Okinawa Blog

NAHA -- Naha Airport will open its second runway on March 26, 2020, making it the sixth airport in Japan with more than two runways. The runway is 2700 meters in length and 66 meters in width. The expansion of the airport of the new runway touted a new control tower. The tower stands at a height of 88 meters, making it the second tallest air control tower in Japan, next to Haneda Airport. Construction of the new runway began in 2014—taking nearly six years to complete—costing ¥207.4...

As you go into a supermarket from the end of February to the beginning of March, you see a lot of pretty pink colored snacks being sold. They often come in a bag with a drawing of two people. These are called ‘hina-ningyo’ or ‘hina dolls’ which are observed for the doll festival that is for girls, celebrated in Japan every March 3rd. In Japan, families with a daughter(s) display a set of beautiful hina dolls on a tier of five or seven shelves to celebrate and pray for their healthy...

It doesn't matter which side of the world that you came from to get to Okinawa, loving to watch movies is something that most of us have in common. I know some people love to watch TV in their homes in a totally comfortable atmosphere. However, I believe a lot would still rather go to the theater where they can watch it on a huge screen, emersed in the action. "But the movies are so expensive!" That's the first thing that comes to my mind, especially when our kids nag us to take them to...

If you have one or more children that constantly need your attention, and especially if their ages are apart, you might have been exhausted every single day trying to figure out what could tire them out. But that was till yesterday! I always wished that there had been a place that could satisfy both of my kids, having two children whose ages are 8 years apart myself. So today, I am introducing you to this amazing park located very south. It's in Itoman, Okinawa, but worth the drive: Peace...

Looking for the official timeline of COVID-19 infections in Okinawa instead? → NAHA -- The first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has appeared in Okinawa. On February 14, 2020, Okinawa Prefecture confirmed that a female taxi driver in her late 60s living in the prefecture was infected. This is the first confirmation of the virus appearing in Okinawa. The taxi driver guided passengers who had disembarked the Diamond Princess—the cruise ship that has 174 known cases to...

Naha Police in Okinawa Prefecture has arrested a United States Marine Corps Corporal stationed at Camp Hansen for allegedly stealing a bicycle parked on the sidewalk in the Asahimachi District of Naha City. The arrest of the alleged suspect took place on January 19, 2020, around 1645. It was dialed into 110 and reported by a witness at the time. The bike is said to have a current market value of 15,000 yen and belongs to a part-time worker. The alleged suspect was under the influence of...

Here's a quick question for you to answer: Have you ever heard of or tried monjayaki before? If the answer to that was no, then this is a must-read for you! While sushi is known to be the most famous Japanese food, monjayaki—often called monja—has become very popular amongst tourists recently. Once you try it, you'll find out how flavorful and fun it is as it can be cooked at your own table! Monjayaki is often compared to okonomiyaki. However, there is a distinct difference between the...

If you've spent any time on social media, you've no doubt seen people posing with ornate or colorful mural wings. The Global Angel Wings Project was created in 2012 "to remind humanity we are the angels of this Earth." Founder Colette Miller has painted wings all over the world since the project inception. Okinawa is, fortunately, one of the locations as of 2017! Ms. Millers' artwork is found in American Village, on the 3rd floor of the Depot Island Building. They are on a balcony to the...

When the last day of the year comes in Okinawa, many get ready to celebrate for the new year in various ways. Some may prepare to attend the Mabuni Fire and Bell Festival to wish for peace, others stay home and watch telecasts of countdowns in Tokyo or go out and celebrate with friends and family, and some may even go to bed early, to possibly attend the first sunrise in Okinawa at Nakagusuku Castle. However, there's one customary tradition that most Okinawans don't forget to do: It's to...

This article applies to those who work on base and are unable to see a doctor due to priority levels but is intended more for expats. So, either way, don't totally dismiss this important information about medical care off base as you may have a family member visit that needs medical treatment (medicine specifically). All doctors aren't created equal in Japan, this most likely applies to ones in the States as well as around the world too. That is most likely why you often hear the phrase...