okinawa hai!

Baratier

CONTRIBUTED BY JENNIFER MARTIN Baratier Front Finding a multi-cultural restaurant in Okinawa isn’t difficult—however, finding a restaurant that pleases all members of my family is quite a nightmare. At last, our exhaustive search is over. Baratier isn’t just the solution: it is my new go-to eatery. It is my I-want-to-eat-every-meal-there kind of restaurant because it [...]

Out of the Archives: Satsubun, or Tossing Perfectly Good Soybeans

This post was originally published on February 3, 2008. We're pulling it out of the archives for you to enjoy. Satsubun, while not a national holiday, is always celebrated on February 3rd, which is next Friday. This gives you some time to go buy some edamame, an ogre mask, and get to throwing! You may [...]

Out of The Archives: Sunflower Festival

This post was originally published on February 16, 2011. We're pulling it out of the archives so that all of you may have the opportunity (weather-permitting!) to attend this year's festival, which will be running through February 5th this year. CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN PARKER Sunflowers make the world a brighter place – and the sunflower [...]

Music Together Trumpetfish

CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTY WELLS Music Class Six months ago I found an ad on the Okinawa Yard Sales website with information regarding a new music class available on the island. Lauren Baskins had recently moved here and brought with her the amazing learning experience called Music Together. Music Together is a music and movement class [...]

Nanta and Miso in Korea

CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES Nana Dressed Nana Miso Cover Heading to Korea anytime soon? If you are, make it a point to watch Miso and Nanta. When I took a trip to Seoul, Korea recently, I knew I had to watch some shows that I would usually skip if the kids were with me. I [...]

Kimigayo: Japanese National Anthem

CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FORTE “Kimigayo,” (君が代) the Japanese National Anthem, is a song almost all of us hear daily. At military events and at the end of the day, the “Star Spangled Banner” follows “Kimigayo.” I remember the first time I heard it here on Okinawa. I’m sure I had heard it played before, but [...]

Bokunen Art Museum

Bokunen Exterior 2 CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN SCHALK For me, moving to Okinawa has been, for a variety of reasons, both a wonderful opportunity as well as a tremendous challenge. I have studied and loved art for many years and left behind a support group of fellow artists in the states. “Art doesn’t happen in a [...]

Skip Kid’s Clothing

CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FILLMAN Skip Front I am pregnant with my first child, and was very excited when I stumbled upon this store, Skip. It's right in American Village and I couldn't believe I'd never been inside before. When I walked in, the first thing I saw was a toddler size t-shirt with a huge [...]

Mihama Kid’s Park

CONTRIBUTED BY CLAIRE BRAY-COLLINS Mihama Front Tot and I love a good quarter mile roller slide over a freeway, like the one at Urasoe Park, a not-so-miniature “Navy S.E.A.L.’s” training site or a hair-raising ride on a “tilt-and-hurl” spinner like those at the Okinawa Convention Center, or even a vaguely supported free fall down those [...]

RIZE Rooftop Terrace Restaurant

CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN (additional photos by Angi Brzycki) Rize View (photo by Angi) RIZE Rooftop Terrace Restaurant has only been open since December, but I’ve already declared it my favourite place to eat in Okinawa and a must-try dining experience for all. Located in a former penthouse apartment on Kokusai-dori, RIZE has an amazing [...]