Karaoke in Okinawa: The Prince & Joy/The Box

CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FORTE

Karaoke Trivia:

•    Karaoke (カラオケ) is a blend of Japanese kara (空) "empty," and ōkesutora (オーケストラ) "orchestra."

•    Although there is some debate about who invented karaoke, it is generally accepted that it was invented in Japan in the 1970s. Sadly, it was not patented by the inventor who consequently lost out on a great fortune. 

•    In 2003 a Chinese automaker released a car called Beauty Leopard that came equipped with a karaoke machine. After spending time in Asia, a car named “Beauty Leopard” is not the surprising part of this fact. 

•    Many karaoke singers have one song which they are especially good at and which they use to show off their singing abilities. In Japan, this is called jūhachiban (十八番). 

•    In July 2007, the nation of North Korea issued an edict banning karaoke bars from operating in the country. The Ministry of Security officially stated that the ban was enacted to "crush enemy scheming and to squarely confront those who threaten the maintenance of the socialist system."

In North America and Europe karaoke bars usually feature one loud speaker system, one or two microphones and one song at a time. Everyone in the bar can hear the singer whether it is your best friend or a stranger. In Asia the typical format is the karaoke box. The building is broken up into many smaller rooms. Your group can rent the room for a set amount of time. 

Each way has its pros and cons and I know people who prefer either the “bar” or “box” style. I find the bar style more intimidating. What if I remember the refrain to a song, but stumble on the verses? What will these strangers think? There is also the distinct danger that someone with limited singing skills gets a hold of the mic and you are stuck. This can be amusing if you know the person. Not so much with a stranger. I know others that prefer the anonymity and variety that the bar style offers. 

 

Okinawa offers both styles. While there are countless places to karaoke on this island, here are the two with which I’m most familiar:

The Prince falls into the bar style of karaoke. There is no charge to enter, no charge to sit and listen. Find a book of songs, page through until you find your favorite, write the number on the slips of paper and turn it in to the bar where you order your drinks. The Prince is located on the south side of Gate 2 Street outside Kadena. It is on the second floor a few blocks from base. 

Joy or The Box falls under the second style of karaoke. Like many things in Okinawa, it has more than one name depending on with whom you are talking. Joy is the translated name. “Box” is the only word besides “Karaoke” in English on the outside of the building. When you come in there is a small counter where you can reserve a room based on how many people you have. You pay a rental fee for the room and you may choose an “all you can drink” option from a limited alcohol and non-alcohol menu. There is also an al a carte food menu featuring everything from fish and French fries to taco rice and ice cream. There are phones in each room to call in your orders and the staff will bring the items to your room. Each room has its own karaoke system which is all in Japanese, but is pretty simple to operate. There are both English and Japanese books of songs. Each room also has its own cooling system. We’ve even enjoyed a room featuring two tambourines!  Towards the end of your time, the staff will call your room with a five or ten minute warning. They may also ask if you want to extend your time.

The Box/Joy is located directly across from Kadena’s Gate 1. The building is right behind Johnny’s Used Cars. Above the door are some miniature light-up buildings. The inside of the building is painted to look like you are outside in an Italian village. Each “building” in this village is a karaoke room. 

The small room at The Box/Joy holds 2-8 people and is ¥800 per hour; medium holds 9-14 and costs ¥1,200 per hour; large holds 15-24 and costs ¥1,800 per hour; and the largest room holds 25 - 50 and costs ¥3,000 per hour. The all you can drink option is ¥650 per person. They take yen, dollars and credit cards. If you would like to call to reserve a room the number is 926-3777. We have reserved on weekend nights for large groups, but have also walked in on other occasions without a problem. It opens at 8:00 P.M. and does not have a posted close time!

Take your pick of styles, but can you really live in the land where the “empty orchestra” was invented and not give it a try? No matter which way you decide to get your karaoke on I hope you enjoy the Japanese style videos that play behind the words! Celebrate your freedom to karaoke and find your personal jūhachiban!

Eager Beaver Sports Bar

CONTRIBUTED BY BRYAN WINZER

Don’t ya know you should head down to the Eager Beaver and get your Canadian on?  Sounds good, eh?! The Eager Beaver is a fun Canadian themed sports bar in Naha.  The bar opened about a year ago and is owned by the same person who runs Rehab.  Unlike Rehab, however, The Eager Beaver has a homey feel and practically begs to be a place where everyone knows your name. 

It’s low-key atmosphere leads to good conversations, enjoying the sports event on the televisions, or accepting a challenge to darts or foosball.  They have plenty of Canadian-esque decorations, including a real stuffed beaver and First Nation inspired designs.  

What you might not expect from a sports bar, though, is some great food. Their menu offers solid selection of food that could easily serve as a meal. I highly recommend the French Canadian poutines.  Saying that those are French fries coated in cheese and gravy hardly does their decadence justice.   Not yet on their website menu is a Mediterranean chicken dish with yogurt and pita, which quickly vanished from our table.  Of course, they also have some killer hot wings – a must for any sport event.     

Beyond food, they have a variety of imported beers and whiskeys that can cleanse your palate of Orion in no time (no offense to our local brew!).  Also, a plus in my book, is that the bar is usually smoke-free, with a smoking area and tables outside (occasionally the owner will make exceptions: for example, during the World Cup games or during opening night).

Directions:  Again, their website is super helpful. With an English map.  The bar is very close to Makishi station near Kokusaidori. Parking in this area can be a little difficult and usually requires payment.  

Hours:  Opens at 7:00 pm.  

Photos by Shu Lan Tang

Porky's Live Bar

CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON

Walking around Okinawa City one night, my husband and I wandered into Porky’s. We expected a 50s theme bar, and we were not disappointed.  The small space is decorated like a retro soda fountain with red checkered tablecloths and 50s paraphernalia on the walls. Servers wear baggy mechanics uniforms. Think “Greased Lightening.”  

 

But Porky’s is more than just burgers, fries, and beer. They offer unique musical entertainment on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

On Wednesday and Saturday nights, a lively Oldies band in costume sings American hits from the 50s and 60s. On Sunday nights, a different group plays favorite music from the 80s. The bands perform several sets about 30 minutes each starting at 10:00 pm, 11:30, and we assume 12:30. (We left at midnight, but the place showed no signs of slowing down). Between sets, the musicians come out into the bar and interact with patrons, taking photos and having conversations. 

The band was really entertaining, and it was fun listening to Japanese singers take on American classics. Revving up the crowd, the big hit of the night was their rendition of the Elvis classic, Blue Suede Shoes.

When we arrived at 10 pm, the bar was empty except for a few patrons. However, it quickly filled and was jamming by midnight. There is a small area at the front for dancing and a quite a few people were cutting a rug by the time we left. If you’re looking for an offbeat outing one weekend in Okinawa, check out Porky’s Live Bar.

Cost: 1,000 per person to watch the show plus drinks and food. Drinks started at 650 yen. We didn’t order food, but the plates of burgers, salads, and pizzas passing by us looked great.  They accept yen only.

Hours: 9 pm to 3 or 4 am. First show at 10:00 pm

Directions: Take a left turn out Sgt Major gate on Camp Foster (where Westpac is) and keep going downhill. Turn left at the 329 intersection and go straight. You’ll pass Living Design Square on your right as well as Comprehensive Park. You’ll come to a big intersection with McDonalds on the right side and Hotto Motto on the left. Turn right at that intersection and go straight to the end of the street. You’ll pass the Toys R Us shopping center and an organic market on the right. At the end, turn left. You’ll see a Family Mart on the corner. Porky’s is in the building next to the Family Mart. There is limited parking in front of the bar.

En Okinawa

CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES

Just when we were about ready to give up looking for this place, we see a corner restaurant with the words “en Okinawa.”  We parked excitedly and started out of the car and practically by the time we set foot on the ground, we were greeted by a man holding a small notepad.  He welcomed us and asked if we had reservations.  I told him we did and followed him in.  (By the end of the night, I realized that the only people they would really seat that night were the people who made reservations unless they wanted to sit at the bar.  Maybe this is only true when the show “Zampa” Live Drum Performance happens.)  

The first thing we see as we enter is this huge taiko drum made from a single piece of wood -- a tree that was about 400 years old.  We were seated immediately and served glasses of water and a Japanese welcoming appetizer—tofu, shitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, syrupy miso, topped with wasabi.  

We opted to get everything ala carte instead of the typical sets that we usually get at Japanese restaurants.  We ordered the local Okinawan vegetable salad, grilled salmon with butter and soy, deep fried chicken with sauce, stir fried thin noodles with tuna flakes, prawns with garlic pepper sauce, and lots of rice.  As we waited for our food, the kids were allowed to play with the drums.  When the food arrived, we were dazzled.  Everything was artistically prepared and just delightfully delicious.  

 

 

And when dinner was done, the show started, right at 8:30pm.  There was a thundering of drums that made my heart pound—hard!  There was an underlying beat while the other two performers had their own beats going on.  The three performers all had a chance to shine with their solos.  It was just amazing! There was a part where they drummed extremely fast, back and forth, back and forth, left to right…  just amazing.

Then the flute played and in came the shishi-mai.  I must say, this was the best performance I have ever seen by a shishi-mai.  It went everywhere -- in the main stage area, in the back-rooms, in the upper rooms -- it made a point to be seen by everyone. Its acrobatics and mannerisms were so much like a dog’s or lion’s.  We learned after the show that this group has travelled all over the world sharing their gift of Taiko drumming.

 

Service was exceptional, food was great, and the place a beauty.  Our family left semi-speechless.  My 4-year old kept talking about the yummy food, the drums and the lion, and even the bathrooms (which were beautiful).

When we left, we were told that the show was being moved to Sunday nights and we were given 4 coupons for free Orion beer.  We don’t drink beer, but I’m sure we’ll be back!  Make sure you RSVP a week or two in advance if you want to see the show after dinner.  We made a reservation for 7:00 for our family and that was enough time to order and not rush through dinner before the show started.  

Telephone:  098-941-7588

Address:  1-20-9. Uenoya, Naha City, Okinawa 900-0011

Hours:  Lunch 12 pm-3 pm (last order 2:30),  Dinner 6 pm-midnight (last order 11:30), “Zampa” Live Drum Performance - Sundays 8:30 PM

Website: www.en-okinawa.com

Double Decker Cafe Bar

CONTRIBUTED BY KATHERINE MOORE

 

Do you miss going to a restaurant where you know exactly what you are ordering and/or getting?  If so, Double Decker Café bar is perfect for you.  They have a fun environment and have almost anything that you can think of.

 

I found out about Double Decker from a Japanese café guide.  The restaurant is located in American Village, part of the Seaside Bowl Mihama.  They have the regular restaurant dining style with two levels, and the bus as dining area also with two levels.  It is very interesting since you feel like you are riding on a bus, but dining in at the same time.   

 

They serve appetizer, salad, rice omelet, rice casserole, rice bowl, pasta, pizza, rib steak, fish and chips, chicken nuggets, hamburger, wings, desserts, and a wide variety of drinks (alcohol and non alcohol).  Their alcohol beverages are all 500yen on Wednesdays from 5:00pm.  They also have magic shows on Wednesdays from 8:00pm to 10:00pm.

I ordered their Seafood with Tomato Sauce Pasta, and my husband ordered the Curry Rice Omelet.  Both were really good.  Our 2 year-old daughter ate most my pasta.  I guess she really liked it.  They have friendly staff, and an American-friendly menu.  Food prices are not too bad.  They have their own parking lot, which is really nice being located in American Village.

Hours:  The restaurant is open all week from 11:30am to 2:00am.  I guess it becomes a bar at night.  

Payment:  They take all major credit cards (Visa, Master, American Express), yen, and dollars.

Phone:   098-926-1991.

Directions:  From Kadena Gate 1, turn left on 58 towards America Village.  After passing A&W, turn right on the next light where Terrace Garden Mihama Resort is.  Turn right on the second light where the Depot building is.  Turn left on the narrow street behind Make Man (home center with a monkey on their orange sign).  There is a sign for Double Decker on this narrow street.  You will see the red bus on your left side.  They only have about 4 parking spots (clearly marked for the customers only), so if they don’t have any available spot, keep driving and turn left on the first alley after you passed the red bus.  This will connect you to the Seaside Bowl Mihama parking lot.  Park there and access the restaurant from the Seaside Mihama Bowl by following dog’s paw prints on the ground.

Click on the small photos for a pop-out of the menu and a map.

   

Bamboo Cafe

CONTRIBUTED BY JESSICA ZENTENO

Sounds of reggae music, the smell of jerk chicken and a bright red awning make Bamboo Café hard to miss as you go down BC Street.  My husband and I go there all the time because it is delicious and the prices are great!

The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere and serves Caribbean/Jamaican food, along with many other items.  I highly recommend the jerk chicken sandwich (comes with french fries) which I usually get.  My husband gets the jerk chicken dinner (comes with rice and a salad).  But there is much else to choose from: jerk chicken wings, shrimp cocktail, spring rolls, coconut chicken soup, fried rice, sea food salad, and so much more. 

Their calamari is the best I have ever had – big and juicy!! And they have a great drink selection. I get the mango juice, and friends of mine have had their alcoholic beverages and said they were great! 

The prices for the food are very fair. We spend on average about 1800 yen for a jerk chicken dinner, jerk chicken sandwich and a mango juice. The calamari is about 500 yen. Mango juice is fairly priced at 350 yen – it is good and well worth the price. Nothing is really over 1000 yen and even the alcoholic beverages are reasonable, starting at about 500 yen.

Directions:  Restaurant is at the beginning of BC Street.  Coming out of Gate 2 Kadena, turn left at the big intersection where Koza Music is (330).  Take the next left (BC Street).  Bamboo Café will be on your right – look for the red awning. If one continues to drive past Bamboo Café they will see a parking lot which closes at midnight.  Bamboo Cafe will give you a parking pass so parking is free!!! 

Hours:  Open Tuesday-Friday 17:00 until 24:00 and Saturday and Sunday 15:00 - 24:00. Closed Mondays.

Phone: 098 934 5471, Email:  bamboocafe@space.ocn.ne.jp

Côte D’or Wine Selection Store

 
If you’re a wine lover, head down to Côte D’or Wine Selection Store.  Open for just over a year, Côte D’or offers wines from Australia, California, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, and Japan.
This Japanese wine called Sai Sai koshu is produced using a thousand year recipe.

 

There are also several wines from the Nagano area.  If you are looking for a specific flavor, ask one of the expert sommeliers.
Côte D’or carries an extensive selection of champagne for that special occasion.  There is a chiller offering sake and awamori, and even some fine cheeses.  Côte D’or also has a small variety of Port, Sherry, and liquors.

 
Best of all, Côte D’or hosts wine tastings every Sunday between 2 and 7 pm - no reservation necessary.  Prices vary according to the wine tasted.

If you make a purchase, Côte D’or will give you a point card where you earn ¥1,000 discount for every ¥10,000 purchased.  Wines start at ¥800, although most seemed to be in the ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 price range.

Directions: Route 58 heading south towards Naha. From Camp Kinser's main gate/gate one, go 1.5km and turn left at light (Ameku intersection). Turn right at the fourth stop light just after the Shoe Plaza, approximately 1.5km from 58.  Go approximately .1km and turn right into the parking lot.  Côte D’or is on the left side of this strip mall.  If you pass the Okinawa Kaiho, you've gone too far.

Phone: 098-869-2047

Hours: Daily 1100 - 2100 except Japanese holidays

Website: www.cotedor-okinawa.net

Payment: Yen, credit card

Cheers!! Cheese Shop

 
Are you a foodie who loves cheese?  A warmed camembert spread over crusty French bread, a homemade batch of emmental and gruyere fondue, or perhaps a taste of something local?  Cheers!! is the place to find all three.

Cheers!! offers both the well-known varieties of cheese including parmesan, gouda, brie, camembert, blue, boursin, havarti, and fresh mozzarella, plus a few new to me, such as caciocavallo, red cheddar, samsoe (recommended for fondue), Stilton (and other strong smelling cheeses), and a creamy Dutch variety with wasabi that compliments beer. 
Special offerings include cream cheese from Ishigashi Island in leek, black pepper, parsley and garlic, rum raisin and hot chile flavors.

Not to be missed is the kanyuuso, a caramel-colored, smooth yet sweet tasting cheese that simply melts in your mouth – do not leave the store without trying it! 
There is also a small selection of caviar, prosciutto and salami, “American-style” cream cheese in honey and nut, mixed berry and plain flavors.  Olives, oils, vinegar, jams, dried fruit and meat, and crackers from Europe and Asia fill the rest of the shop.
  If you enjoy a drink with your cheese, visit sister café and bar called Tingara on the fifth floor.

Hours: Cheers!! 1100 - 2200 daily. Tingara 1400 - 1800 (cafe time), 1900 - 2300 (bar time). Both closed Tuesdays

Telephone: Cheers!! 098-862-8942, Tingara 098-862-2858

Directions: Route 58 heading south towards Naha. From Camp Kinser's main gate/gate one, go 1.5km and turn left at light (Ameku intersection). Turn left at the fourth light (Shintoshin Park intersection) - approximately 1.3km).  Cheers!! is .3km on left side of road.  There is a Max Value across the street.  Parking is in front of the store.

Uroko's and Fujiyama's - A Study of Contrasts

Today, I'm sharing one of the Seawall's best kept secrets. Okay, it's not that well-kept, but it is one of my favorite evening rendezvous spots. Uroko Cafe.


Uroko's is just next door to the ever popular Transit Cafe (another fantastic place to get a great meal and cocktails). Uroko's is a bit more hidden, totally worth checking out. You will be greeted warmly by Katsumi, one of the owners. She is so warm and welcoming, and very graciously allows me practice my Japanese with her. The vibe is white-walled, Southwestern, complete with dream catchers and steer-skulls. Beta fish hang in glass bowls from the ceiling and swim beneath the glass outdoor table tops. They serve a mean pizza - the crust is actually filo dough, so it's kind of like a savory pastry. We often find ourselves just going their for drinks, when we feel like sticking in the neighborhood.
Uroko's also hosts a live singer/guitarist once a month, named Hitoshi. He doesn't speak English, but does really great covers of American classics (Bob Dylan, Beatles), sung in phonetic fashion. This is highly entertaining. He's playing July 5th, but you need to get there early to secure a seat as it does get packed.

After Uroko's one evening, our friends dragged us, kicking and screaming, to the infamous Gate 2 street - a stark contrast.

So I've been here for 6 months and this was my first time there. My perception of what I would find - raucous, misbehaving youth - was pretty accurate. Yet, once I geared up for it, and stopped thinking like a stuffy old lady, we ended up having a really fun time.

We went to Fujiyama, which was like stepping into another dimension - Picture it: 1998 or so, college, frat boys, posters on the ceiling, absurdly loud band playing and fist-fulls of Coronas. I knew when I saw all the regulars had brought their own earplugs, we were in for trouble. It was jam-packed with Americans, and had a pretty good cover band playing....Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink 182. I did get a certain nostalgia for the States while I was in there, and if you're looking for that slice of Americana, I would definitely check it out.

Two very different spots - doable in one evening. I love this island.

Uroko's - from Kadena Gate 1 take the road all the way down to the seawall, make a right , Uroko's is just past Transit Cafe on your right, about 1/2 a block north. Fujiyama's is just out Kadena Gate 2....about 2 blocks down on your right. Bring earplugs and have a wonderful time!

A night on the town: Niche Martini Lounge

Having hailed from Los Angeles, I have equal affinity for both the city and the beach. I can rock the stilettos or the reef sandals - each has their place in a fun nightlife. Thankfully, Okinawa has the beach part down. Adorable cafes overlooking the East China Sea? Check. Suntanned bartenders in Hawaiian shirts? Check. Swanky penthouse cocktail bar worth donning the high heels for? Not so much.

Sometimes a girl just needs to put a dress on! If you feel my ache for a metropolitan evening you should check out Niche Martini Lounge. Niche is a smallish lounge/bar just off the 58th parallel, one block South of ETWS in Chatan Cho.

It's a great place to swing by after dinner on a date night. Also, Niche appreciates a good theme night, and often has live jazz music.

A friend of mine hosted a Jungle-themed promotion party there recently and the hip surroundings inspired some fantastic costumes.

Niche would be a fantastic place to throw a grown-up birthday party (sans costumes) one worth hiring a babysitter. And we love it because it's that little slice of city life that we miss.

And of course if you've got that three-piece suit hanging in your closet, with no where to go....

The cosmopolitan atmosphere is reflected in the drink prices, and they are a little high for Chatan - $9 cocktails, $7 glass of wine. But they take great pride in their mixology and the vast array of flavors are always quite tasty. Also... delicious red wine! This seems hard to come by in Okinawa - the wine is either too sweet or served icy cold to mask it's sweetness. I had a nice dry Cabernet Sauvignon at Niche and it tasted like home.

From Kadena gate 1: go down to the 58th parallel, turn south (left) and take that street for about 3km, turn left about 1 block past ETWS. Also, most cabbies know where it is. Enjoy yourself!