CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE CAMINA

A neat little scenic spot to visit the next time you are in the northern Okinawa area is Igimihakinzo Observatory Park. Igimihakinzo Park is located in the mountains of Ogimi and offers visitors a lovely view of the surrounding countryside and a handful of islands (e.g. Ie, Kouri, Izema, and Iheya) off the East China Sea side of northern Okinawa’s coastline.

In addition to Igimihakinzo Park’s tiered observatory tower, there are picnic areas to enjoy and a hiking trail to explore.

This mere “footpath” (labeled as such on the park map—but don’t let that fool you!) is part of the Yamashishigaki Mutayama Trail that winds its way up through the mountainside. The significance of the path is the stone wall perimeter it follows and that was erected more than 400 years ago by local villagers to keep out yamashishi (wild boar) from ransacking farmers’ potato fields.

(Although a more in-depth explanation of this area’s history in English may be found on a placard placed near the Yamashishigaki Mutayama Trail’s Shah Bay exit/entrance, this particular stretch of the trail does NOT exit anywhere near Shah Bay. It loops back around towards the road you initially drive up from Route 58 to get to the park. A yellow, red, and white sign with an orange turtle posted on it marks the spot.    

Depending on the time of year and how recently the footpath has been cleared of overgrowth and debris by Ogimi’s parks and recreation maintenance crew, the hike can prove to be an intensive activity. Appropriate footwear (hiking shoes or sneakers) is a must to attempt this trail. The path alternates between faux wooden steps, tiered stone blocks, dirt, loose boulders, leafy undergrowth, and places where gnarled tree roots jut out. All of these things collectively make the trek precarious in places.

Although the cooler weather months are an ideal time to attempt the trail in order to avoid mosquitos, run-ins with habu, and beat that ever wonderful Okinawa humidity we all enjoy so much, one should consider hiking with a companion and make sure to bring water along. Even on a mild weather day a person can easily work up a sweat. So keep yourself hydrated while you enjoy the views!

Address (approximate): 875 Ōganeku Ōgimi-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 905-1305, Japan

Map Points: 26.6869704, 128.13282700000002 (Note: these coordinates are only approximate due to Google Earth’s limited mapping of this area. So please use them in tandem with the directions posted below.)

Directions: Take the Okinawa Expressway north and get off on the 10 Toll exit. Follow Route 58 through and past Nago. Eventually you will pass signs along the 58 for Higashi and Ogimi. Just keep driving and be on the lookout for two large painted driftwood fish sculptures along the left-hand side of the road. These are your first set of landmarks.

Once you pass these sculptures, look immediately to your right for a sign with an owl and the word “Minori” painted on it.

Get in the turn lane and make a right onto this road. The drive up to the park takes approximately ten minutes. You will know you have arrived once you see (on the left side of the road) an orange mirrored pole standing next to a pole with signs directing you to turn right towards Igimihakinzo Park 50m away. The park is situated on the corner you turn onto. Park your vehicle in the parking lot directly across the street from the park area.

Additional notes: Bring a picnic, snacks, or consider grabbing a bite to eat before you leave Nago. You should also bring a trash bag and consider carrying your things in a backpack if you decide to attempt the trail. You’ll feel more comfortable hiking with both hands free. You’re going to need them!

CONTRIBUTED BY BOB ROBERTS

I recently went to K’s Town Cafe Restaurant and Bar in Yaese-cho and wanted to pass on what a nice little restaurant it is. Inside and out, the restaurant is immaculate in its cleanliness, and the wait staff were very helpful and friendly. The inside is bright with two walls of the building being made entirely of windows. There are also some tables outside on the patio for warmer days. There are live plants evenly spaced around the windows and there was plenty of space between tables, so there was no chance to feel crowded.

The menu is in Japanese only, but there are pictures of everything on the menu. The lunch set consists of the same items that are available for dinner, just in slightly smaller sizes. The fare includes: steak, chicken, seafood, pasta, pizza, and hamburger.

The salad bar is free with a lunch/dinner set, or it can be purchased separately for around 1000 yen. It comes with a non-alcoholic drink bar, soup, salad, and ice cream. My wife and I both had the grilled chicken lunch menu set. Really tasty, it comes with steak fries and a great dipping sauce. You also get a choice between bread and rice. I’m not sure what kind of rice it was, but it looked like a darker version of Spanish Rice, not the normal white rice that you get in most restaurants on the island.

Speaking about the wait staff, I got up to get a second plate from the salad bar and when I came back to the table, my initial dishes had been cleared along with my silverware. I started to ask my wife if she knew where I could get another fork when the waiter came over with a new set of silverware for me. Great service!

They also have pizza for take out and party platters, but I didn’t try either of them. While I’m talking about things I didn’t try this time around, there is also a full service bar in the restaurant. It looked like they had a wide assortment of Japanese adult beverages, along with the ones that you would find in your favorite bar back home. They only have five seats at the bar, so it didn’t seem to be the main focus of the establishment.

The parking situation is amazing for Okinawa. There is a full-size parking lot on two sides of the building, and a small parking area in front of the building. Each has signs saying it is reserved for K’s Town Cafe customers. Their business card says they have 50 parking spaces.

Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Last order on the weekends for food is at 9:00 p.m., and drinks at 10:00 p.m.

Payment:  Yen only

Phone: 098-996-1571

Address: 93 Iha, Yaese-chō, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa-ken 901-0405, Japan

Map Coordinates: 26.159717882997832, 127.7196212923127

Directions:

1. It’s Okinawa there are lots of ways to get there but the fastest is to go south on the expressway.
2. Take exit 1-1 Nishihara JCT
3. Stay on this road until exit A2 (stay on the left side going to Haebaru)
4. Turn left onto 507
5. Drive about 2 km on 507, until you see a KFC on the right.
6. Turn right on the next road (it has a turning signal)
7. At the next intersection turn left
8. Drive about 200 meters until you see the K’s Town Cafe Restaurant and Bar sign on the right side of the road.
9. Enjoy!

Website: K’s Town Cafe Restaurant and Bar 

CONTRIBUTED BY CAROLYN SCHAAB

Buying milk in a Japanese grocery store can be intimidating if you have never done it before. Many of you may have noticed already that Google translate does not always translate in a meaningful way or can be confusing. You may have also noticed that milk is labeled and categorized a bit differently than in the U.S.  So, here are a few tips for getting started and deciphering what is available in your local stores.

What types of milk are available in Okinawa? Let’s start with the basic three categories:

• “Regular” milk 牛乳 (gyuunyuu): This is milk that does not have additives or non-milk product.
• Processed milk 加工乳 (kakou nyuu): Milk that has been modified.
• Milk beverage 乳飲料 (nyuu inryou): Typically contains additives, such as vitamins or calcium.

We will discuss ingredients in more detail in a bit to help you better understand the three types.

From here, you are probably most interested in the fat content: 乳脂肪 (nyuu shibou).

• Whole milk will show a milk fat content of about 3.5% to 4 %. You might see this on the label, meaning the components are not adjusted: 成分無調整.
• Reduced or low fat milk 低脂肪 (tei shibou) is typically about 1.5%, but you will see little more or a little less available in stores as well.
• Nonfat milk無脂肪 (mu shibou) is less than 0.5%.

Now let’s take a look at some other kanji you will notice on the carton:

生 (nama): This translates loosely to “raw.” However, here the term “raw milk” means something different. Milk in Japan has strict regulations, so it is very unlikely you will ever see raw, unpasteurized milk here. Instead, this means raw milk was used as an ingredient and then pasteurized. I like to look for 100％生牛乳 on my cartons of milk. This means it is 100% raw milk use before pasteurization, no additives, no milk powders, etc. Just my preference, however, I will note it is typically whole milk (not low fat or nonfat) and more expensive. There is one brand of low fat (1.5%) 100%生牛乳 that I have seen, pictured below, but it rings in at ~250円 which means I often opt for whole milk as it is normally less expensive.

低温殺菌: low-temperature pasteurized. The carton will also label at what temperature (in Celsius) it has been pasteurized.

Hold on, what about organic? Sorry, I have not seen it in Okinawa regular milk, but there is organic soymilk. Look for the kanji 有機and the JAS symbol when looking for organic products. Perhaps the Parus Organic Store or Green Leaf carries some, but I have yet to see it in a regular grocery store in Okinawa.

Another type of milk you may have heard about is EM milk. EM is effective microorganisms. This milk is a popular favorite among those looking for something similar to organic milk. It is  whole milk, 100%生牛乳! EM milk will have “EM” labeled in large letters on the carton, making it easy to identify; no difficult kanji to remember here. Do some online reading if you are interested in EM products and see what sort of benefits it can give you.

Now that you are standing in front of rows of milk cartons, desperately trying to match up the kanji that I have bombarded you with, let’s get onto reading the ingredients and verifying what you want to purchase! This will also help you understand the differences between the aforementioned milks. Let’s practice reading a label; I will start with a reasonably priced non-fat Meiji brand:

Look next to the kanji 原材料名located on the side of the carton for ingredients and nutrition information:

生牛乳  raw milk

乳製品  dairy product

脱脂粉乳 nonfat dry milk powder

乳化剤 emulsifier

炭酸カルシウム calcium carbonate

セルロース cellulose

pH調整剤 pH adjuster

カルシウム calcium (also ミルクカルシウム)

鉄 iron

ビタミンvitamin

Ready for another one?  This is one of my least favorites, to be honest…

Here is another hint to help you identify whole milk quickly and easily: a half-moon shaped notch at the top of any cartons. This helps visually-impaired persons recognize whole milk easily.

Okay, well just in case this is not enough information for you, what types of specialty milk are there?

おなかにやさしい(onaka ni yasashii): This indicates reduced lactose milk. This literally translates to “easy on the stomach.” I know of two brands of reduced lactose milk here in Okinawa. アカディ(Akadei by MegSnow) andデーリィDairy brand. They are both 80% reduced lactose so it is easier on the stomach. There is no 100% lactose-free milk out in town. If someone finds it… make sure to post it; there are always a few folks looking for it.

豆乳(tounyuu): This is soymilk; you will see it everywhere and in every flavor. Below is just one of the many brands you will notice in the store. Honestly, this is a whole other article waiting to happen, so I won’t go into details here…

アルマンドミルク(arumando miruku): almond milk. Small cartons are available in Glica and Almond Breeze brands, typically in the 100円range. These can also come in various flavors. Kaldi carries a shelf-stable larger carton (I think imported from Europe somewhere), but it is 600円 and probably not how much you want to spend unless you are truly desperate.

Okay, now you should be brimming with confidence on your ability to buy the milk you desire;  it is time to use your new skills out and about in the grocery store. Ganbatte がんばって！

Bonus tip: This guide to buying food in Japan is a handy resource for grocery shopping in Okinawa. (No, I did not write it, but it is really quite useful for first starting out!)

Editor’s Note: This park was originally reviewed on Okinawa Hai on April 16,2007. The post below is an updated take on the park with more details and photos.

CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN

While enjoying a family run this morning, the boys shrieked with excitement at the site of a new park. “Mom! Look! Stop!! We see a park!” Needless to say, we made our way back to the park after we finished our run. Toyosaki Niji Park is a block away from the Ashibinaa Outlet Mall. This may prove very convenient for parents with children who have spent the day shopping and now need a place to let their children burn off their pent-up energy in a constructive manner.

I felt comfortable letting my toddler explore the playground without the threat of imminent danger. This is one of the safer playgrounds in Okinawa. If you are not as comfortable with your child scaling to the top then they can still have a great time on stable ground. There are little train playground to play on and a railroad track that goes around them equipped with a train station and stores.

I love the slides that are made with plastic slats because they don’t get hot and are easy to slide down. Lucky for us this park has one! The park is also equipped with a walking path, open field, tennis and basketball courts and skate park.

There are bathrooms and a covered picnic table area. There are only a few benches, so you may want to bring a blanket to sit on. There are two small parking areas on each end of the park.

Directions: Head 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. This will take you on a viaduct. Around 1 mile (1.5 kilometers), take the exit on the left.  Turn left at the light.  Take the first right turn then take the first right turn again.  You will see the park on your right.

From the expressway: Head south. Go towards Haebaru and the 506. Take the Nakachi exit.  Turn left onto the 68 and left again onto the 331. Turn right onto the 249. After you cross the bridge, turn left at the second street.  Turn right onto the next street and the park will be on your right.

Address (approximate): Tomigusuku Road, Toyosaki, Tomigusuku-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-0225, Japan

Map Points: 26.153464, 127.659095

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 Foster, Ginowan City

Overview

Camp Foster is one of the central camps on Okinawa in both location and function. Regardless of what service you are in you will likely find some reason to visit this diverse base. It is named after Private First Class William A. Foster who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa during the Second World War. Camp Foster is one of several installations throughout Okinawa which make up the Marine Corps Base Smedley D. Butler. Camp Foster is one of the largest camps on Okinawa and has several gates that residents on the island refer to by the most prominent landmark nearest to the gate. Examples would be the Fire Station Gate, Spot Gate, and Legion Gate (which is located near the American Legion offices just outside). When signing in visitors, it is recommended you visit the Commissary Gate.

Housing

Camp Foster does have family housing units that range from multiplex, single family homes to tower apartment style quarters which the majority of have been recently renovated. 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/

Currently, you can only live off base if your designated housing areas are 98 percent filled or above. Generally 4 bedroom housing fills up the fastest because only the multiplex or single family units contain quarters that large. The single family houses are the oldest quarters in use and most fall under the Tier II category, which means they are on the chopping block for renovation or demolition. The housing occupancy numbers are updated weekly. You can read all our housing reviews for Camp Foster on Okinawa Hai here.

Camp Foster does also have 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.

Camp Foster has two temporary lodging facilities located nearby Building 1 and the Macaroni Grill restaurant. These facilities are the Westpac Inn and Westpac Lodge. The Inn is for bachelor unaccompanied guests. Typically most inbound families to Camp Kinser stay at the Westpac Lodge http://www.mccsokinawa.com/lodging/ or Shogun Inn http://af.dodlodging.net/propertys/Kadena-AB (Kadena AFB).  An alternative that many overlook is the well managed Navy Gateway Inn on Kadena AFB http://ngis.dodlodging.net/propertys/Okinawa-CFA—Japan . Kadena AFB is a short and usually fast drive from Camp Foster depending on time of day and traffic.

Shopping

The base has a large newly renovated exchange in building 1004 which offers an impressive selection of goods and services one would expect to find in any stateside department store. The main exchange building houses a small food court with a Subway and Taco Bell shop.

Just next door and connected to the main store by covered walking path is the Camp Foster Marketplace (aka Mini Mall). The Marketplace rents store space to a multitude of local vendors which sell everything from furniture to souvenirs and clothing. This facility also has a barber shop, beauty shop, plaque shop, flower shop, optical center, garden store, Cinnabon, New Car Sales and cell phone dealers (AU and Softbank). If you need help mailing or packing all your purchases there is also a mail center/pack and wrap that can assist you for a small fee. Many of the vendors change out month to month so it is always worth stopping by to see what is new. There are also two Community Bank ATMs outside between the mini mall and Theatre.

Camp Foster has a large commissary. This particular commissary takes cash, credit, or debit and has convenient self-checkout lanes. There is also a deli, bakery, butcher onsite that one can order some fresh sushi or preorder a custom birthday cake. For more info visit: http://www.commissaries.com/stores/html/store.cfm?dodaac=HQCWHN

There is an exchange convenience store near the Legion Gate in building 464 which sells alcohol, snacks, drinks, hotdogs, medicine, magazines, and household convenience items. This location also has a video rental section that sells used DVDs and Blue Ray disks. This store is known as the Butler Express and is open 24 hours a day.

There are two financial institutions located on Camp Foster. Community Bank is located in building 1005 and is the only of the two financial institutions that can exchange foreign currency http://www.dodcommunitybank.com/m/locations/banking_center?id=678 .

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 across the street from Popeye’s in building 1009. 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. It is located near the Main Exchange food court in building 1006. The post office accepts cash, credit, or debit cards. The Foster post office also houses PO boxes which are issued to personnel with an area clearance. Despite many misconceptions, a sponsor can reserve a PO Box for an inbound family 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. All posts offices on Okinawa are closed Sundays, Wednesdays, and federal holidays.

The “Marine Thrift Shop” in building 5691 offers terrific deals on clothing, toys, books, movies, uniform items, and other items donated to the store. The Thrift Shop also has volunteer opportunities for those interested in helping the community. For more information visit the site’s webpage at: http://www.marinethriftshopokinawa.org/

There is another thrift shop on the camp called “The Okinawa Enlisted Spouses Club Thrift Store” (aka Uncle Sam’s Attic) located in building 859.

Near the Foster Theatre is “Island Treasures” in building 1011 which is a gift shop that sells items from all around the Pacific. Stock rotates on a regular basis so it is always worth your time to stop by and see what is new. Island Treasures has also expanded and opened a furniture annex in building 461 near the Chapel. For more information visit: www.marinegiftshopokinawa.com/

*A note about buying furniture on Okinawa. The central location of the island in the Pacific region allows for merchants to affordably import and sell furniture made out of prized woods (sometimes antique or hand carved) such as Chinese oak, teak, teak root, maple, mango and rosewood at a small fraction of the price you would pay stateside. The wood is also usually made from solid pieces and the really good stuff is put together with dowels instead of nails or tacks. If you do your homework before you buy, you can return to the USA with coveted woodwork that will actually increase in value or function as prized heirlooms.

Camp Foster is unique in that it has its own dedicated furniture and appliance store. Located in building 5949, this large facility sells bedroom sets, couches, chairs, rugs, table sets, washers, dryers, refrigerators and other items for the home. Though command sponsored service members aboard Okinawa (on or off base) rate furniture through the housing office, there are some nice alternatives at this store which will make your quarters or off base apartment feel more like a home. Most of the brands sold at this store are made by major stateside companies such as Ashley, Whirlpool, Basset, and General Electric. If you do live off base then some appliances bought here will require a transformer, which are also sold at this location. This location also offers third party delivery services on and off base for a small charge. For more info look at the “Stores” section of this page: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores/United%20States/AP/APO/Camp-Foster-(Okinawa)-1771001

The Military Clothing store on Camp Foster is one of the largest on island. Aside from Marine and Navy uniform items you can find base souvenirs, athletic clothing, a department called “Stripes” for alterations and a small shop that does custom embroidery. The latter is especially useful if you need to get a unit Gideon (flag) made as a replacement or farewell gift. It is located in building 5950 which is directly across from the Furniture Store. You can visit the Camp Foster Exchange page for current info on hours and phone numbers: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores/United%20States/AP/APO/Camp-Foster-(Okinawa)-1771001

Dining

The Exchange food court (Bldg. 1001) offers franchise favorites such as Anthony’s Pizza, Burger King, Charley’s grilled subs, Manchu Wok and Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins. Burger King is the only eatery at this location that offers a drive thru.

Popeye’s has its own restaurant on Camp Foster in building 1017 across the street from Navy Fed. This location has a drive through window. Popeye’s serves Cajun style food and specializes in spicy and mild fried chicken.

Another fast food favorite on Camp Foster is Captain D’s which is located in building 1018 next door to Popeye’s. Captain D’s is a seafood restaurant which is very similar to Long John Silver’s. The primary staples at Captain D’s are the fried and broiled fish platters. There is also an expresso shop in the rear of the store called Main Street X-presso.

There is a rebuilt club on Camp Foster called the Ocean Breeze which has an SNCO lounge and Enlisted Club. There are two all ranks dining areas in this facility. The Veranda usually serves lunch buffet and event themed dinners. The décor in the Veranda is elegant and feels like eating in the dining room of a fancy hotel. The Globe and Anchor is the other dining option in the building which has a sports bar theme and is quite large inside. The Globe and Anchor serves burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and local favorites. For information on current hours, events or the menu visit: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/oceanbreeze/

Near the Ocean Breeze are the Spot Food Court / Market Place facilities in Bldg. 200. Referred to by locals as simply “The Spot,” this facility houses a Subway, Pizza Hut, and Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins restaurants. This facility also has a beauty shop called “The Spa”, a barber shop, alteration shop, dry cleaners, launderette, and Teen Center. There is a Community Bank ATM and a playground located near the parking lot. Further details can be found at: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores/United%20States/AP/APO/Camp-Foster-(Okinawa)-1771001

The Foster Bowling Alley in building 5670 has a Pizza Hut and A&W restaurant. If you have been to an A&W in the United States, this location will not disappoint as it has the same burgers, curly fries, chilidog combos and draft root beer in a glass mug offered stateside. The Pizza Hut is good but is more of a Pizza Hut express.

One of the popular places on Camp Foster to eat is Romano’s Macaroni Grill prominently located in building 5600. For most newcomers that stay in the Westpac Inn it is a no brainer as it is directly across the street from the Hotel. The official website is http://www.macaronigrill.com/locations/36072 and is well maintained. This Macaroni Grill looks exactly like what you would find stateside and has a private room for parties or events. The Okinawa Hai review can be found here.

The Butler Officer’s Club is located in the Plaza housing area and has a Sunday brunch buffet that is a force to be reckoned with. Though this is the Officer’s club the main dining room is open to all ranks, valid ID card holders and guests. Monette hits all the wickets with this article.

For directions, hours and a handy map to the Butler Officer’s Club visit their page at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/boc/

Recreation

There is a base gym called “Gunners Gym” is the newest and one of the largest on Okinawa. Located in building 5902 the Gunners Fitness Center offers a large weight room, cardio room, racquetball courts, basketball court, sauna/steam room, and martial arts room. Adjacent to the main gym building are a baseball field, outdoor heated pool, tennis courts, field house, and an outdoor equipment rental facility. The gyms on Okinawa also offer a variety of classes and services from Karate and aerobics to massage therapy/personal trainers. For specific information on hours or contact info, please visit the MCCS Fitness Center website at http://www.mccsokinawa.com/fitness/

Okinawa is truly a diver or snorkeler’s paradise. Camp Foster is located within a few minutes of several popular beach and dive sites along the South China Sea. The Foster dive shop is located between the theatre and Navy Fed. A good page to locate the store is http://www.mccsokinawa.com/mccs%20wireframes/_mb_sub2.aspx?pageid=2147496084

Camp Foster’s theatre is conveniently located outside of the Main Exchange and Marketplace mini mall. This location tends to have more showings than most other camps and does play 3D movies. For current prices and show times visit the Exchange Reel Time website at: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/reel-time-theatres/Camp-Foster-1771001

The Foster Teen Center is available for dependents between the ages of 13-18 and is found in building 200 (The Spot). Specific information is available at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/youthandteen/

The Foster Bowling Alley is a large facility equipped with a pro shop, Pizza Hut and A&W. This is a great place for a party or to relieve stress at lunch time. 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 Kishaba Youth Center in building 24 (near Popeye’s) which has recreational activities for children between the ages of 10-12. All MCCS sponsored youth centers on island are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Specific information can be found at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/youth_centers/

MCCS Tours plus has an office in building 1010 located between the commissary and bowling alley. They are a great resource for getting acquainted to the many sites on Okinawa and for trips off island. For the current info on events and trips visit: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/tours/

The Custom Shop and Foster Framing and Fine Arts are both located in the Foster Community Center building (bldg. 5908). The Custom Shop is a one stop location for plaques, trophies, embroidery, silk-screening, engraving and laser engraving. For current info visit: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/customshop/

Foster Framing and Fine Arts offers classes in Ikebana, pottery, Japanese Calligraphy and other artistic disciplines. Aside from classes you can stop by and use the pottery wheels, easels, mat cutters, work tables and kiln services with the staff standing by to offer help and advice. For more info visit: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/framingandfinearts/

Education

Foster has three DODEA schools on the camp. They are Killin Elementary School, Zukeran Elementary School and Kubasaki High School. Middle school students are bussed to Lester Middle School.

All the DODEA schools on island are considered to be among safest and highest performing in the nation. For this particular reason Okinawa is considered a duty station of choice for families with school age children. For more information visit: http://www.dodea.edu/Pacific/Okinawa/

The Child Development Centers on Camp Foster are called the Foster Ashibina located in building 1680 and Foster Chimugukuru located in building 499.  Specific information can be found at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/cdc/

The Base Education Center (building 5679) offers tuition assistance help as well as hosts 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 Foster through MCCS visit: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/educationandcareerservices/

There is a MCCS ran library on Foster that checks out books, movies, and video games. There are also a variety of resources on site such as a testing center, 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/

Located at the end of the furniture store is a Music School (also Bldg. 5949). Classes are offered Monday thru Friday from 1000 to 1900 and Saturday from 0900 to 1600. The school’s headmaster is Professor Bienvenido S.P. Panganiban who served as director of the Ryukyu Classical Academy and completed dual Masters Degrees in music through Peabody. Joelle addressed this briefly in this article.

Unique Attractions or Services

Camp Foster is the central location for the Joint Services Vehicle Registration Office, located in building 5638 behind the bowling center. This is where you go to register your car, transfer your registration upon selling your car, get duplicate titles, license plates, and where you can do your two year Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) inspections. You also generally have to visit this office if you pay your annual road tax off base. On Okinawa, only one vehicle and motorcycle are allowed per licensed driver.

*A note on driving on Okinawa. There are a few differences about driving in Japan aside from the obvious shift to the left side of the street. One big difference is that local drivers on island tend to drive extremely cautiously, sometimes to a fault. This can be a culture shock to westerners who are used to traffic patterns that maintain a very fast flow. If a Japanese diver is unsure or unsafe, they tend to slow down or brake. Make sure you keep your attention focused on the road for sudden stops, slow moving vehicles or obstacles. Proper driving etiquette in Okinawa is also to flash your hazard lights as a “thank you”, or “sorry” gesture to other drivers. You will see this when you let someone in the road in front of you or sometimes if you are actually cut off by a local driver who might not have seen you.  Before you drive angry look for the flashing hazard gesture and consider adopting it yourself to help diffuse road tension.

Camp Foster also has the primary office for issuing Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) licenses on Okinawa for SOFA personnel. This office is the POV licensing section inside of the MCIPAC Installation Safety Office (building 5831). For details on the licensing section and getting a license visit: https://www.mccsokinawa.com/uploadedFiles/MainSite/Content/Marine_and_Family/Marine_and_Family_Programs_-_Resources/Weclome_Aboard_Okinawa/Obtaining%20Sofa%20License.pdf

All incoming Marine Corps personnel are processed through Camp Foster via the Joint Reception Center (unaccompanied personnel), or New Comers Orientation Brief (accompanied, civilian employees, and dependents). This is a very useful booklet made by MCCS for incoming families: https://www.mccsokinawa.com/uploadedFiles/MainSite/Content/Marine_and_Family/Marine_and_Family_Programs_-_Resources/Weclome_Aboard_Okinawa/GettingSettled(1).pdf

Camp Foster is one of the few bases that host a flea market that is open to both SOFA status personnel and local residents. Information on scheduling or registering as a seller can be found at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/fleamarket/

The Marine Corps main legal assistance office is located on Camp Foster in building 437.  The legal assistance office offers notary services, attorney consultation, and preventative law/pre-deployment briefs. For more information visit: http://www.mcbbutler.marines.mil/BaseInformation/LegalAssistance.aspx

The primary Passport office for the Marine Corps is in building 5717 (on the road that leads to the Naval Hospital). This office can process no fee and tourist passports through the United States Consulate as well as provide a SOFA stamp on new passports as long as you provide a valid set of orders and area clearance. It is very important to have all the paperwork prior to showing up since the staff at this location is limited to one agent and a few helpers. Since there is not an actual webpage with current info due to administration office moves, here is the most current info:  the DSN phone number is 645-9848/9847; hours of operation are from 0800-1100 and 1300-1600 Monday through Friday except Wednesday afternoon which the office shuts down for training purposes.

Family Services

Marine and Family Programs have a well-equipped facility which is located within building 445.  For more information you can go to their webpage at: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/mfp-r/

Medical

Camp Foster is now home to the new U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa. This facility is not only state of the art but is currently the largest overseas hospital in the United States Navy. Located in building 960 this complex is almost a base within a camp. The Naval Hospital Okinawa is online at: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhoki/Pages/default.aspx

The Naval Hospital has its own exchange, barber shop, gift shop, coffee shop and subway restaurant. Hours for the AAFES ran establishments can be found under “Hospital Exchange Facilities” at: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores/United%20States/AP/APO/Camp-Foster-(Okinawa)-1771001 . A new addition to the Hospital is Dean’s Kitchen, which is in the process of moving from its location off base to the Naval Hospital. Dean’s is known for its delicious yet healthy menu and excellent baked goods. The baked Coffee balls are unbelievably good and worth going out of your way for.

The Bush Dental clinic is the primary dental facility that services active duty, dependents, and retirees. 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 fuel station, car rental store, convenience store and repair shop operated by the Exchange on this camp located in building 5644.  The service station does oil changes and other repairs by appointment. There is an automated car wash near the fuel pumps and an area that offers hand detailing for the interior and exterior of your vehicle. 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 Foster is Typhoon Motors in building 5971. 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 Foster location specifically houses an Auto Recovery Center that serves as a great resource for used parts. Typhoon Motors on Camp Foster is also the hub for 24 hour island wide towing. 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 Foster is the Green Line Hub with busses to every camp stopping at the Main Exchange bus stop. 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.

Popular Nearby Attractions

There are an enormous amount of restaurants, parks and tourist attractions that can be enjoyed near Camp Foster. Below are but a few suggestions by fellow Okinawa Hai alumni.

Araha Beach is very near the Commissary Gate and is a favorite place to visit among westerners and locals. The linked article is older but still relevant article, written by one of our original writers, Julia.

One place on most visitors to do list is Nakagusuku Castle. Here is a beautiful article about the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Nakamurake Old House is near Nakagusuku Castle and is hundreds of years old. An article for this local treasure can be found linked above.

Sam’s Café is located within walking distance of Camp Foster’s Legion Gate. This establishment is a good place for island newbies to transition toward dining off base. The service is impeccable, the food is delicious and they accept all major credit cards.

One absolute favorite of most people around Camp Foster is Gen Restaurant. If you feel that you have graduated past Sam’s and are ready for something more along the lines of a traditional Japanese flavor pallet, Gen will not disappoint.  The link above has a reader review along with comments which pretty much sum up what this culinary gem is all about.

A brunch favorite is the Rose Garden outside Plaza Housing. The Rose Garden is so popular that it often has issues with parking and overcrowding. To avoid the drama I would recommend going on a weekday. I also suggest getting the scones, eggs benedict, or pork chop with eggs.

A popular place outside the Legion Gate to shop for furniture and household goods is the Living Design Space or what most people refer to as Today Ok. This area is actually a combination of several stores. One area sells used furniture, one area sells imported goods and household items, and another area sells modern furniture and is reminiscent of IKEA. The final area on the second floor is co-located by a Café and sells upscale items made by famous designers but is very pricey. A great article can be found at this link.

Curry Rice is a Japanese staple but the reigning king of Japanese Curry in the minds of most westerners living on Okinawa is CoCoIchibanya aka CoCo’s Curry House. When you are stateside and you run into people who lived in Okinawa, CoCo’s usually tops everyone’s list of most missed things. CoCo’s is a chain franchise throughout the island with some locations offering specials not found at other locations. All accept dollars or yen but only specific locations will take credit card. Linked above is an article that mentions the Foster location outside the commissary gate.

Manga Souko is a popular store that sells all manner of used merchandise. To pass this off as simply a second hand store would be a huge mistake. Manga Souko has toys, video games, game systems, trading cards, musical instruments, music CD’s (they work in American players), books, electronics, clothing, shoes, pottery, antiques, etc… You can read our review here.

Plaza Shopping Center is located near Plaza Base Housing. There are clothing, furniture, and gift shops as well as gourmet food stores. The main website is http://plazahouse.net/ which provides a useful overview of the facilities. Here are some other articles covering the establishments within Plaza Shopping Center:

Honey Café

Shakey’s Pizza

Plaza House Chinese Restaurant

Bangasa

You can always find a detailed list of reader-reviewed restaurants here on Okinawa Hai, listed by location HERE.

Have we missed something useful about Camp Kinser in this post? Please leave a comment with any information that can be helpful for our community!

CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE CAMINA

Perched high within the Ogimi mountainside is a lovely overlook area once belonging to a defunct resort hotel (Shah Bay) which closed in the mid-nineties. Shah Bay’s Mutabaru Observatory is a leftover remnant of the resort’s better days, and peers out onto the East China Sea, Motobu, Yagaji-jima, Kouri-jima Bridge, Kouri-jima, Route 58, Miyagi-shima, Shioya Bay, and Shioya Bridge below. The views from this lookout area are always at their best on sunny cloudless days, but can be beautifully foreboding as well when the weather appears less than optimal.

The observatory has a trellised area with picnic tables and benches. There are bathrooms and a Dydo machine in the immediate vicinity too. If you look to the right of the bathroom you will see a placard and the statue of a yamashishi (wild boar). The placard gives visitors an overview of the history of the yamashishigaki (wild boar gate). It is basically a four hundred-year-old stone wall that surrounds Ogimi’s farmlands. Entrance to the Yamashishigaki Mutayama Trail is just behind and to the right of the monument where rickety faux wooden steps snake up the hillside. The trek is at least a two-hour hike.

Though evidence of human activity—namely graffiti—might initially give visitors pause to explore the area, the observatory and nearby grounds appear to be maintained seasonally and are (for the time being) open to the public.

Across the street from the bathroom and monument is a park where a large water fountain sits in disrepair among a circle of Hoop pine trees.

To the left, a dilapidated welcome center building seems to be serving as someone’s makeshift storage shed. But it is the imposing karst rock formations rising alongside Shah Bay’s main resort buildings and cottages that draw the eyes of visitors upwards. These rock outcroppings and buildings with their faded facades encircle the entire park area below, while lending an air of solitude and melancholia to the general landscape.

But as tempting as it might be, (Yeah, I know what you are thinking!) the resort and cottages are completely off limits to the public in much the same way the Royal Hotel (aka Haunted Hotel) near the Nakagusuku-jo ruins in Kitanakagusuku are. Two reasons for this being: the overall structural integrity of the resort’s buildings has been compromised after decades of inoccupation and neglect, and—most importantly—Shah Bay is still a privately owned property. According to an Ogimi tourism official, Shah Bay Resort was bought by a developer a few years ago. Although there were plans to level the resort, demolition has ceased for the time being (unfortunately, the official was unable to elaborate any further on the matter).

Not only are there signs and concrete barriers presently blocking the entrance to the resort, but there is often a groundskeeper on site performing menial duties with his keitora (light truck) parked just past the barriers. I would not advise anyone to trespass. However, if you absolutely must know what the resort looks like from the inside, content yourself with the few YouTube videos and blogs dedicated to the matter. I’m almost positive the people who took the video and pictures of the resort did so before the present owner bought it.

Other than that, enjoy the views!

Address (approximate): 314 Oshikawa Ōgimi-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 905-1313, Japan

Map Points: 26.6727604, 128.12749439999993 (These are approximate due to Google Earth’s limited mapping of this area.  Use in conjunction with the directions below.)

Fast Directions: Take the Okinawa Expressway Toll Road north to Nago and get off on the 10 Toll Exit. Continue north along Route 58 through and past Nago. You will see signs for Ogimi Village eventually. When you do, start looking for a blue billboard pointing towards Highway 9 and Taiho Dam. This is only a landmark. Once you see this billboard keep on the 58 and drive completely across the bridge over the bay (These are Shioya Bridge and Shioya Bay.). Once you have done this you will soon pass under two blue billboards for Route 331 to Higashi. Make a right onto the 331 once you see the second blue billboard (these billboards are not far from one another). Follow the narrow street you turn onto as straight as you can until you come out onto a road facing the bay. Make a left. You will eventually pass a set of three stone monuments (two black and one white) next to a small parking area on your right. They make up the Shinsho Miyagi Monument. However, don’t let this distract you because immediately after this there will be a street on your left with an elongated faded blue and white sign post. You should still be able to make out the words Shah Bay on it. A red arrow on the sign directs you to turn left. Turn left and follow the steep, winding road all the way to the top of the mountain. Be careful. This road is in sore need of repair and shows evidence of landslides!

Safer Directions: Take the Okinawa Expressway Toll Road north to Nago and get off on the 10 exit. Continue north along Route 58 through and past Nago. You will see signs for Ogimi Village eventually. Keep driving along the 58 until you see two large colorful driftwood fish sculptures on the left side of the street. These are landmarks. Once you pass the fish sculptures immediately get in the right turn lane. There should be a sign with an owl and the word Minori written on it. Turn right onto this road and drive for about another 10-15 minutes. You will want to look for an orange mirrored post next to another directing you towards the Yamashishigaki (Mutayama Trail) 3.2 km. Follow this sign by making a right. You will start to come upon houses and shikuwasa orchards down this road (This is Ogimi’s district of Oshikawa). Be on the lookout for the second Yamashishigaki (Mutayama Trail) 1.0 km sign on the right. Turn right and follow the steep road all the way up. Shah Bay Mutabaru Observatory will be at the top.

Additional Notes: The steep road described in the fast directions portion of this review is lined with cherry trees and is absolutely beautiful towards the end of January during Okinawa’s Cherry Blossom season.

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

American Village

Photo credit: Sharon Fisher

“Metallic beetle
Shining vibrant in the sun
Soaring through the breeze” –Shannon Kroemer

American Village

Photo credit: Leandros Rubio
Leandros Rubio Photography

American Village

Photo credit: Pamela Oliveras
Pamela Oliveras Photography

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

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

April 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.

April 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

April 4th – 5th

            Great Japan Beer Festival

Over 1,500 beer enthusiasts are expected to taste award winning beers. Helios Pub, Kokusai Street, Naha, Okinawa. ¥2,900 (including 12 beer coupons). April 4th, 1pm – 9pm. April 5th, 12pm – 5pm.

April 10th

            Hula Dance & Live Band

Live hula dancing and Hawaiian band at Chatan Park Sunset Beach, Chatan. 5pm – 9pm

April 11th

            Ryukyu Ocean Flame Festival

10,000 fireworks displayed to Okinawa folk music. Ginowan Seaside Park Tropical Beach, 4-2-1 Mashiki, Ginowan. ¥2,700. 4:30 Show Time, 7:30pm Show. Rain Date April 12th.

            Motobu Tourism & Culture Festa

Goat fights, bull fights, folk music & dance. Motobu Town Multipurpose Event Space, Motobu Town. ¥1,000 Advance, ¥1,500 Day of. 18 years old and younger, free. 6pm – 8pm

April 18th – May 6th

            IE Island Lily Festival

Easter lilies and 84 other varieties of lilies to be enjoyed on the cliffs of Ie Island. Festivals will be held on the weekends, although fields are open to viewing anytime. 0980-49-2906

April 19th

            Azama Sun Sun Beach Opening

Opening beach festival. First swim, shrimp & seaweed catching, seafood vendors, etc. Azama San-San Beach, 1141-3 Chinen, Nanjo. 098-948-3521.

            Chinen Peninsular Fisherman’s Market

100% Local seafood and produce. Umino Chinen, 1198 China Chinen, Nanjo. Every 3rd Sunday. 9am – 12pm. Yen only. 098-947-6616

April 25th

            Ryukyu Kings vs. Shiga Lake Stars

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.

April 26th

            Ryukyu Kings vs. Shiga Lake Stars

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. 4:30pm doors open, 6:00pm tip off.

            FC Ryukyu vs. Morioka Grulla

Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥300 – ¥2,000 . Buy in advance (Family Mart/Lawson) or day of at door. 1pm kick off.

CONTRIBUTED BY SHANNON ROMAN

Following a last minute trip back to the States on emergency leave with my three children, ages 4, 7 and 9, I heard, “You are so brave!” more times than I can count. There are lots of extra things to think about when traveling with children, but I can tell you from personal experience that you shouldn’t be afraid. With Spring Break and school summer vacation on the horizon, you can travel adventurously with relatively little stress!

My husband and I were stationed in Okinawa 14 years ago. Young and free and childless! We had a great time and did some sightseeing, but did not take advantage of the travel opportunities at our fingertips. So, when we found out we were on our way back for another tour, we were determined not to let the same thing happen. There was just a tiny problem with our vision of all the sights, sounds, and places we would be visiting… three of them to be exact; our darling children, a 4 year old boy and two girls, ages 7 and 9. Honestly, they make our trips exciting in ways that we would never have noticed as adults. However, it does take a bit more preparation to pull off travels that are fun for both the parents and the children.

Tips:

Prepare the kids with words. Before any flight or trip, we start casually talking to them about what they will see and do while we are traveling. More importantly we talk about what they will NOT do. It kind of becomes a game. “So, guys. What are the rules on an airplane?” We’ve been doing this for a while now, so I even get smart remarks from the 4 year old like “Don’t jump out of the plane without a parachute?!?” But eventually we go through all the big issues I dread occurring. “We don’t whine and cry, we don’t kick the seat in front of us, we keep the seat belt on”. Talk about what they CAN do as well. “You can look at the clouds, listen to music, play with your toys, read (or pretend to read in the 4 year old’s case), color, or go to sleep.” It’s still unbelievably exciting that they can “Go potty up in the air when the seat belt light turns off!”

Pack your bags (and their bags): Each child has his or her own little backpack. Before every flight I find a few toys that are unopened and unseen by them. The dollar section of BX/PX (or Target when in the US) is perfect for this. I also hide away these little toys when they come in care packages from grandparents in the States. Once you get on the plane, you allow your child to open one toy at a time. (Now that my kids are a little bit older, I have less of a problem with this, but when they were 1-3 years old, this could buy me the precious 5-10 more minutes of silence needed).  *Don’t bring toys that make sounds. There’s nothing worse than hearing “Beep-beep-booooooo-glack-ding-dong” sixty-seven times in a row with nowhere to go. It will INEVITABLY be your child’s favorite toy for the entire flight and you will be more than stressed worrying about whether other passengers can hear it. From personal experience… just don’t go there.

Bring electronics: But save them as a last resort! I am always amazed at how many flights and rides we go through without ever having used the DVD player or hand-held game. But it’s nice to know they are there when we want them.

Diapers and Pull-ups: Pack a bag or suitcase with the amount you think you’ll need for your trip. Then… pack 10 more and put a few of them in every other bag you have with you. You never know when you will be laid over in an airport or have a baby with a blow-out.

Sanitizer wipes: I bring more of these on every trip than I can count! The minute we sit down on the plane, we wipe down every surface we can. Particularly, the tray table, seat belts and arm rests. I’m sure I look like a germaphobe (my husband has told me as much), but ever since we began doing this, we have not gotten sick during or shortly after our travels. Just think how many people touch the surfaces on an airplane and all of the things they have been in contact with. The two minutes it takes to clean up your own area on the plane before your child puts something in their mouth or even just buckles the seat belt and then rubs their eyes could save you a week of illness.

Stroller or baby back pack: I have never been much for the stroller while traveling because it just felt like one more thing to carry. But I won’t deny that it works well for a lot of people I’ve talked to who have multiple children or children younger than mine. Consider whether you are traveling with one adult or more, and think about what you might need in the worst case scenario if one or more of your tiny traveling companions aren’t quite cooperating with the rush to get from point A to point B. We use a “Boba” baby carrier and it’s lasted way longer than I ever thought it would. I still carry my 4 year old around in it, and he’s a giant for his age.

Snacks: Never underestimate the power of low blood sugar. We bring fruit snacks, buddy fruits, granola bars and juice pouches everywhere. Most of the time we don’t end up needing them, but having them for hunger, thirst, or a cure for momentary boredom is a lifesaver.

Last, but not least, be flexible and open to things that children find interesting. We take our kids to temples and museums. Not just the “fun kid stuff”. Sometimes that means we have to make a quick escape outside to play so that we aren’t disturbing any of the other sightseers. And sometimes that means that one parent actually “hears” the tour guide while the other is “finding things that are the color red”. It’s amazing what level your children rise to when you expect them to behave a certain way AND set the situation up to be as accommodating of them as possible.

In the end, remember that things work out regardless of the amount of stress you feel before, during or after the situation is occurring. I learned this as I traveled back from the U.S. (with all three kids).  First we got delayed in Raleigh for 6 hours, causing us to miss our flight in Detroit.  We spent the night, but then had a weather delay in Detroit, causing us to miss our Tokyo flight. We spent the night in Narita before finally making it back to Okinawa- three days later than I expected. And did I mention we only had our carry-on luggage with us? Our suitcases made it home four days after we did. Naturally, I wanted to panic at every set back. Having the children with me actually made it easier to say “Well, there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it… let’s go have a fashion show with the hotel bath robes”.

CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE CAMINA

Near the Shah Bay Mutabaru Observatory in Ogimi, there is a small statue of a wild boar lying next to a placard detailing the history of the village’s most important feature: the Yamashishigaki, or “Wild Boar Wall”. Editor’s Note: The author has transcribed the placard, and it is included at the bottom of this article.

The Hiking Trail: Behind and to the right of the Yamashishigaki monument, are a set of rickety faux wooden stairs that serve as one of a handful of entrances and exits to the Yamashishigaki Mutayama Trail. However, this particular entrance and exit, and another located near Igimihakinzo Park, seem to serve as the main access points according to area maps. Let it be noted that the benefit of attempting to hike the trail starting from the Shah Bay Mutabaru Observatory entrance, is that approximately a fourth of the way into the hike, visitors will be rewarded by seeing the Yamashishigaki. In fact, the bulk of what makes up the man-made parts of the wild boar wall is nearest to the Shah Bay entrance, whereas the other entrances rely mostly on the ingenuity of its builders’ resourceful use of the mountain topography’s natural features (primarily rock outcroppings) to serve as barriers against wild boar.

For those expecting to see a wall built with smooth-edged interlocking stones, such as the type commonly seen in the construction of gusuku (castles) on island, the Yamashishigaki is not that type of wall. Though there are definitely parts of the wall that appear to have been better maintained, others have since fallen into disrepair. Even its most polished sections seem almost crudely constructed. Clearly the wall’s architects were more preoccupied with function than  appearance. And yet, despite the inelegance of its construction, it is evident that the wall’s architects were skillful in its building, since a considerable length of it still stands more than four centuries later.

The trail alternates between steep staircases, stone steps, forest undergrowth, and dirt paths. Most of this would be nothing if it were not for cumbersome tree roots, loose rock, and boulders obstructing the way. Even when wearing appropriate footwear (e.g. sneakers or hiking boots) you will stub your toes. You will lose your footing. And you will most likely twist something. You have been warned.

Benches and picnic areas serve as rest stops along the trail, but they are far and few between. However, there are also a few scenic peaks where the path veers off toward views of Motobu, Yagaji-jima, Kouri-jima, Miyagi-shima, and Shioya Bay. The sunsets are absolutely stunning from these vantage points, but visitors must keep in mind how quickly visibility diminishes after the sun has set. We highly advise bringing a flashlight along, just in case things get hairy.

Approximately an hour and a half into the hike (conservatively), the trail will eventually come to a fork where a lone bench and signpost are. The path to the right goes towards Igimihakinzo Park, while the path to the left (marked Uibaruhakinjou) ends near a road (which I will describe later in the Safer Directions portion of this review). It is about an extra hour’s worth of hiking in either direction. And unless you know where either of these exits are, and are resourceful enough to have brought along a friend with an extra vehicle (to enable you to park one car at your anticipated exit, and the other at the entrance), you’ll have to double your walking time back towards the starting point. I highly suggest visitors not attempt to start this hike any later than 1 P.M., in order to ensure you have ample daylight to make it back safely to your vehicle.

Additional notes: December through April are ideal months to attempt this hike, with January being my favorite time to do so. In early January the trail is cleared of overgrowth; wild camellias bloom mid-month; ripened shikuwasa (kugani) is plentiful along the path for eating; and cherry blossom season comes at the end of the month for the entire area.

Where: Kunigami-gun, Ogimi-son, Okinawa-ken, Japan

Map Coordinates: 26.671286, 128.126447 (These are only approximate due to Google Earth’s limited mapping of this area. Use in conjunction with the directions posted below.)

Fast Directions:

1. Take the Okinawa Expressway north and get off at the 10 Toll Exit.
2. Drive through and past Nago on Route 58.
3. Once you pass the Shioya Bridge in Ogimi, be on the lookout for two blue billboards directing you towards Route 331 to Higashi.
4. Turn right after seeing the second blue billboard and follow the narrow residential road as straight as you can until it comes out towards a street near the bay wall.
5. Take a left and continue to follow the 331 until you see three stone monuments on your right (two are black and one is white). These serve only as landmarks. Right after you pass this set of monuments you will see a road on your left that you will want to turn on to. It is marked by a long rectangular sign with faded lettering that reads Shah Bay.
6. Take the road to the top and you will see the Shah Bay Mutabaru Observatory on your right.
7. Drive past this and make a left. You should see a gazebo, bathroom, and the Yamashishigaki Mutayama Trail monument on the left.

Safer Directions: These directions are safest because the Fast Directions outlined above require you to drive up a steep road during the last leg of your trip that is in sore need of repair and shows evidence of recent landslide activity.

1. Take the Okinawa Expressway north to Nago.
2. Get off on the 10 Toll Exit. Drive through and past Nago on Route 58 to Ogimi. You will eventually see two sculptural fish skeletons made out of driftwood on the left side of the road.
3. Make a right onto the next road where a sign with an owl and the word Minori is painted on it. Take this road straight up the mountainside. (For those of you bringing two vehicles, as I suggested in the review so that you can park one at the Uibaruhakinjou entrance/exit: look for a yellow sign on the right side of the road with an orange turtle and red lightning bolts illustrated on it. The road beside it is where you park your car.) Map Coordinates: 26.682003, 128.120206. Sometimes the entrance to this road is chained, but you should still be able to park on the side near it if this indeed be the case. Otherwise continue up the main road and look for a mirrored pole and another with signs pointing towards “Igimihakinzo Park 50m” (You can park a second car here too).
4. For the Yamashishigaki (Mutayama Trail) 3.2 km. Take a right and follow this road down until you come to an agricultural area (Oshikawa) where the second “Yamashishigaki Mutayama Trail 1.0 km” sign is posted on the right-hand side of the street.
5. Take another right up this road. The monument will be on your right, across from the Shah Bay Resort at the top and near a public bathroom.

 Special Note: The placard at the beginning of the trail is posted in Japanese, Korean and English. In English, it reads:

The Yamashishigaki (Wild Boar Wall) was built around the time Noguni Sokan brought sweet potatoes to Okinawa in 1605, and the potatoes became a staple crop. Our ancestors of Ogimi Village built the Yamashishigaki at a total length of 32 km around both the Somayama (the present village) and the crop land (fields) to prevent incursions by Yamashishi (wild boars) and to defend the fields. Particularly the walls were patrolled constantly, with villages determining their areas of responsibility with regard to the repair and maintenance, and collectively performing construction and maintenance.

It is recorded that between 1776 and 1782, the villagers of Shioya, Yakomaeda, Taragawa, Tonokiya, and Nerome, under the instructions of their administrators, undertook a large-scale maintenance construction project on the Yamashishigaki during their agricultural off seasons and during moonlit nights, and where a 2631 step (1.5 km) long, 7 Shaku (2.1 m) high and 4 Shaku (1.2 m) wide Yamashishigaki was said to have been completed by gathering rocks and laying them one on top of the other. (From Kyuyo by Sho Bokuo)

Even later, generation after generation of our ancestors continued to maintain the Yamashishigaki. Even after World War II, a large number of villagers mobilized to perform maintenance on the Yamashishigaki that surrounded the entire village of Ogimi. The wall exists even now on lands owned by the village and lands owned by individuals.

The History of the Yamashishigaki

Our ancestors spent many generations as individuals and as entire communities in maintaining and preserving the Yamashishigaki. Under the laws determining the boundaries of Ogimi Magiri (division of land before Village, Town and City system), the officials of the villages would patrol the wall, and order those in charge of repairs to perform the necessary work on the Yamashishigaki. If they found it was damaged. If they found that it was not repaired by the time of the next patrol, those responsible for the negligence would be ordered to pay two bushels of rice in fines.

Keeping the yamashishi out of the fields was a battle of life and death for the members of the agricultural communities, as the incursions of yamashishi into a field would mean the decimation of not only sweet potato, but all the crops within the community.

The history of our ancestors is engraved within the Yamashishigaki. The Yamashishigaki surrounding the entirety of Ogimi Village is also called the Jyuri-no-Chojyo (named after the Japanese name for the Great Wall of China) It is a symbol of the long history of the people of Ogimi Village, chronicling its building , repairs and maintenance, and is an important cultural asset that speaks to us of the history of our ancestors.

CONTRIBUTED BY MARIE LEWIS/PHOTOS BY PETER VANOSDALL AND MARIE LEWIS

I recently had the opportunity to go on a short-term Christian mission trip with a team from Koza Baptist Church. It was a difficult but important step of faith for me, and I left profoundly humbled by the experience. Let me be clear: I am no expert on poverty alleviation. However, I learned some valuable lessons on this trip. My intent in this article is to share some of my personal experience, and offer recommendations to those of you with a heart for this kind of service.

Our group of four women and seven men spent one week in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We helped build a community bathroom in a small neighborhood, helped paint a church in another (the same church another Koza mission team helped build a year earlier), and conducted daily Bible study activities with roughly 30 local children.

A Cambodian Pastor named Paul was central to our mission, as was missionary Buddy Rathmell, a former youth group leader in Okinawa and founder of stopslavery.org. Paul and Buddy have well-established relationships with the communities in which we worked, making our assistance possible. The widow who ministers to women and children in her church and the people in a neighborhood with no functional toilet were not dependent on being “rescued” by anyone; rather, they dictated their plans to us through Paul and Buddy, and we gladly helped out where we could.

I was worried before the trip that my desire to help could potentially exacerbate feelings of inferiority in these communities. It was hugely important to me that Koza operated from a place of empowering others. The team accomplished this by offering encouragement to individual people and helping them capitalize on what was already working in their neighborhoods. The widow, for example, had worked out an arrangement with some of the parents in her neighborhood. She would conduct Bible studies for their kids on Sunday evenings, so the parents were free to work second jobs to help support their families. We helped her shellac the church to protect it from termite damage, but she was in charge of its use and was proud to share photos with us of the many ways in which she has used the church to unite the neighborhood.

Daily Bible study activities with the kids were the most challenging and rewarding aspect of the trip for me. I am strong in my faith but have always struggled with articulating it to others. Throw in a language barrier and a massive cultural divide, and I was terrified. But the thing about kids, I learned, is that they’re a much more forgiving audience than most adults. At first, I clung to my highlighted scripture passages and hand-written notes. But gradually I realized I didn’t need them. I didn’t need to deliver a carefully worded speech. I just needed to relay the basic teachings of Jesus I’d been hearing about since I was a child. Pastor Paul was a gracious translator; he brought the stories to life with enthusiastic gestures, and his passion for the Gospel gave my confidence a major boost.

In addition to the building projects and Bible studies, Pastor Paul welcomed us to his home, where he lives with his family and runs a Christian orphanage. Together with his wife, Paul cares for his own three children and five orphans (at the time of this writing.) we had the privilege of visiting with the children, and they joined us twice for dinner.

I was worried, too, about the impact of our visiting the orphanage. I didn’t want to do anything that might harm the children emotionally. Here again, Paul’s permanent relationship with them was the lynchpin marrying our good intentions with his responsibility to the kids. We came simply as friends, to break bread and worship the Lord together. (The kids sang a series of impressive songs Paul had taught them).

Both at the orphanage and in the communities, I was amazed at the spirit of the children. They were so eager to love freely and learn about Jesus. The time I spent with them made my first world problems seem petty and irrelevant. I thought, “As I struggle to keep my own priorities straight, these kids have no problem putting God first.” What was so simple for them had been an ongoing challenge for me. Every little hand that grabbed mine, every smile that spread across every little face, reminded me to love without conditions or restraint.

We went to three church services with different groups of kids and families on our last day. I began to cry during one of them, when Buddy preached about The Lord never abandoning us in our times of struggle. It struck me that even though I am not materially poor, I am no better off spiritually than the people I was trying to serve. We are all broken. We all feel intense heartache, I thought, and I need to remember to lean on God just as much as the next person.

I would encourage you to get involved in your own church. Koza Baptist Church organizes one or two mission trips each year, and I’d venture a guess that other churches in Okinawa do as well. If you feel called to go on a mission trip, I would recommend some spiritual preparation.

Before you go…

Do your homework. Koza required each member of our mission team to read When Helping Hurts, a book about how to help alleviate poverty without harming the poor. I feel strongly that it is a must read for Christian mission participants. One of the parts that really stuck with me throughout our trip was: “One of the biggest mistakes that North American churches make is in applying relief in situations in which rehabilitation or development is the appropriate intervention.”

Sure, donating a bag of clothes sounds like a great idea, but how does that affect the local business owner trying to earn his living by selling clothes in that neighborhood? And will that discourage people from working to earn money for clothes? There are many, many ways in which good intentions can have unintended and harmful consequences. This book helped me  understand the differences between relief, rehabilitation, and development.  It challenged me to consider the long term impact of my actions, and to work with the people I encountered, rather than doing things to or for them.

Pray. I initially jumped at the chance to go on a mission trip, only to turn around and doubt my preparedness. I am not a theologian, I am introverted, and I get nervous just praying out loud in front of others. One of the leaders at Koza told me that God does not call the equipped; he equips the called. This became my mantra! I prayed God would show me ways to be useful, to give me the right words, and the courage to overcome my self-doubt. Acknowledging my own brokenness helped me to trust God in leading me.

Be humble.  Avoid paternalism. To quote again from the book, “Do not do things for people that they can do for themselves.” I thought about this throughout our trip. While we were painting a church, the women and kids in the neighborhood painted alongside us. When the men in our team were helping build a bathroom, they were working alongside the men living in that neighborhood. The locals had ownership of each project; we were merely assisting. To take that a step further, do not assume you know a better way to accomplish a task than the local people. The men in our group acknowledged that the locals were more experienced in masonry, and they humbly followed the lead of the local men when laying bricks.

Be flexible. “Participation is not just a means to an end but rather an end in its own right.”  I am very schedule-oriented and it was a challenge for me to let go of my internal deadlines.  I had to be prepared for a particular Bible study with kids but open to the possibility that nothing I had planned would actually happen. I had to be okay with knowing the building projects might not be 100 percent complete before we left. That was okay, because we had such great participation from the communities in which we worked. But it was a big paradigm shift for me.

Trust God. At the risk of repeating myself, I cannot emphasize this enough. I know I am not perfect and I did not do everything right, but I had to let go of my need to control every situation. In Cambodia it was so clear how NOT in control I was. It was a powerful reminder that I need to trust God in my life every day. If I helped encourage a few people by praising their strengths, and nudged a few hearts an inch or two closer to Christ, I am happy to have played that small role in their lives.

CONTRIBUTED BY QUENTIN RICHARDSON

This restaurant is cozy, delicious and unfortunately, only open on the weekends. We found this place a while back while reading a book that explains the best places in Okinawa to eat with a view. The restaurant is located inside of the owner’s home and there are numerous cats in the area.

I highly recommend taking a local friend (someone who speaks Japanese) with you so you can be a better guest, just in case you are unfamiliar with local customs.

This unique cafe is located along Route 6 heading towards the Cape. If you don’t know what the sign looks like it would be easy to miss, because it is very small. It is pictured on the map in the directions given below.

It’s best to park a little bit away from the actual house since there is a limited amount of parking space and a steep hill in front of and next to the house. To get inside the home, we rang the doorbell and the hosts kindly guided us upstairs.

Since they were hosting several guests at the time, there was about a 10 minute wait. We asked the owner if we could go out on the patio to enjoy the view. It wasn’t the typical clear and sunny day, but the view was still pleasing.

The entire area was extremely quiet, except for the light chatter and jazz playing from the home, which we couldn’t hear at all outside. Once the signature tables were available, we went back inside and began looking through the menu.

The menu itself is a photo album with menu choices in both Japanese and English. There are several different styles of food ranging from local to Italian, I think it just depends on what they feel like making that day.

We ordered separate menu sets of pork dishes and shared (it’s extremely delicious food). The macha pudding was a very good dessert choice instead of the cake (I still want some). We didn’t stay very long after eating since more local customers were coming in.

Things to consider:

• Please do not bring small children (for obvious reasons)
• Please bring yen
•  Please be courteous and quiet (you are in someone’s personal space)
•  Ask politely (they tend to say yes)

Hours: Saturday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed weekdays.

Phone: 098-982-9850

Address: 925-1 Senaha, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa

Directions:

1. From Kadena Gate 1, turn right on 58, heading north. Continue for 8.5 km
2. After 1.2 km take a slight left.
3. In 350 meters turn right.
4. In 900 meters turn left at the Yomitan Village Office.
5. After 900 meters take your first right onto 12. Continue on 12 until it dead ends into Route 6.
6. Turn right on Route 6, toward the cape. Continue 1.8 km and then turn right.
7. In 110 meters, the restaurant will be on your right.

map downloaded from: zanpatei.com

(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.)

Map Coordinates: 26.430324, 127.730519

Website: http://www.zanpatei.com/

This post was originally published on our sister site, Korea Ye. We are sharing it here in case this information is of interest to you as well.

CONTRIBUTED BY CHRISTINE BRUNS

If your family is anything like mine, worrying about finances – or at least trying to keep things under control while in the military – is a constant effort. With each PCS and all of the costs that are associated with them, carefully watching your debt, savings, and investments is a must. If only it were all as easy as creating loose change seems to be.

No matter your situation – new to the military, large debts, no debts, about to retire – one thing that’s sometimes not easy to do is keep track of all the benefits available to military members and their families. Case in point, my husband has been in the military for over ten years now and we had not realized there was a very important credit reduction benefit we could take advantage of. We were always careful with paying down debt, but life can throw you curveballs and things happen. One phone call to our credit card company has made a world of difference, however, and I just want to share that with all of you, in case it helps even one more family.

The Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides a large range of benefits for active duty military. The part that deals with your credit cards is what I’m going to focus on here. The SCRA limits credit card interest rates on debt incurred prior to active duty service, lowers interest rates on new charges, and reduces or eliminates fees that can be charged to an account, such as international transaction fees or late charges.

If you are active duty, contact your credit card companies and ask them to review your accounts (all of your accounts – sponsor’s and spouse’s) for the SCRA benefits. They will ask for information to confirm military status and it takes a few weeks for the process to be completed.

That all sounds fine and dandy, but what can it translate to? Well, for one, if you had any debt prior to active duty that you’ve been slowly paying off (paying interest on), they will review that amount and you could receive a nice chunk of change back, like we did. It may mean that previously charged fees will be refunded, and lower interest rates will be established. Each credit company has its own policies on refunds and fees within the guidelines of SCRA, so be sure to ask questions about them. And again, this is just one financial benefit out there – I am sure there are more, but I just had to share this one.

If even one thing is changed for the better, it’s worth the time of a phone call. Happy saving!

For the full details and benefits offered under SCRA, see this Military.com article.

CONTRIBUTED BY HANNAH CURTIS

One Sunday, while our family was off on an ‘adventure’, which is the term we use for getting lost, we stumbled across this small, but cute little toy shop ‘Casa Machilda’. Well, I thought it was a toy shop at first, but upon further investigation, discovered it was so much more!

Machilda, which stands for mama, children, daddy and casa (house), is a place for people to come together and play with wooden toys.

The Main Hall, called “Machilda”,  is the wooden toy room; a small open space full of wooden toys for everyone (babies through to elementary age and their parents) to play with and stimulate all five senses. Although I would say my 2 year old probably got a lot more out of it than my 5 year old, who asked to leave after 1.5 hours. Having said that, I did ask her later why she wanted to leave and she said it was because she was hungry.

I didn’t see the “Worm Wood” room, but I believe its smaller than the Machilda room and has KAPLA blocks available to play with.

I have always had a fondness for wooden toys, for exactly the reasons stated in Casa Machilda’s pamphlet: they are long-lasting, ecological, economical, and fantastic!

The pamphlet also goes onto explain that unlike battery powered toys, wooden toys are played with by moving them with one’s own will, raising creativity, concentration and finger skills that will keep children engaged.

Both rooms are available for private reservation (which includes use of the blocks and wooden cars) whether it be for a birthday party or a playgroup.

In a separate room is the toy shop- and its awesome! The majority of the toys are wooden and a good selection are local/Japanese made. My oldest spent ages in here looking around, and the staff was happy to show us how many of the toys worked.

There is a small area for parents to sit and relax with a few magazines (all were in Japanese) as well as children books which all seemed to be in English. Hot and cold drinks are available for purchase.

The staff was very friendly and most seemed to speak a little English.

Another great thing about Casa Machilda is its location on Michigan Street, in the amazing little neighborhood of Minatogawa. This old military base housing has now been turned into cute cafes and shops.

Hours: Only open for private reservations on Monday and Tuesday

Wooden Toy Room (Machilda)

Morning 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Afternoon 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Adults 300 Yen

Children 200 Yen (under 3 months free)

Toy Shop

Wed-Sun 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (you can visit the shop without paying for the toy rooms)

Private Reservations:

Machilda Room 2,600 Yen/Hour

Mon-Tue 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wed-Sun 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Worm Wood Room 1,300 Yen/Hour

Wed-Sun 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Phone:  099-988-0405

Address: 901-2134   2-13-2 Minatogawa No. 46   Urasoe City, Okinawa

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.  (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.)

Map Coordinates: 26.26503, 127.71481749999998

Website: http://casamachilda.ti-da.net/e7136854.html

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

CONTRIBUTED BY EMILY BUREK

Cafe Flamenca Seating

A couple of weeks ago I was driving around when I noticed what appeared to be a small cafe. I could see a case that had a small selection of pastries so I saved the location on my phone because I had to get back to work. A couple of days later I was able to make it back to the quaint Cafe Flamenco Cada Dia.

It seemed like a new place and I was excited to try it. I parallel parked right outside of the front door, which was nice because I didn’t have a lot of time. When I walked in I was greeted by two lovely young women who were eager to help and a small, very well behaved dog! The interior was clean, sleek and modern but still comfortable and relaxing. There was counter seating as well as  some couches and tables. Definitely more room in here than other cafes I’ve been to.

Their menu was very small, consisting of sweets, a few drinks and a quiche or bagel plate. I was going to order a quiche plate but one of the women told me no when I asked for take out. It seems that only baked goods and drinks are available to go.

So I ordered the green smoothie and a small tart that had some delicious looking strawberries on top. I was tempted to take some cookies home, but the tart was big enough to get me though until lunch. The smoothie was creamy and refreshing-not too sweet like some smoothies can be. I was able to watch them make it right behind the counter. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw them cutting up fresh fruit, and the strawberry tart was a perfect snack to go with my smoothie.

For only 1,000 yen, the bagel and the quiche plate looked like they came with a small salad or soup. It seems like a great place for a light lunch or coffee break. I can’t wait to go back to try another smoothie and one of the lunch plates.

Hours:

11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Closed Tuesday

**11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Take-Away only

Phone: 098-989-6270

Payment: Yen only

Address: 3 Chome-17-1 Miyazato  Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture

Directions: From Kadena Gate 2 head straight towards the 330. Turn left at 330. Continue over until you reach 329. Turn right on 329. About two lights down turn left, then the cafe will be on your right.

Map Coordinates: 26.3359583, 127.8112258

Website:  Cafe Flamenco Cada Dia

Special Note: Upon further investigation, it appears they also offer Flamenco lessons after the cafe closes. So Cafe Cada Dia Flamenco is the place to be in Okinawa for Spanish folk music and dance! Who knew!?

CONTRIBUTED BY BOB ROBERTS

We recently stopped at an Okinawan family restaurant called Haebaru Drive In Restaurant. The front of the building proudly proclaims that it was established in 1972. The parking lot has plenty of spaces for customers. It has a big statue of a shishi dog (aka shisa dog) at the front of the parking lot and honestly, it was the main reason we decided to stop there. I figured any place with a giant shishi dog statue has to be worth trying.

Upon entering the restaurant we were offered our choice of a table and chairs or a shorter table on traditional tatami mats. The restaurant is well-lit and has an old fashioned Japanese family restaurant type atmosphere. I didn’t count the tables, but I’m guessing it could seat around 20 families comfortably.

We chose to sit at a taller table because I’m tall and short tables and I have had our differences in the past. By the time we sat down, a waitress had brought water and hot tea for everyone, a second waitress brought over the menus at the same time.

A quick note about the menus: they were in Japanese, but all the food on the menu had a picture directly above it, so there’s no guessing about what you ordered here! The only thing unaccompanied by pictures was the drink selection. In my limited Japanese I asked about the drinks and was told that they had a normal range of coffee, tea and soda. We all decided to stick with the water and tea, but it’s great to have options. The menu is expansive and includes American favorites such as spaghetti and barbecued chicken.

Almost as soon as we had ordered our food, the waitress brought us some surprise bowls of potato soup. When I started eating it, I realized just how much I had wanted a bowl of potato soup, and it really whetted my appetite for the rest of the meal. In addition to being nutritious and delicious, the soup helped make the short wait for the rest of our lunch even shorter.

I wasn’t even close to the bottom of the bowl when my large order of chicken fried rice arrived, it smelled great and tasted exactly the way chicken fried rice should taste.

My wife ordered a tonkatsu/hamburger plate, and was kind enough to share a couple of pieces of the tonkatsu with me. It was very tender and made me wish I had ordered two plates instead of just one.

Our son ordered a bowl of Okinawan soba, but wouldn’t share any with me. I guess I’ll have to take the empty bowl at the end of lunch to mean that it was good as well.

The waitresses were very attentive throughout the meal; filling up both our water and tea glasses several times during our stay. They also offered my wife a to-go box when they realized that she wasn’t going to be able to eat everything that was on her plate.

The prices were reasonable. A large plate of chicken fried rice was less than 700 Yen.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., seven days a week.

Phone: 098-889-4719

Payment: Yen only

Address: 666−1 Miyahira, Haebaru

Directions:

1. Going south on the expressway take exit 1 towards Naha IC.
2. Stay on this road until exit A1 (first exit)
3. Turn right onto 329
4. Drive approximately 1 km
5. Haebaru Drive In Restaurant is on the right.

Google Maps Coordinates: 26.1968324, 127.7315536

On May 1st, the North Island Officers’ Spouses’ Club will be hosting the 4th annual Semper Fi Fund Golf Tournament and Silent Auction Dinner. The tournament and silent auction have had great success in the past and NIOSC is hoping to keep the momentum going!

“The Semper Fi Fund, and its program America’s Fund, provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities.” -SemperFiFund.org

The day starts early with the Scramble at Taiyo Golf Course, where prizes are awarded for 1st-3rd place, closest to the pin and longest drive. Following the tournament, Taiyo offers lunch for everyone that participates.

I’m not a golfer, but have taken part in the tournament the last two years (using rented clubs from Taiyo). Let me just say this: You do not have to have pro-golfer skills to join in on the fun, I can promise you that! NIOSC welcomes any skill level, or lack there-of, to participate for the charity tournament.

That evening, there is a silent auction and dinner at Hotel Moon Beach in Onna. In the past, the auction has been at the Butler O’Club, but the venue has changed so that more people can participate! Local businesses and organizations always have great items up for auction, the menu looks delicious, and dancing in the hotel ballroom overlooking the ocean has been added to this year’s itinerary.

Both events are open to all ranks, SOFA, and non-SOFA personnel. Golf registration forms, tickets for the dinner, and donation information can be found on the NIOSC Charity blog.

This year, there’s a one-night stay at Hotel Moon Beach – Onna, to be redeemed on May 1st, up for grabs if you register and pay for your spot in the golf tournament by April 20th!

I’m also really excited because anyone who purchases a dinner ticket is eligible for a separate overnight stay in a family suite valued at over $500. That winner will be announced at the dinner and can redeem their prize anytime this year (blackout dates apply).

For the most recent information regarding any upcoming NIOSC tournament(s), visit the NIOSC Golf Tournament Facebook page.

CONTRIBUTED BY LIZ MCGINNIS

Café Mofgmona is a hidden gem in Ginowan. My husband and I decided to search for a new lunch place. We were feeling adventurous and decided to drive around. We came across this quaint café just before opening time but decided to walk around until it opened at 11:30am. I am so glad that we decided to wait because it was truly a great find.

The café opened promptly at 11:30am. The menus are only in Japanese and neither the lady nor the gentleman working there spoke English. That did not deter us. The lady brought a board to our table with 4 lunch items listed on it in Japanese. I randomly chose number 2, while my husband chose number 1. The meals come in sets with rice and tea. There were 2 options for the rice and I just pointed to one and selected the hot tea. We also decided to add a dessert to our set for an extra 300 yen.

Not long after our order was placed, a bowl of soup arrived at our table. It was hot, creamy and delicious! It tasted like pumpkin soup. Our soups were served in handmade pottery bowls that are sold there at the café. Just as our empty soup bowls were taken away, the gentleman came to our table with our main dishes. My husband’s dish came with a bed or rice, crisp salad, vegetables and chicken. He was also served a beef and cabbage broth. My dish was similar except that it did not include the chicken or beef broth, so it appeared that I had ordered the vegetarian option.

The food was amazing! We ate everything on our plates. After our meal, our hot teas arrived in the beautiful handmade pottery mugs and soon after our desserts also arrived. My husband had ordered a sponge cake and I had ordered a chocolate cake. It was pretty exciting not knowing what to expect but even more exciting when we discovered that the food was so delicious!

We will definitely be going back to Café Mofgmona and would like to try their dinner menu next. If their lunch menu is any indication to what we can expect, we will be sure to enjoy dinner there as well. We learned that we shouldn’t be afraid to try new places, even if there aren’t English menus available. We were pleasantly surprised by our experience!

The Café is quaint and filled with antique furniture, their handmade pottery and lots of interesting books. The cool doorknob is a water faucet. Located upstairs on the third floor of the building, is the pottery shop (Mofgmona No Zakka). The stairwell is located on the outside to the right of the café’s door.

The shop’s hours differ from the cafe. The restaurant is open Fri-Sun from 2:00pm to 8:00pm.

Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 (Lunch)  Monday to Friday 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Cafe Hours/Dinner)

Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m., Sunday 3:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Closed Tuesday for Cafe/Dinner

Phone: 098-893-7303

Payment: Yen only

Address: 2 Chome-1-29 Ginowan, Ginowan-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-2211

Directions: 

• From the Foster Legion Gate, take a right onto 330.
• As 330 turns to 81, take a left to continue on 330.
• Go about 2.4 miles. You will come to an intersection where 330 and 32 meet.
• Make a slight right at this intersection.
• Café Mofgmona will be on your right hand side. Just a few feet from there, you will find the parking lot for the café.

Map Coordinates: 26.2627319, 127.76024230000007

Website: http://mofgmona.com/

CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE CAMINA

Some of the best advice I can give to those that love finding free activities to do and who enjoy the great outdoors, is to be on the lookout for signs posted around the island indicating a dam in the vicinity. Nine times out of ten, these dams have incorporated parks within their areas for the public to enjoy. These parks are usually well maintained and some of the most spacious you can find on island. In fact, you may already be familiar with Kanna Dam, Kin Dam, Kurashiki Dam, Haneji Dam, Fukuji Dam, and Kinjo Dam.

Taiho Dam happens to not only be one of the newest additions to Okinawa’s extensive dam and reservoir system, but it is also the second tallest dam on island (second only to Higashi’s Fukuji Dam). And yeah—you guessed it, Taiho Dam has a park!

The park area is riddled with walking trails, picnic areas and scenic lookout points throughout. However, its most impressive feature is a charming pond in front of the Bunagaya House, complete with mini waterfalls, stepping stones and soft rubberized steps leading down to the water’s edge. Like the recreational water areas of Kurashiki and Haneji dams, Taiho Dam’s pond seems to allow for wading in certain spots. But as tempting as you may find the thought of sliding down the pond’s two double slide-like structures, I would caution visitors not to do so. Apart from signs posted near the slides marking them as dangerous (abunai!), slick rust-colored algae grows on their surfaces as well. This biofilm is what makes the slides precarious, and is generally not something you would want on you or your clothing. Therefore, I would advise sticking to the wading areas directly above and below these two structures.

Inside the Bunagaya House is a mini museum to enjoy. Visitors swap their shoes out for slippers just inside the entrance of this building and enter the museum from the first door on the left. The museum showcases mini exhibits regarding local wildlife, native trees and even includes a small scale model of Ogimi-son. Though the museum’s staff is non-English speaking, they do their best to answer your questions via a translation app on their smartphones. To say their customer service goes above and beyond almost anything our family has so far experienced on island (and that says a lot!) is probably an understatement if there ever was.

During our visit we asked questions about Ogimi’s abandoned Shah Bay Resort Hotel (we spied it on the museum’s small scale model map.) and Motoko-san, one of the tour guides, offered to have us jump in her car and drove us to the Shah Bay Mutabaru Observatory herself. She answered our questions as best as she could and even gave us a mini tour of Oshikawa (an area of Ogimi famous for its shikuwasa and kugani orchards). It was amazing! Though I can’t vouch that giving visitors free tours of Ogimi is the norm, I want to reassure anyone who visits Taiho Dam that the Bunagaya House staff are extraordinarily helpful.

I encourage you to stop off at the 100¥ store to purchase bug nets and a shiiku case (the vented plastic container Japanese children keep pet stag beetles and hermit crabs in); pack a picnic; bring yen for ice-cold Dydo machine drinks; and toss a few beach towels in the trunk of the car for a memorable day at Taiho Dam Park.

Admission: Free

Hours: 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Where: 1357-18 Taiho, Ogimi-son, Okinawa-ken, Japan

Map Coordinates: 26.6496012, 128.1254619

Directions:

• Take the Okinawa Expressway north and get off on the 10 Toll Exit. Continue to travel north through and past Nago along Route 58.
• You should eventually see a blue billboard for Taiho Dam directing you to turn right
• Turn right onto Highway 9 towards Higashi and follow this road through two tunnels.
• Be on the lookout for a Gazebo rest area on the left and make a left immediately after this. The road you come upon is Route 331.
• Turn right and follow the signs along the way directing you to the dam. Eventually you will come to a white billboard prominently pointing towards Taiho Dam.
• Turn left. The Taiho Dam Branch entrance takes you to the Bunagaya House museum, pond, and main picnic areas. The Taiho Main Dam entrance takes you across the dam’s spillway wall and up towards another gazebo picnic spot. Sunsets are absolutely spectacular from this particular observation point.

Additional Notes: Ishiyama Observatory, Shah Bay Mutabaru Observatory, Yamashishigaki Mutabaru Trail, and Igimihakinzo Park are within the general area of the dam if you bother to pay attention to the road signs along the way. You may choose to stop off for a late afternoon lunch at nearby Canaan Slow Farm in Higashi-son where Fukuji Dam and the Higashi Village Museum may be found just up the road as well.