I used to go to the bull fights in Ishikawa with my father in-law (not like the Spanish ones, these are more like bull sumo wrestling and they don't force the bulls to fight so some rounds get cancelled if the bulls just aren't interested or if a bull gets injured). Don't know if they still do this, but foreigners get discounted tickets.Neo Park up in Nago is a pretty neat zoo of sorts where the many animals are out in the open for you to get close to and feed.If you're in to live music, you're in for a treat. Okinawa has a lively music scene with some amazing local talent. Human Stage in Ginowan often has some great bands playing.A favorite thing of mine to do every couple years was take my bicycle on a ferry to Yoron (the ferry is an experience itself - it's huge and has a restaurant and arcade machines and stuff) for a weekend in the fall and just ride around during the off season. If you thought Okinawans were friendly, the people of Yoron take it to another level. It's a small island about 20 miles north of Okinawa with a single stoplight and perfect for cycling.The aquarium up north is pretty awesome.
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Just go.Further north right by Hedo Point (which is worth checking out) is Daisekirinzan. There are some nice easy trails up there (some are suitable for strollers, others not so much) with some beautiful scenic views.Lots of waterfalls to check out too.
CONTRIBUTED BY KATIE CLARY When I lived in Okinawa as a kid, I thought that Sushi-go-Round restaurants were the coolest thing in the world. What an inventive idea! I love being able to see my food before I choose it, and sushi is already one of my favorite foods. Coming back to Okinawa as an.
Taa-taki is my favorite and it's a river trek to get to. It's become quite popular in recent years though so weekends always have a bunch of people up there acting like fools and being loud, but it's a little quieter during the week.
First time I went up there several years ago (maybe 8 years ago), we mostly had the place to ourselves. Now it's hard to find a spot to park sometimes. Still absolutely worth checking out though.In the first couple weeks of February, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom.
Mt Yaedake in Motobu is a great place to go. They have a festival and tons of trees lining the road all the way to the top of the mountain. Nago also has some festivities.As for food, yeah, there's Coco's and other places heavily frequented by Americans which are good, but there is soooo much more on the island. There are hole in the wall mom-and-pop restaurants all over the place in some of the most unlikely places you'd think of. In Ginowan is great for tacos (they have a fairly unique taco shell I really like) and King Tacos (all over the island) is also great for tacos and taco rice. Karubi Daioh is one of my favorite places for yakiniku. I could give you a long list of places, but take a look at for pretty much every place that serves food and check out those places that are off the beaten path.
Preface: Okinawa is not a deployment. Sorry, somebody had to say it.Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I’m assuming you won’t have a license because you’re not permanently stationed there. Get used to the green line but for heaven’s sake, learn the actual Japanese bus schedule. There are stops everywhere and you can see so much of the island that way.Use MCCS to get around. They’re a group of predatory criminals that leech off of the junior enlisted personnel but they serve their purpose. Go on the tours that they offer.Get your dive certification there but don’t buy a bunch of gear that you won’t be able to take home.
Mask, fins, boots, and snorkel are all you need. Rent the rest. It’s so cheap to get certified there that you’re actually losing money if you don’t do it while you’re there.
Your PADI certification is good for life so if you want to dive somewhere else when you’re older you’ll just need to remember where your card is or order a new one. The instructors are hit or miss but if you are lucky enough to get a guy named Roger D., he’s by far the best instructor there is.3-12, Ikehara 3-ChōmeOkinawa, OkinawaJapan 904-2141That address is for the best sushi go round on Okinawa. It’s close to Camp Courtney and McTureous. I have never and will never have better Salmon Sashimi in my life.Coco’s is awesome. Go a few times and don’t be afraid to try some off the wall shit. Don’t forget you can order two types of main orders in your curry if you’re a fatass like me.If you can swing it, find the Okinawa history museum.
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It’s on Camp Kinser and the tour has to be coordinated because it’s not an open museum. Google it, contact the curator and set up a PME if you’re in a position to do so. If not, get someone who is and give them all the information to get it done.Naha is cool.
Go into some antique stores and get something cool. Google “tanuki” and then get a statue of one.Do some deep sea fishing. Salty Rod’s has a Facebook page but you’ll need someone with a car to get everything going.Don’t get drunk and do something you’ll regret. Okinawa has a lot of bullshit because of its strategic importance due to the geographical location in the pacific. There is an ongoing PR battle with various other countries who don’t want us there because it increases our military presence in Asia.
Don’t give them any ammunition to get protesters riled up. Eventually they’ll have enough and kick us out anyway, but speeding up the process won’t be good for anyone.
Visit some farms and eat/drink some fresh produce.Visit small villages and check out th local crafts and food.All you can drink karaoke is a favourite and pretty cheap in Okinawa.Make friends with the locals and get them to show you some lesser known spots.Go to the beach (obviously)Drink with some Ojii san.Shikwasa factory in Oogimi (I think)Visit some waterfalls and swim in the fresh water.Go to any festivals that are on during your stay and wear jinbei or Yukata.Factory tours. (I especially like the orion beer factory due to the free beer at the end;) )Walk around.
Okinawa's climate is subtropical, with temperatures barely falling below 15 degrees in winter. The seas surrounding Okinawa's islands are considered among the world's most beautiful with coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife. Consequently, snorkeling and scuba diving are among Okinawa's top attractions.The islands making up Okinawa Prefecture, are also known as the Ryukyu Islands, named after the native culture, which is distinctly different from that of the rest of Japan in terms of language, cuisine, arts, etc.An independent kingdom and tributary state to China for several centuries, the Ryukyu Islands came under control of the Satsuma feudal fief (today's ) in the 17th century, and were made a Japanese prefecture in 1879, accompanied by efforts to assimilate the native population. But despite these past efforts, the Ryukyuan culture survived and is now Okinawa's other main attraction.Towards the end of, Okinawa became the stage of one of the war's bloodiest battles, when American troops invaded the islands. Okinawa remained under US administration until 1972, while several thousands of US military members remain stationed on the spacious and controversial US military bases on Okinawa Main Island today. Top destinations in Okinawa.
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March 2023
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