services such as Express Mail, Priority Mail, standard shipping, stamp sales and money order sales. The post office accepts cash, credit or debit cards. The Kinser post office also houses PO boxes which are issued to personnel with an area clearance. A sponsor can reserve a PO Box for an inbound family prior to their arrival on island as long as he has a copy of that inbound family’s area clearance and orders. It is extremely helpful for a family to know their new mailing address before they have to move to Okinawa.

Dining

The Exchange food court offers franchise favorites such as Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Subway. In the same building but closer to the exchange entrance is the Marion Café, which is affiliated with Green Beans coffee and offers beverages, smoothies and light meals. The food varies from breakfast platters and sandwiches to curry rice. The Café also offers free Wi-Fi and specializes as a coffee shop. All food court eateries accept cash, credit, debit and yen. You can also order your meals online for pickup via the Kinser Food Court online menu at: https://aafesprem.imenu360.com/547.

A Burger King restaurant with a drive through window is located near the main exchange in building 1227. This facility offers ample parking and seating but does not have a kids’ playarea. There is a playground and pavilion located across the street adjacent to Roberts Field.

The base club is called the Kinser Surfside, which has Officer, SNCO and Enlisted lounges as well as an all-ranks full service restaurant. The view from the main dining room at the surfside is superb, and the main restaurant usually has themed buffet lunches. The Surfside as of February 2015 is in the process of a major renovation. Updates and details can be found at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/surfside/

Near the bowling alley is the Marion Diner, which is more of a restaurant than its sister store near the main exchange. This establishment is a popular alternative to the food court, particularly at lunch time.

One of the best kept secrets on Camp Kinser is the American Grill within building 107. As one of the few remaining American Grill eateries left on island, it is one of the best places to get an affordable bite to eat. Particularly popular here are the breakfast combos which range around $5 or $6 and are generous portion sizes. It is fairly small inside with only four tables seating about four people each, but there are picnic tables just outside the rear entrance to the building.

Recreation

There is a base gym located in building 1307 which offers a large weight room, adequate cardio room, racquetball courts, basketball court, HITT room, and martial arts room. For specific information on hours or contact info, please visit the MCCS Fitness Center website at http://www.mccsokinawa.com/fitness/

Near the gym is the base pool. The pool offers both recreational and lap swim. You can read more about this pool in an article about the Kinser pool, previously published in 2008, here: http://okinawahai.com/kinser-pool/

The main athletic area on Camp Kinser is Roberts Field, which is composed of a football field surrounded by a 400 meter track. Adjacent to the track is a small park with pavilions, grills and a playground.

At one time there was beach access to the base. Due to the land reclamation efforts and construction of an elevated bypass road, this is no more. However, Tsunami Scuba is a well-stocked scuba shop on Kinser, which also offers lessons and certifications. Despite not being able to access the ocean directly from the base, there are still several nearby beaches which offer crystal clear waters teeming with exotic life. Okinawa is truly a diver or snorkeler’s paradise. The website for all island dive shops is: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/tsunamiscuba/

For those wanting to keep abreast of the latest Hollywood blockbuster, the base theatre here offers current movies inside with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean outside. For current prices and show times visit the Exchange Reel Time website at: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/reel-time-theatres/Camp-Kinser-1771006. (You can also find more information about theaters across the island on this post, published in December 2014.)

Family Services

Marine and Family Programs have a well-equipped facility which is located within building 1220. For more information you can go to their webpage at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/mfp-r/

The Kinser Teen Center is available for dependents between the ages of 13-18 and is found in building 1316. Specific information is available at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/youthandteen/

Nearby the Teen Center in building 1319 is the Kinser Bowling Alley. This facility is a cozy but affordable recreational option. For specific information on the MCCS bowling alleys, visit http://www.mccsokinawa.com/bowling/

Children who are a bit younger can find activities at the Kinser Youth Center which has recreational activities for children between the ages of 10-12. Specific information can be found at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/youth_centers/

A Child Development Center (CDC) on Camp Kinser called the Kinser Yuimaru located in building 864. Specific information can be found at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/cdc/

Education

The only DoDEA School on the facility is Kinser Elementary School. The official website for the school is: http://www.dodea.edu/Pacific/Okinawa/CampKinser/KinserES/index.cfm

There is no middle or high school on Camp Kinser. Most middle school students living on Kinser are bussed to the nearby Lester Middle School and high school students usually attend Kubasaki High School on Camp Foster. Both are highly regarded DODEA schools, and like all the DODEA schools on island are considered to be the safest and highest performing in the nation. For more information visit: http://www.dodea.edu/Pacific/Okinawa/

The base Education Center (building 1220) offers tuition assistance help as well as hosting various self-help and transitional classes offered by MCCS. The education center contains offices manned by representatives from the main college campuses offered on Okinawa as well as flyers and literature from various online campuses. For more info on the education options on Kinser through MCCS visit: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/educationandcareerservices/

There is a MCCS-run library on Kinser that loans out books, movies and video games. There are also a variety of resources on site such as computer access, printers and reference materials. All MCCS libraries are networked, so a book checked out on another base can be returned at this location. For more information visit their webpage at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/libraries/

Unique Attractions

Camp Kinser is home to the Battle of Okinawa Historical Display Museum. If you are at all interested in World War II then this place is a must see. It is run on a volunteer basis and is located in building 107. Click on the link above to see our article with more details.

Kadena’s 18^th Force Service Support Squadron has a large laundry facility here on Kinser in building 706, which offers services ranging from large comforter and carpet cleaning, pillow refurbishment, to sewing and alterations. The website is http://www.kadenafss.com/life-career/laundry and lists the full range of current services, hours and contact info.

Medical

Camp Kinser has its own medical and dental branch clinics which services family members, retirees and active duty alike. Specific information on the Kinser Medical clinic located in building 1460 can be found at: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhoki/Patients/PrimaryCare/Pages/Kinser.aspx

The Dental clinic is next door to the Medical clinic. The main page for info on all the Dental clinics on island can be found at: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhoki/Patients/Pages/Dental.aspx

Transportation & Car Care

There is a gas station and repair shop operated by the Exchange on this camp located in building 626. The service station does oil changes and other repairs by appointment. Store information can be found at: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores/Okinawa/OKI/Camp%20Kinser/Camp-Kinser-1771006

The auto hobby shop on Camp Kinser is Typhoon Motors. This facility is run by MCCS and offers full service repairs or bay, lift, or tool rental for those wanting to get their hands dirty. The main page for all things Typhoon Motor related on island is: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/typhoonmotors/

Marine Corps Bases Camp Butler offers a camp to camp bus service called The Green Line for service members, and space available transportation for authorized ID card holders. The Camp Kinser Bus is the #6 line and goes from Kinser to MCAS Futenma and Camp Foster. For more information you can visit the MCB Butler Shuttle Service main page at: http://www.mcbbutler.marines.mil/BaseInformation/TheGreenLine.aspx

There are various taxi services available in the area. Here is a useful article from Staci on the subject: http://okinawahai.com/taxis-and-thong/

Popular Nearby Attractions

Since Camp Kinser is located near the largest city in Okinawa, there is an abundance of activities to do in the area. Below are but a few suggestions by fellow Okinawa Hai alumni.

You can find all our Okinawa Hai reader-reviewed restaurants on-island, with an extensive section covering the Naha-Kinser area on our To Eat Index – By Location page.

Many readers particularly love and recommend Arin Krin, also known as the Garlic House restaurant. A must visit place for not only Kinser residents but anyone on island.

Urasoe City Park & Castle Site:

A great guide to small parks in the area

Art museum near the base worth visiting

Urasoe Dai Park, one of the top areas to spend the day

Kakazutaka Observatory Park, a regular run to-and-back destination from Kinser:

Round 1, another must-do place near Kinser that family members of all ages will love year-round

Kinser is also the closest place to the commercial airport in Naha, which can be a fun distraction even if you don’t intend on taking a flight. Here is an article by Joel: http://okinawahai.com/naha-international-airport-2/

CONTRIBUTED BY MINDY MORRIS

Hoi An doesn’t have a checklist. The guidebook won’t provide you with a detailed itinerary with places to go and things to see. I think this is a huge reason that it became one of my favorite spots in Southeast Asia. After a pretty quick pace for about a month and a half, this deliciously low-key stop was exactly what I needed.

Now this is not to say that I don’t love a good checklist … I have visited (and loved) many places that require outlining a detailed itinerary in the morning and being careful not to stray too far, lest you miss one of the national treasures. However, I often return from trips like that feeling like I need a vacation to recover from my vacation. Hoi An enchanted me because it was the opposite.  I was relaxed and happy by the time I left.

So, since your guidebook is not going to give you many details, (other than to take river cruises down the Thu Bon), here are a few guidelines of my own for getting to know one of my favorite cities in the world:

• You can’t visit Hoi An and not try the world’s best sandwich. I’m not kidding. In fact, you should probably plan a trip just so that you can experience the banh mi sandwich from Banh Mi Phuong. For the last 20 years, the Banh Mi Phuong stall has served up the most delicious sandwiches in the world (think fried egg, headcheese, liver pate, pork belly, etc.) It’s absolutely heaven on a baguette. You may question my judgment, considering I had been surviving on rice for about a month and a half at this point, but on our second of five consecutive visits to this little stand, we noticed an article taped to the outside of the cart window. Apparently Anthony Bourdain agrees with us. So there you have it … definitive proof that we discovered one of the world’s best sandwiches.

• I’ve rarely met a beach I didn’t like, and Hoi An was no exception. We rented bikes from our hostel and spent about 30 minutes pedaling out to Cua Dai Beach. (You can also get there by car or motor bike, but bicycles were a fun way to burn off some of the calories we were consuming every day at Banh Mi Phuong). Once at the beach, you can rent an umbrella and chairs and have frozen drinks or buckets of beer brought to you for about the cost of parking at some of the beaches in the States. The only thing to be aware of is that there are a lot of parking issues. It’s often best to park at a seaside restaurant and eat there before going to the beach, just so you know that your vehicle (or bikes) will not be ticketed or towed. We’ve been told that at times there is surf, but there certainly wasn’t while we were there. I could have spent every day lounging and walking this white sand beach, watching the Vietnamese fishermen beat their nets and the pedlars hawking their braided bracelets and Magnum ice cream bars, and felt like the whole trip was worth it.

• I never thought I would say this, but here it is: A trip to Hoi An is not complete without at least considering custom tailored clothing. Tailor shops are huge in Southeast Asia. I used to laugh when they would approach us in Bangkok, holding laminated pictures of three-piece suits showing pictures and asking “Suit? Suit?” I would look at these people like they were crazy! “I am carrying everything I own in a backpack, it’s 100 degrees out, I am sweating through a sundress… and you are talking to me about custom tailored suits??” The only suits I’d been interested in for months were of the bathing variety! That rant aside, however, I will sheepishly admit that even I fell under the tailor spell in Hoi An.

The one thing that all the guidebooks seem to agree on is that if you are going to buy a custom tailored anything in SE Asia… Hoi An is the place to do it. However, even knowing this, I had no intention of getting sucked in. Then one day, as we were walking to the river, a little red riding coat caught my eye. (Okay it was not a riding coat, but that that makes it sound so much more romantic.) I had to at least inquire, and by doing so… decided that I had to own it. $35 USD for a darling, red, tailor-made coat that would be ready to pick up in two days? Yes, please! (If, like me, you have no room in your backpack/suitcase for additional clothing, they will also ship everything you purchase back home for you.) I stood there for the better part of an hour being measured and trying to describe how I wanted it to fit. During my second fitting (yeah… pretty legit!) I decided this whole “custom” thing was quite fun, and thought, “Why just get a red jacket, when white is such a nice color as well.” What’s a girl to do when they are so accommodating with their combined shipping policies?

Considering my list is limited to a beach, a sandwich stall, and shopping, you can wrap your mind around just how much there was “to do” in Hoi An… and yet, it’s at the very top of my list. If you are craving a little more structure, you might also consider booking several river tours for consecutive days. These affordable excursions range from a few hours to a full day and it’s easy to buy “tickets” for what fits your schedule along the river or in your hotel. Generally the laminated signs have pictures illustrating where they will take you (pottery villages, floating markets, etc.), how long the tour lasts, and the price in both Vietnamese dong and sometimes in USD.  I prefer to buy tickets for things like this in person because times, prices and options seem to vary by the day, but if you are the “plan before you go” type, here is a link to purchase tickets for one of the river cruises we took. (However, I think we paid about the equivalent of $10 US by buying in Vietnamese dong at the last minute, and it’s $26 if you purchase through the link.)

After five days in Hoi An, I was hooked. It’s at the very top of my list of places to return to. The people are accommodating, the food and restaurant scene is fantastic, the river tours are worth doing, and the markets are colorful and fantastic.

Here are a few pictures of one of my favorite spots in the world. No national palaces or historical landmarks- just alluring, charming Hoi An.

A few notes since my visit in early 2013:

Several storms have hit Cua Dai Beach over the last few years, taking much of the beautiful white sand with them and leaving the beach a bit barren. An Bang Beach is another excellent option for spending a lazy day at the beach. This beach was more of the “locals” beach in 2013, and had a much more authentic Vietnamese feel. With Cua Dai attracting fewer visitors these days, I have read that An Bang has is catering more to tourists than it did in 2013.

Cua Dai: https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/C%E1%BB%ADa+%C4%90%E1%BA%A1i+Beach/@15.881364,108.387652,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x31420d0f6aeed753:0xf45223bb5cc94278

An Bang: https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/La+Plage+Beach+Bar/@15.9046064,108.3459023,14z/data=!4m5!1m2!2m1!1sbeach+near+An+B%C3%A0ng,+T%C6%B0+Ngh%C4%A9a+District,+Quang+Ngai,+Vietnam!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x4b1c2c074648a7ba

In late 2013, Banh Mi Phuong moved from the little street stand it had called home for almost 20 years to a more permanent location near the entrance to the city’s main local market. You can find it by the market entrance on: Hoang Dieu Street in Hoi An, or just ask anyone where to get the best Banh Mi in Vietnam. They will point you in the right direction! Here’s the Google Map.

As for the tailor shops… they are, quite literally, impossible to miss. There’s half a dozen on every street in the town.

Editor’s Note: In addition to the vespa tours in Vietnam and Cambodia described below, Marie wrote about various places she stayed in those countries. Click here to see her 17-day itinerary.

CONTRIBUTED BY MARIE LEWIS

We learned about the Vietnam Vespa Adventures tour company while staying at the Rex Hotel in Saigon, and we decided to take a chance on them after browsing through their brochure in the hotel lobby. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the whole trip, and we had such a fantastic experience that we made a point to do a tour with their sister tour company in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I could write a book about all the things we saw and did on these tours, but I’ll do my best to keep it (somewhat) brief!

In Saigon, we did the “Glimpse of the Mekong with Cooking Class” tour ($129 per person). It was a full day, with our guides/drivers picking us up from the hotel at 8:00 a.m. and having us back late in the afternoon. The tour group was just me, my husband, and another couple from Norway (cool!); and our Vietnamese guide spoke perfect English. The whole team was extremely friendly, helped us with our helmets, and gave us some brief safety tips before setting off.

I have to say, it was thrilling riding through the crazy streets of downtown Saigon on a vespa! It was such an adrenaline rush, but I also felt 100% safe the entire time. (That’s our group in the orange shirts, below.)

Once out of the congested city, we rode over several bridges through the countryside, eventually stopping at a local coffee house (which looked more like a hut, below). This is a typical place for locals to enjoy some iced coffee with condensed milk – and that’s exactly what we did as our guide explained the ins and outs of life along the Mekong Delta.

Our next stop was at a bustling market, where the fish was so fresh, some of it was still swimming in coolers!

The main event of the day was the cooking class, in a little hut on the Mekong.

We had a fantastic chef with a great sense of humor who guided us through cooking several courses of amazing Vietnamese dishes. Spring rolls, prawns, clams, pineapple rice … I could go on. I was thoroughly stuffed by the time we were done. (Oh, and they had an unlimited supply of beer and non-alcoholic drinks!)

After the cooking class, we saw more of the countryside, visiting the home of a local woman who showed us how she made incense. We stopped at another local home where our guide showed us how the family was making rice wine, and we even got to sample some. It was pretty strong stuff!

This tour was the single best part of our stay in Vietnam, and we were given a 10% discount coupon if we booked another tour in one of the cities where they operate. It just so happened that we were on our way to Siem Reap, so we booked a tour with Cambodia Vespa Adventures as soon as we arrived in town.

The tour we took in Siem Reap was the “Countryside Life Tour” ($75 per person). It offered a view of Cambodia that was completely different from temple visits, and really gave us an up close and personal experience with local people.

We rode along the dusty roads to a local home, where we watched a man climb a palm tree to get fresh palm juice. From there it was on to a market, where everything from giant live bugs to fish paste were up for sale.

Later we had a visit with a monk, and took a boat to a tiny island on a lake where a temple restoration project was underway. We stopped to sample some street vendor food on the way back.

Along the way we also were able to watch a group of women making sticky rice – a very physical and time-consuming job, I learned. I was touched by another local woman weaving baskets day in and day out. We were told this is how she makes her living, making baskets to sell to local hotels.

The afternoon included a delicious picnic lunch with our fellow travel companions, this time two ladies from London. Once again, the food was amazing and much more than we could finish, and the drinks were plentiful.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoyed our experience with Vespa Adventures. The guides were friendly, courteous, extremely knowledgeable, and made us feel like family. I can’t wait to take another tour with them!

Vespa Adventures offers tours in the following cities: Saigon and Hoi An, Vietnam; Siem Reap, Cambodia. They have tours specifically designed for foodies, after dark tours, overnight tours, you name it. For all the food that was included and the many places we visited, we thought it was a great value for our money.

For more information, booking, prices, etc., check out Vietnam and Cambodia Vespa Adventures. I hope you love them as much as we did!

Years ago, when Okinawa Hai had just a few readers and was getting its footing, we took an introspective look at the things we love about this tiny island, especially the details that might go unnoticed – or unappreciated – by many. 

We’d like to remind ourselves about that which we have always loved about our island paradise… even the things which may, at first glance, seem mundane and not worth stopping to examine. 

We found this post buried way back in our archives, and thought it was time to bring it back again. Originally published on September 3, 2007, we present you with “I Love This About Okinawa: Yon (Part 4)”. We will be re-publishing the other posts in this series throughout the rest of this month.

CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO

Last week the doorbell rang nano-seconds after I had gotten both my boys down for their glorious afternoon nap. Maltsby barked and I dashed to the door praying that the boys would sleep through the ringing and the woof-ing. On the other side of the door, three men were asking for money for a local EISA performance that would be drumming, singing, dancing and hooting down the street any minute. No doubt that would wake the boys. But for Eisa in the streets, I gladly give up naps and yen.

So it came to pass that instead of napping, my boys and I joined our neighbors on the sidewalk to watch the every move and bang and holler of the dancers.

That Eisa. It gets me in the gut. In my clenched throat. In my welled-up eyes. In my shortened breath. As the thudding and silence pulse through me.

For more posts in our “What I Love About Okinawa” series, follow these links: 
Part 1
Part Two
Part Three

What do YOU love about Okinawa that might not be obvious? Has one of its features or quirks grown on you over time? Leave a comment below, or write us a post; we’d love to continue this series.

CONTRIBUTED BY BRONSON ROBINSON

Have you ever eaten at a new restaurant and enjoyed it so much that you wanted to tell everyone about it, and then immediately you decided that this was a bad idea and you didn’t want to tell anyone so as to keep it all to yourself? Well, this is exactly what I experienced after eating at Gozza for the first time.

Gozza has been in town for about six months now, and for the last three months, my wife and I have been enjoying their food routinely. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to finally share this hidden gem with the rest of the population.

Photo courtesy of Gozza

I asked the owner/head chef what type of food he would classify his restaurant as and he explained that he didn’t want to box himself (and restaurant) into one specific genre or category and that he preferred to offer many different dishes from many different categories. It was immediately apparent to us the first time we ate there that it was a special place (which is somewhat rare in Okinawa, in my opinion), but after hearing the owner (who recently moved here from mainland Japan with his wife) describe his style of cooking and not wanting to limit his tastes and creativity to a particular style, it just solidified to us the level of individual we were dealing with and his passion for cooking.

Photo courtesy of Gozza

The chef said he worked at a fancy Cajun restaurant in Osaka which is where he got his passion for creating Cajun-styled dishes and for thinking outside the box, but if I had to try and put Gozza into a category myself I would say it is world cuisine. There are some French dishes, some Italian dishes, even a Spanish dish or two, but all sort of put together in that way that Japanese do.

There are over 40 dishes to choose from on their normal dinner menu, not including dessert. Most of their plates are about the same size of if not a little larger than your average tapas plate found in the states and are good to share between two people. The average price per plate is between 450 yen and 850 yen. My wife and I usually eat 4-5 plates plus a glass of wine for her and the bill is around 3,000 – 4,000 yen (depending on what exactly we ordered of course).

The atmosphere is cozy and would be a great spot for a date or a social get together (we have done both here). The thing we love about the place is that it is off the beaten path. Oh yeah, and the food is excellent; did I mention that yet?

Their English speaking skills are limited and they do not take credit card, however their menu is written in both Japanese and English and contains many pictures. I haven’t had any difficulties understanding what is in the dish and/or ordering personally, so I think it is a good place to eat at even if you don’t do Japanese.

Back to Gozza though, I highly recommend trying out this place. My prediction though is that it they are going to get really busy in the future, and if the chef grows from his successes, the food may become fancier and more expensive in the future. My advice is to try it while you can still walk in with no reservation needed.

Some of my personal favorites are their pepper tuna which is like a tataki style tuna with this amazing sauce drizzled over it and some delicious pepper corns on top.

The fried catfish they serve, although a personal American favorite, is the first I’ve ever eaten in Japan and is so much better than any catfish I’ve eaten stateside! They serve it with some homemade pickle tartar-type sauce, which surprisingly really works for me.

Photo courtesy of Gozza

Almost all of their pasta is great, but my favorite was the pescatore. Their anchovy potato wedges are also insanely good.

The Caesar salad with a wet egg on top and big strips of Okinawa pork makes me hungry just thinking about it. They serve pizzas and desserts, both of which I’ve heard are personal favorites of other patrons, however, I’ve just not yet tried them. This place was recently on Japanese TV and their desserts seemed to get half of the 8 minutes of airtime all to themselves from what I recall, so I shall have to try them out sometime; I’m just not a big dessert guy.

Photo courtesy of Gozza

Gozza is set in a unique location with great views and lots of space inside. If timed right you can see the sunset behind Cape Zampa (or Zanpa, depending on who you talk to) in the far distance while eating a delicious dinner. I would say check it out for yourself and pick your own future favorites from the menu.

Photo courtesy of Gozza

Hours: 12:00 p.m. – midnight Wednesday through Monday.  Closed Tuesday.

Payment: Yen only

Phone: 098-923-3137

Address: 2427 Yamada, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0416, Japan (Parking is no problem)

Directions: From Kadena gate 1, turn right on 58, heading north. Pass routes 16, 6, 12. At the light where you would turn left for Ryukyu Mura, stay straight. You will go through one more intersection, and then when you come to the next intersection after that, turn right. Make your first left and Gozza will be on your left. (Editor’s Note: These directions were written by the editor using the pin below.  If you feel these directions are not up to standard, please submit your own in the comments below and we will be happy to update this post.)

Facebook Page: Gozza

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

Tucked away on Mibaru Beach, on the southern coast of Okinawa, you’ll find a lovely Nepalese curry stand that’s open ALL YEAR ROUND!

If you need to work up an appetite, there is plenty of room to lounge in the sand, swim in the crystal clear waters, or participate in watersports and glass bottom boat rides from next door rental shops.

You’ll order and pay at the counter (menu is in Japanese and English), and they will call you when your order is ready.

Feel free to bring your meal to the picnic tables in the sand under tents provided, or even to your towel/chairs on the beach. They have a great selection of curries, sides, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. We ordered khima egg curry, vegetable curry, an avocado lassi, and a mango lassie.

Obviously, we loved it.  We weren’t even finished with our meals yet when we started talking about coming back.

Menu – click to enlarge

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (last order 9:30 p.m.). Closed Tuesday nights, during typhoons, during heavy rain

Phone: 050-5837-2039

Address: Hyakuna-1360 Tamagusuku, Nanjō-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-1400, Japan

Map Coordinates: 26.1337505, 127.78850650000004

Facebook Page: Shokudo Karika

Tabelog: http://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4704/A470403/47011198/

Menu – click to enlarge

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

Finding a hair salon and a stylist you love can be difficult no matter where you live. Below is a compilation of local salons I’ve gathered from friends and searching through old Okinawa Hai posts/comments. I’ve also included a list of helpful terms, phrases, and tips.

Helpful Terms

hair - kami

cut – katto

shampoo – shampu

blow-dry – buro

perm - pama

short – mijikai

long - nagai

fringe/bangs – maegami

parting – wakeme

side(s) – yoko

the back - ushiro

dye hair - kami wo someru

messy - suki

thinning shears - suki-basami

Helpful Phrases

I want a haircut. “Katto wo onegaishimasu”

Please cut my bangs. “Maegami wo kittekudasai”

Please don’t make it too short. “Amari mijikaku kiranaide kudasai”

Please leave it straight in the back. “Bakku ni dan wo tsukenaide kudasai”

I’d like it layered. “Reiya-do ni kudasai”

Please cut my hair in the style shown in this picture. “Kono shashin no yo ni shite kudasai”

Pro Tips

• There may be a language barrier, but remember that YOU are the one speaking a foreign language.
• Be patient.
• Always bring in at least one photo of the hairstyle/color you want. If possible, from multiple angles.
• Be sure of what you want to have done; if you are confident in your decision on how you’d like your hair, it will be easier to communicate that to the stylist.
• Enjoy your experience!

Salons (by location)

Chatan

Amber Rose Hair Salon
Okinawa Hai reader review & comments
salon Facebook Page

Borjan
Okinawa Hai reader review & comments
salon website

Bright Okinawa
website

Cocok’s Salon (2 locations)
Okinawa Hai reader review & comments
salon website

Earth Hair & Make (multiple locations including American Village)
Okinawa Hai reader review & comments
salon website

Hair Sophis
Okinawa Hai reader review & comments

Oriental Magic
salon Facebook page

Your Hair by Rumiko
Okinawa Hai reader review & comments
salon Facebook page

Urasoe

Angara Hair
website

Naha

Charm Hair Studio
Okinawa Hai reader review & comments
salon website

K’s Hair
salon website

Stylique Salons on Military Bases

Camp Courtney – 622-6535

Camp Foster      - 645-5596

Camp Kinser      - 637-2827

Kadena AB         – 050-5865-3072

We’ve purposely left off the names of temporary residents of Okinawa who style hair (i.e. military spouses) for the sole purpose of maintaining a more accurate-long term reference page. Feel free to leave a comment recommending those temporary businesses along with their contact information.

If you’ve had a great (or less than stellar) experience at one of the salons listed above (or just specific questions about it) and we have a review of it here on Okinawa Hai, please leave your comments on that post so others can benefit from your thoughts.

Also, if you have been to a hair salon here on Okinawa and it’s not listed here, please leave its name and website in the comments below so we can add it in. If we don’t already have a review about a salon you’ve been to and loved, please consider writing one for us! For more information about how to send us a post for publication, visit our Submissions Page.

CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF

This herb and tea shop is the only Turkish spice store that I know of on the island, and is one of the most comprehensive in terms of essential oils, organic teas, and spices. Arifoglu offers a fantastic selection of healthy food, honey, jam, aromatherapy oil (both cold pressed and distilled), perfume oil, organic herbal teas (both packaged/ground and loose leaf), and spices from all over the world.

As we rode past on our bikes, my friends and I decided to have a look inside this simple, white-paneled building adorned with a green sign sporting the silhouette of an apple. Arifoglu specializes in Turkish spices, many of which are still in their whole form. It’s great for those who are looking to grind the spices fresh for themselves in order to preserve and extract maximum nutritional benefit and flavor. They even sell manual spice grinders made of beautiful brass, so that each clove, peppercorn or seed of fennel can be freshly ground onto your dinner or dessert.

Olive oil, organic honey and bee pollen adorn the circular stand in the middle of the shop. Flavors of honey such as goya and blueberry intrigued my senses, and I washed them down with some freshly brewed tea made from dried hop blossoms. The crowded shelves included specialty items such as hand-crafted, copper Turkish coffee pots and hand blown glass perfume containers. This is the only store on the island where I’ve been able to find sumac (a key ingredient for making zatar seasoning), and unsweetened coconut flakes for baking.

Each tea is labeled in Turkish, Japanese, and English; the health benefits of each tea as understood by Eastern medicine are written below the herb in English and Japanese. The prices are very competitive to online prices for specialty tea ingredients such as rosehips, and they even featured herbs that I have never even heard of, such as Siteritis Flowering Stem. Though more organized and peaceful than a bazaar in Istanbul, the spices at Arifoglu are as fresh and as unique as those that can be found in the street markets of Turkey.

Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily

Phone: 098-936-3660

Address: 1 Chome-12-9 Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture

Directions: If you are coming from Kadena Gate 1, turn left heading south. When you come upon the light for 130, take a right towards the ocean instead of taking a left onto 130. After turning right off of 58, take your first left at the stoplight. You will see Arifoglu on the right-hand side before you get to Araha Beach.

Map Coordinates: 26.3072203, 127.76087050000001

The 2015 azalea festival on Okinawa runs from March 1^st through the 22nd. Find out more below!

CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA

Annually in March Higashi Village hosts a flower carnival like no other on the island. This special event is centered on the seasonal blooming of the area’s azalea flowers. The festival takes place in a park specifically designed for the enjoyment of the colorful fauna. If you think this park is a simple stroll through the garden, you will be in for a bit of a surprise. To fully explore the expansive network of bridges, viewpoints, towers and pavilions you will likely require a few hours to kill and a good pair of walking shoes.

The landscape surrounding the festival is picturesque and worth fully exploring. Vantage points continuously change as you walk the various paths that rise and fall at different elevations while majestic views of the northern coastline sparkle in the background.

Should you tire of the natural beauty around you, there are other diversions during the festival that are entertaining. Food vendors sell local treats as well as carnival staples such as cotton candy, chocolate bananas, and shaved ice.  There are regular Eisa drumming performances that are held throughout the day. In the main parking area outside the park entrance there is even a farmer’s market that has everything from fresh tomatoes, honey, mushrooms and plants for sale.

The 2015 azalea festival runs from March 1^st through the 22nd, though you can still visit the park after the festival and enjoy the azaleas until the 29^th of March. On the 15^th of March there is a Higashi road race near the park that has a 1.5km, 3km, 5km, and 20 km events. Preregistration is required and can be obtained by visiting the Higashi village office or information office found at the azalea park.

Entrance Fee to the azalea park: 300 yen a person.

Phone: 0980-43-2265

Website: http://www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp/index.jsp

Directions: From the 9 Expressway exit follow the 329 past Camp Schwab until you see the 330 intersection, which is hard to miss as it goes directly into a series of downhill tunnels. Follow the 330 until you get to Higashi Village. You will know you are there because you will see lots of cartoon pineapple characters. Once in Higashi look for the large white point of interest road signs over the main road. One of these will specifically point to the Azalea Park. There will be traffic attendants on the 330 to guide you to the best available parking area.

You can read an older post about the azalea festival from 2008 HERE.

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

Many, many thanks to Kacey for putting this calendar of events around Okinawa together for us!

March 1st

            Bullfighting Tournament

Ishikawa multi purpose dome, 3302 Ishikawa Uruma. ¥3,000. Starts at 1pm.

            Hmaharaski Traditional Horse Racing

Horse racing that has been carried out for over 500 years. Okinawa Zoo, Okinawa City. 1:30pm.

            Yokohama DeNA BayStars vs. Hiroshima Toyo Carp

Professional baseball camp practice. Ginowan Stadium. 4-2-1 Mashiki, Ginowan. Game starts at 12:30pm.

            Tenkaichi Fight

Kickboxing and MMA competition. Okinawa Koza Music Town, 3F. ¥4,000 – ¥16,000. Doors open 2:30pm, matches start at 3pm.

March 1st – March 2nd       

            Okinawa Yambaru Adventure Rally

Group and individual adventure challenges including trail running, trekking, kayaking orienteering and river trekking. Contact 03-5610-0638 for more information.

March 1st – March 15th

            Okinawa Children’s Kingdom Flower Festival

Showcase featuring various flowers of Okinawa. ¥500 Adults, ¥200 Seniors & Students, ¥100 Kids. 9:30am – 5:30pm, closed on Tuesdays. 098-933-4190.

            Sunflower Festival

10am – 4pm daily. Events held on Saturdays and Sundays. Read about it on Okinawa Hai here.

March 1st – March 22nd

            Higashi Village Azalea Festival

50,000+ azalea plants in an ocean view park. Arts and live music during the weekends. ¥300. For more information call 0980-43-2265. For an Okinawa Hai review, click here.

March 1st – April 6th

           POP Circus

World Circus Festival. Onoyama Park, 52 Onoyamacho, Naha. 098-851-5183. Adults ¥2,500 Advance. Children ¥1,200 Advance. Tickets available at FamilyMart.

March 1st – June 30th

           Christmas Illumination

80,000 lights commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hotel’s opening. Hotel Nikko Alivia, Yomitan. 098-982-9111

           Million Fantasy

Illumination containing 1.4 million LED’s in 11 areas. Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa, Onna. 098-967-8731. Free, Parking. ¥500. 6pm-Midnight

March 7th

            Corporate Games Grand Parade & Party

Parade celebrating the first ever corporate games. Parade is free, open to the public, beginning at Sunset Beach. The party is open to the public with a fee. Parade at Sunset Beach, Chatan. Party at Hilton Hotel, Chatan. ¥1,000 Party begins at 7:30pm

            International Food Stall Village

Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday. Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City. 098-989-6759. 5:00pm-9:00pm

            Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling

Naval Kadena South Building, 3F, Kadena Town. ¥2,000 – ¥4,000. 7pm start.

            Ryukyu Kings vs. Osaka Evesssa Basketball Game

Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 5:30pm doors open, 7:00pm tip off.

March 7th – March 8th

            Nago All-Star Motocross Competition

ImaNAGO Cross Field. Park at Nago Fishing Port and use free shuttle. 098-876-5533. ¥3,000 (Tickets at bike shops & Familymarts). Saturday 7th, Free Practice, 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Sunday 8th, 2 Heat Race, 9:00am – 5:00 pm

            Manza Beach Opening

Free beach access including ocean play equipment (trampoline and floating slide) on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 5pm. Live music on Saturday 8th from 5pm – 8pm. Fireworks on Saturday. ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort.

March 8th

           Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling

Tomigusuku Villa SUN Beach. “Beach Party Wrestling”. ¥2,000 – ¥4,000 including BBQ. 12pm start.

           Ryukyu Kings vs. Osaka Evesssa Basketball Game

Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 12:30pm doors open, 2pm tip off.

March 14th

            International Food Stall Village

Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday. Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City. 098-989-6759. 5:00pm-9:00pm

            Ryukyu Kings vs. Takamatsu Five Arrows Basketball Game

Ginowan City Gym, Ginowan. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 5:30pm doors open, 7pm tip off.

March 15th

           Nagoura Marathon

100km, 73km, full marathon. Nago City Area.

           Ryukyu Kings vs. Takamatsu Five Arrows Basketball Game

Ginowan City Gym, Ginowan. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 12:30pm doors open, 2pm tip off.

March 21st

            Gusuku Rock Fest ‘15

Rock festival held at Nakagusuku Castle rain or shine. ¥4,800. Doors open at 10am, first performance at 12pm. For more information contact info@gusukurock.okinawa

            International Food Stall Village

Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday. Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City. 098-989-6759. 5:00pm-9:00pm

            Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling

“Cave Wrestling”. Valley of Gangara Cave Cafe. ¥1,000 – ¥3,500. Doors open at 6pm, match starts at 6:30pm.

March 22nd

             Nanbu Trim Marathon

20km, 10km, 5km, 3km races. Itoman City Area.

            Motobu Bullfighting Tournament

Motobu town multi purpose event space. ¥2,500. 1pm.

            Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling

Naval Kadena South Building, 3F, Kadena Town. ¥2,000 – ¥4,000. 2pm start.

March 25th – March 29th

            7th Okinawa International Movie Festival

Ginowan Convention Center, Sakurazaka Theater in Naha, Okinawa City Koza Music Town. Check website or Facebook for details.

March 28th

             International Food Stall Village

Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday. Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City. 098-989-6759. 5:00pm-9:00pm.

              Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling

“Dedication Wrestling”. Okimiya, Naha Onoyama Park. Free. Doors at 5pm, match start at 6pm.

              Ryukyu Kings vs. Kyoto Hannaryz Basketball Game

Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 5:30pm doors open, 7pm tip off.

March 29th

               Ryukyu Kings vs. Kyoto Hannaryz Basketball Game

Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 12:30pm doors open, 2pm tip off.

Other Events

• Whale Watching Season
• March 3rd Hinamatsuri (Girls/Dolls Festival)
• March 14th Howaito de (White Day)
• March 21st Sunbun no hi (Spring equinox)

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

Toguchi Beach

Photo credit: Andrew Mercado

Chatan Seawall

Photo credit: Stephanie Gonzalez

“Storm clouds in the sky
With dragons drifting on by
Some rumble, some cry” –Bill Enyart

East China Sea

Photo credit: Pamela Oliveras
Pamela Oliveras Photography

Shark Rocks

Photo credit: Pamela Oliveras
Pamela Oliveras Photography

CONTRIBUTED BY MARIE LEWIS

Having been to Cocok’s, Dulce, and Bella Nails a number of times, I was ready to try someplace new. I heard that a former employee of Cocok’s had opened her own place closer to Camp Foster, which was perfect for me! So I went to Salon Tida for a pedicure. The service did not disappoint.

They had large comfy recliners to relax in, and blankets, too. While I enjoyed complimentary tea, I perused through the myriad design options before finally settling on one. I was treated to a full lower leg and foot massage. It was heavenly, and I dare say the best I have had on-island.

By the time my pedi was finished I was sorry the experience was over. But I loved the final result!

Salon Tida is most convenient to Camp Foster, and it was less expensive than some of the more well-known places on-island. This will be my go-to nail place from now on!

They also offer Brazilian and eyebrow waxing, although I have not tried either of these.

Pricing: At the time of this writing, a pedicure is 3500 yen (includes massage and nail art); manicure 2500 yen; acrylic 4000 yen; shellac 2000 yen; kids nail (under 11) 1500 yen; Brazilian wax 4000 yen; eyebrow wax 1000 yen

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Phone: 098-923-3294

Payment: Yen or credit card

Address: 1 Chome-8-8 Chatan, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0116, Japan

Directions: From Camp Foster’s Spot Gate, turn left onto 130 and go straight, crossing over 58. Turn left when you come to the T intersection. Turn left at Ishigakijima Kitchen Bin, the yellow building on your left (can’t miss it). Make your first right and your first left, and Salon Tida will be on your right (next door to Green Leaf.)

Map Coordinates: 26.3071286, 127.76245649999998

CONTRIBUTED BY KASSIE O’DRISCOLL

A new, feel-good restaurant just opened on the Sunabe Seawall and you’re not going to want to miss out on the delicious eats! CC’s Chicken & Waffles is owned by Cody, an American who relocated to Okinawa to be with his wife and start a fresh, new life together.

The new start, eventually, led to the delicious restaurant that we now know as CC’s Chicken and Waffles. The menu is vast, ranging from juicy fried chicken to smokey sausage gravy, and the staff is super friendly! Cody seriously seems to have never met a stranger, which makes him a pretty great restaurant owner considering all of the questions and requests that he’s gotten since opening day.

Today, I chose the pecan waffle and the boneless chicken. The boneless chicken is the size of a boneless chicken breast that you could pick up at the grocery store and is perfectly seasoned… and the crunch! Oh, the chicken is so good! As for the waffle, it’s the perfect combination between soft and crunchy.

Next up is the biscuits and gravy. Mmm, Mmmm, Mmm! I should note that everything that is served is homemade (down to the lemonade). The biscuits are both dense and flaky. The gravy has a distinct smoky flavor with a mildly spicy sausage. It reminded me of the gravy from a down-home-country restaurant in the states.

All of the sides are generous portions, definitely enough to share with another person (maybe three people if you’re a healthier portion eater than I am). The mac and cheese is creamy and… velvety (yeah, I said it)… with multiple layers of flavors. They offer cole slaw, too, but I haven’t tried it yet.

The only thing I regret about my trip to CC’s this afternoon is that I didn’t try one of the desserts. My mouth was watering as I read the words, “Sweet Potato Pie.” Man, I should have ordered dessert…

Photo from CC’s Facebook Page

Phone: 098-979-9008

Payment: Yen or Dollars Accepted

Address: 1-68 Miyagi, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0113, Japan

Directions: Make a left out of Kadena Gate 1 and an immediate right at the first light after the turn (it’s right after turning out of the gate). At the 2nd traffic light, make a left. You’ll make your 2nd right – it’s the 2nd major right, not a tiny street. Drive to the Seawall and make a right. CC’s will be on your right about a block and a half. It’s kind of tucked away under an apartment building. You’ll see the below sign on the left-hand side of the road.

Map Coordinates: 26.328153290298197, 127.7448458283111

CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZA GROFF

Have you ever wondered how celebrities get that flawless, no makeup look in beachy photos? I can’t promise that you will look like Kim Kardashian, but I can promise you a luscious set of long lashes. At Wink Lash in American Village, they have three certified lash ladies who specialize in this beauty discipline.

You lay down on a spa table and they glue on long fake lashes one by one. These aren’t the kind of plastic, clumpy, garish lashes that you can glue on yourself from Wal Mart. These lashes are thin, synthetic lashes made to look like real lashes. Ah yes, that is the secret. Those celebs don’t really have the perfect lashes after all.

At Wink Lash, you can choose from a variety of lash looks. They vary in volume from a Full Set (70 lashes for each eye), to Unlimited (120 lashes for each eye), to Volume Lash (300 lashes for each eye) at a range of different prices.

You can also choose the curl, length, and lash layout (see photo).

They recommend getting your lashes repaired (redone) every 14 to 21 days. Lash repairs cost roughly half as much as the original lash appointment, and take about half as long. You can expect to pay 5,900 yen for the first appointment, and 2,900 after that.

They also post special pricing on their Facebook page on days that they are not very busy. These tend to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

The initial appointment takes about an hour and a half to two hours, depending on how many lashes you want and how much you gab. After that, expect your appointment to last 45 minutes to an hour.

If you want to kill two birds with one stone, you can also get your nails done with gel paint in solid colors, or very simple designs while you are laying down getting your lashes pampered. They don’t do pedis, but your simple mani will cost around 2,900 yen and you can let your nails dry while you are already relaxed and being pampered on the spa table.

All of the ladies at Wink Lash speak very good English, and they will help guide you if you are not sure what you want. I have a friend who has been going to them for 4 years, so they are definitely worth going back to. I hope you enjoy this new beauty secret, and love your lashes while you bask makeupless in the sun, more photo ready than ever!

Hours: Call to make an appointment.

Phone: 090-9789-7088

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

Directions: Park in the main parking area for American Village Mihama. Wink Lash is on the second story of F Plaza in suite 2 (up the spiral staircase, pictured below).

Map Coordinates: 26.315810789291653, 127.75581470364386

Facebook Page: Wink Lash

Editor’s Note: Years ago, when Okinawa Hai had just a few readers and was getting its footing, we took an introspective look at the things we love about this tiny island, especially the details that might go unnoticed – or unappreciated – by many. 

We’d like to remind ourselves about what we have always loved about our island paradise… even that which may, at first glance, seem mundane and not worth stopping to examine.

We found this post buried way back in our archives, and thought it was time to bring it back again. Originally titled, “Here’s A Bee For Your Bonnet”, and published on April 25, 2007, we present you with
“I Love This About Okinawa: Go (Part 5)”. 

CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO

originally uploaded by annya_okinawa.

Before arriving in Okinawa and seeing Okinawa, I had something close to paradise drawn up in my mind. And there are certainly pockets of paradise for your eyes and mind and body to feast upon. HOWEVER, in my opinion, much of what you see in a day isn’t terribly aesthetically pleasing. I say this because it depressed me for months. The concrete felt like a rusty cage. Most buildings, maybe all, are made from concrete which isn’t instantly beautiful.

This picture taken by Annya captures, for me, the feeling of the daily Okinawa. And as rough as it can appear, I am kindling some love for the concrete look. So much is nestled between these endless slabs of concrete. I have come to adore the winding, dangerously narrow streets as a kind of Christmas around every corner. It’s taken almost two years for my eyes and heart to adjust to the hidden beauty.

Come on, look how those vending machines beckon you! Lovely, yes?

For more posts in our “What I Love About Okinawa” series, follow these links: 
Part 1
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

What do YOU love about Okinawa that might not be obvious? Has one of its features or quirks grown on you over time? Leave a comment below, or write us a post; we’d love to continue this series.

CONTRIBUTED BY GRAZIA SANNA

Many foreigners would agree with me if I said that Japanese cuisine is a very tasty and special one – definitely one that lots of people from several parts of Europe would be willing to pay a pretty penny (or yen) for – once in a while. When I tell my European friends that the sushi, miso soup, and soba are incredibly fresh and cheap here, they become jealous!

I thought that it would be wonderful if I could learn how to make some of these things, and make it for my friends and family when I go back home, but I didn’t really know where to start. After a couple of not-so-successful attempts on my own, I gave up, feeling frustrated. So when I met Naoko at a Baby Support Center who told me she was planning to open a cooking school in Yomitan, I thought, “This is my chance!”

Iʼm Italian, I love cooking, and I am very curious about different cuisines around the world. I try to learn some dishes when I visit a country for longer than a month. In a 5-day trip to Thailand, I managed to squeeze in a cooking lesson of three hours! I admit the opportunity was coming to take me by the hand and I just couldnʼt say no.

With all the troubles that I often have with the Japanese language whenever Iʼm looking for something on the internet, I thought, “Iʼd better ask her directly to give me a lesson even if she hasnʼt set up the course yet.”

Naoko turned out to be very friendly and, besides the “baby business” we obviously had in common (she has twins and I have a girl of about the same age), we talked about all sorts of things like we knew each other for years!

I went to my lesson and was so excited. I didnʼt even expect the trip to the supermarket, which highlighted loads of products that I used to ignore (because I couldnʼt read what they were). Before we started she gave me a hand-out with names – also in kanji – of every ingredient so I could buy it on my own. Awesome! Not all cooking classes I took provided me with a clear hand-out. To me this is an important reference when cooking at home and trying the recipe on your own, because you don’t have time to take notes during the class.

We made all the sushi types with veggies only because Iʼm vegetarian – and this is part of the reason why I wanted to make my own sushi at home. We used all the things I wanted to have in it: cucumber, avocado, egg, cheese, peppers, carrots, asparagus and sweet potato! I ate a lot of my sushi after the lesson … although it looked so pretty I didnʼt want to spoil it, and brought a lot of it at home for my husband. He signed up for a lesson together with some colleagues!

I really recommend Naokoʼs cooking classes because sheʼs also very passionate about Okinawan cuisine, and sushi is not the only dish she can teach you. Quite the opposite, thereʼs both mainland cuisine and Okinawan cuisine on the menu!

Finally, this is a great way to “dive” into this incredible culture. In a cozy and familiar atmosphere, Naoko will make learning Japanese cuisine as easy as taking a walk.

How to book a class: The schedule for group class is on her Facebook event section and also on the website. You can book a class on Facebook by sending a private message, or from the website. I think that the Facebook page is the most updated one and the quickest way to check class schedule. No classes are offered on Sundays.

Pricing: It seems that fees are different depending on the class. For example, Yakisoba noodle class is 3,500 yen and sushi class is 5,000 yen per person, which is what I paid at that time.

Phone: 098-955-5311

Address: 862-1 Namihira, Yomitan village, Okinawa 904-0322

Directions: From Kadena Gate 1, turn right on Hwy 58 (heading north). Turn left off 58 onto Rt. 6 as if going to Torii Station. Continue past Torii Station northward passing Max Value, Kanehide supermarket (かねひで – green-ish logo and building) and Marudai supermarket (丸大 – red-ish sign) on your left. Cooking Class with Nao is about 150 yard on from Marudai supermarket. There is a red signboard written ‘Cooking Class with Nao’ in white letter with symbol of a saucepan on your left. You need to take a left turn to get to a building – up a driveway between houses. You will see a gate ahead as though you are driving into someone else’s house, but keep going, then you will see the cream-colored building.

Map Coordinates: 26.405779, 127.72862510000004

Website: okinawa-cooking.com

Facebook: facebook.com/cooking.with.nao

CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE CAMINA

High in the mountains of Ogimi there is a wonderful lookout area that offers visitors a near 360̊ panoramic view of northern Okinawa. Some of the things one can expect to spy with his or her little eye at the Ishiyama Observatory are views of the East China Sea, Pacific Ocean, Okuma Beach, Higashi, the unique Shark Fin Rock formations of Teniya, and even as far and away as the distinctive mountain outcrops that rise near the Cape Hedo area.

Ishiyama Observatory’s entrance and parking lot are situated directly across from two gigantic wind turbines.

These wind turbines are managed by the Ogimi Wind Power Generation Plant—the same company that oversees the upkeep of the Ishiyama Observatory park area.

There are several modern sculptural art pieces scattered throughout the park grounds, especially near the entrance where the footpath leads out towards a bathroom and a concrete covered picnic area on the left; the observatory platform dead center; and a view of the Higashi coastline within the confines of a low built stone wall enveloping the park.

At the time of this writing there is a stone shisa that now lies on its side covered in blue tarp and marked off by traffic cones to the right of the observatory platform area. Unfortunately, during the last typhoon the island experienced, the shisa was knocked off its base that it once sat perched upon. Although the park’s caretakers have not gotten around to putting the shisa back to right place, the functionality of the observatory and use of the grounds is not especially compromised in this writer’s opinion. Remember, a smidgeon of common sense can often save one from becoming a Darwin Award candidate!

Quirky mountain peaks, almost Tim Burton-ish in their look, form the backdrop directly behind the observatory platform which offers experienced and novice astronomers alike an area to view celestial events (e.g. meteor showers, moon viewing, comets, etc.) with the benefit of little to no light pollution. Just remember to check the weather conditions before trekking all the way to Ogimi to star gaze, since it is quite the drive!

However, to make the trip to Ishiyama Observatory all the more worthwhile for you skeptics out there, there are definitely other attractions to visit while in the vicinity. Igimihakinzo Park, Yamashishigaki Trail, Shah Bay’s Mutabaru Observatory, Taiho Dam, Café Chya Chya and the shikuwasa orchards of Oshikawa are all pinpoints of interest you may find in the area. Though there are signs posted along the roadside for most of these, don’t be too intimidated to explore the surrounding countryside until you stumble upon them as we did, or bother to get out of the car and ask directions. Providing you have the name of your destination in hand, the locals are often quick to point you off in the right direction.

Where: Kunigami-gun, Ogimi-son, Okinawa

Address: Unnamed Road, Nerome, Ōgimi-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 905-1307, Japan (approximate)

Map Coordinates: 26.676421053327203, 128.14719009178464 (These are approximate, so please use in conjunction with the directions below.)

Directions: Take the Okinawa Expressway north to Nago and get off on the 10 Toll Exit. Continue north through and past Nago keeping on Route 58. Keep on the lookout for two brightly colored driftwood fish skeleton sculptures on the left-hand side of the road (If you’ve ever made the trek up to Okuma or even Hedo Point from the 58, you’ll know of the distinctive sculptures I speak of). Immediately passing these sculptures you should look for a road off to your right with an owl and the word “Minori” painted on a sign. Get in the right-hand turn lane, turn, and follow this road straight up the mountain for approximately 10-15 minutes. Once you see the two towering wind turbines off to your left, park in the Ishiyama Observatory parking lot to your right.


Additional Notes: If you plan to visit the observatory at night, bring a flashlight since the lights in the bathroom do not work and there are absolutely no lamps in the park to light your way after dark (It’s an observatory!). A jacket and pre-packed snacks would also be wise to bring along too.

You should also be aware that there are definitely wild boars in the area! So be careful driving around the mountain’s wide curvy roads. You’ll soon discover that your vehicle will have a nasty tendency to want to keep to the middle of both lanes, which is not good coming around corners. I bring this up because we almost hit a wild boar standing in the middle of the road next to a crow of all things (Yeah, you read that right!). Unfortunately, by the time we all came to our senses with what we were seeing, I fumbled the camera badly and missed my shot just as the boar leapt off into the brush and the crow flew away. I’m not sure how aggressive or wild Okinawan boars are supposed to be, but I think we all remember what happened to Old Yeller and should try to exercise some caution when off in these remote areas.

CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN

While I love to explore everything as much as I can on Okinawa, my main driving force to do so is to discover new playgrounds. Senaga Island has a playground in the shape of a giant crab! My boys loved climbing up the back and sliding down the other side.  While the playground and island are quite small, it has much to offer.

Senaga Island is located a short distance to the south of the Naha Airport and is a part of Tomigusuku City. It is connected by a causeway to Okinawa and the perimeter is approximately 1.5 kilometers.

The first thing that you will notice about this island is that it is in the direct path of airplanes taking off from the airport. The park is on the north side of the island, and we were able to enjoy watching the various types of aircraft fly by overhead. We couldn’t believe how low they were! At times the roar of the jets can get pretty loud and hurt young ears.

Many of the shops and paid activities are near the park. We noticed at least two cafes and an amusement park with bumper cars and a batting cage. A few baseball fields are in the area as well. We witnessed many people were enjoying the island by exploring the tide pools in low-tide, taking a stroll along the road and couple of windsurfers off the coast. The beautiful Ryukyu Onsen (hot spring) Senagajima Hotel is on the island as well.

Senaga Island, or Senagajima, has a very interesting history. Legend states that the origins of Tomigusuku began with the child of Amamikiyo, who was the first to inhibit the island. Amamikiyo was the goddess who had created the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is also stated that Senaga Gusuku (castle) was the residence of Senaga Aji, the local chieftain. In 1936, the island was chosen as one of the eight most scenic locations in Southern Okinawa. Around 30 families inhabited the island on the north side, and the people made their living with agriculture and fishing.

There were numerous ancient remains on the island that included: places of worship, springs and wells. Many people from all over Okinawa came here to worship. During the Battle of Okinawa, the residents were ordered off the island. After the war, the entire island was requisitioned for a U.S. military base. Residents were forced to resettle on the south side of the island.

Construction drastically changed the geography of the land by burning a large section and connecting the island with separate two roads. The base was created to be a storage area for the U.S. Navy ammunitions. The island was returned to Okinawa in 1979.

Many of the cultural sites were destroyed during the base construction and the rest were in restricted areas. Today, few ancient sites remain on the island. One popular site is the Kodakara Iwa, or the Fertility Stone, on the south side of the island (pictured above right). The original stone was a large coral rock a few meters high that had two holes, one at the top and one at the bottom. If you wanted to have a boy, you threw a small rock through the top hole. If you wanted a girl, you threw it through the hole on the bottom.

The south side of the island has undergone a lot of construction. There is now a nice grass area, sidewalk and restrooms with access to the beach.

This island is an excellent choice to witness the sunset. A friend of mine likes to watch the airplanes take off into the sunset and into the evening. I hope you enjoy this island as much as I have.

*The information about the island has come from the various signs around the island.

Address: (Approximate) 174 Senaga, Tomigusuku-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-0233, Japan

Directions: Go south on the 58 through Naha. Continue onto the 331. This will be at the divide by the airport. The 331 is the left lane. After approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers), the 331 splits to go straight or to the right. Turn right to follow the 331. Turn right at the next intersection. This goes onto the causeway to Senaga Island.

From the expressway: Head south. Go towards Haebaru and the 506. Take the Nakachi exit and continue on the 331. Turn left onto the 331. You will see signs directing you this way. Turn right at the next intersection. This goes onto the causeway to Senaga Island.

Map Points: 26.174986, 127.645137

CONTRIBUTED BY HANNAH CURTIS

With Peach Air’s new route, Naha  – Hong Kong, having just started in February 2015, I suspect a lot more people will be visiting the already popular destination of Hong Kong.

While researching for our trip, I turned to the many fabulous and informative articles already on Okinawa Hai, however, one thing I did notice was the lack of mention about Macau.

Okay, so, while Macau isn’t exactly Hong Kong, they are the only two Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China, and Macau is only a stone’s throw away from Hong Kong. It is, therefore, an easy day trip.

We booked our tickets to Macau in advance through Turbojet for the very first sailing out of the China Ferry Terminal in Kowloon (I believe if you are staying on the Hong Kong side there is also a terminal there). You are able to purchase tickets on the day, but I had read that the return journey to Hong Kong can get quite booked up, so I pre-booked our entire trip to ensure we didn’t get stuck in Macau.

The one-hour journey went by quite fast, but once we arrived in Macau and got through immigration (remember to bring your passport!) it was a tad bit chaotic. For starters, the terminal looked as though it was undergoing some construction. As a result, there was not much room for all the passengers. Since we arrived early, there was no tourist information booth open (which I was counting on for maps, etc).

We quickly exited and flagged a taxi to take us the short distance into the town centre. Prior to going, I had read the tip that it is possible to get one of the many casino shuttle buses from the airport into town for free. However, since children aren’t allowed in the casinos and we were traveling with two of them, we decided not to try this because we weren’t sure if they allowed children on the bus. Another option is to take a public bus, but as it turned out for our family of four, a taxi was the cheapest option.

The first thing I noticed about Macau was how similar the architecture was to Portugal; it was beautiful and so different from Hong Kong.

Senado Square, a paved town square and part of the UNESCO Historic centre of Macau World Heritage Site, has so much character and we were lucky enough to visit on a weekday so there weren’t too many visitors; I believe it can get extremely crowded at times, particularly over the weekend.

We made our way to the 17th Century Church of St Paul, although sadly all that remains are the facade and the stairway. The stairway was closed to visitors which was a shame as I think it would have been neat to be able to walk up them.  Again, I read that people have been able to so I am not sure if we had bad timing or if they just got lucky.

Monte Fort offered wonderful views of the city, but my favorite area was definitely the St, Lazarus Church district. It was equal in beauty to the other parts of Macau but so much quieter! I was hoping to come across some artists or galleries as I believe this is the artist area of the city, but we didn’t; maybe we needed to venture off to some side streets, or maybe  our timing wasn’t good.

If you happen to be an Indiana Jones fan you may wish to check out the Street of Happiness; formerly the red light district, this beautiful street was featured in the movie Temple of Doom.

For lunch I was hoping for some macanese cuisine, but with two tired and hungry children and parents who were slightly lost, we ended up at McDonald’s, which I hate to admit!

After lunch we decided to get away from the busy streets of Macau and catch a bus to Coloane. We did a small self-guided walking tour which saw us venturing past the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, the Coloane Library, Kun Iam Temple, and of course, we made sure we stopped in at the famous Lords Stow Bakery for some egg tarts.

What we really wanted to do in Coloane was visit A-Ma Statue & Temple and the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion at Seac Pai Van Park, but by the time we realized where the entrance was, we needed to head back to catch our return ferry to Hong Kong.

Of course if sightseeing isn’t your cup of tea, you could always visit one of the many casinos, eat breakfast with one of your favorite DreamWorlds character at one of the DreamWorks Experiences, or even bungee jump!

The most expensive part of our trip to Macau was getting there & back; for two adults and two children (children over the age of 1 need a ticket), it came to $180 USD.

It was a nice change of scenery from Hong Kong and since we weren’t sure we would ever be back in the area, it was worth the visit.