Sun Sea

CONTIBUTED BY KATHERINE MOORE

If you live by Kadena Gate 3 or use that gate frequently, you have probably seen this large green building with a wave and some kind of fish on it.  I drive by this building everyday for the last 5 months and I finally thought, "It’s time to find out what it is."

It is called Sun Sea.  They are basically a Wal-mart (without clothing and food) and an Ace Hardware store in one place.  As the sign on the building states, it is a “House and general center of the living,” meaning they sell everything you need for your house and other living necessities.  The place is actually a 3-story building and has many departments such as gardening, pets, hardware, tools, kitchen supplies and appliances, furniture, sporting goods, stationery, electronics, car supplies including tires and even some snacks.  Click on pix to see more detail...

      

The store is a little tight, but is very convenient if you live close to Kadena Gate 3.  I have been going to San-A or Jusco when I need something that the BX does not have, but since I found out about Sun Sea, I have been going there instead. The staff is very friendly and helpful.  

So, the next time you need something for your car, pet, children, or anything at all -- you might want to stop by.  You will be amazed at how much stuff they have inside.  

Hours: 10:00 – 20:00

Phone: 098-938-6226

Directions:  From Kadena gate 3, turn right immediately after exiting the gate. Sun Sea will be on your left side. You can either park at the front of the store (there are about 8 spots) or turn left where the “P” sign is to park at their lot/garage.

 

Obi & Kimono Shop

CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA

Isn't it great how things grow on you over time?  

When I arrived on island, there were two specific things that I found to be... well...  garish and overdone:  All of the toenails of the women I seemed to meet and all of the crazily colorful obi that were proudly hanging in people's homes.

Fast forward three years, and I can't imagine going too long between visits to Cocok's or other talented nail artists to see what crazy pedicure design I can get next.  And high on my list of "last things to buy" were some seasonal obi for the wall (I use the term loosely as I have no clue what my next wall will be like).  The idea for seasonal obi came from my friend, Michelle, who PCS'd last year and introduced me to this lovely shop outside Gate 2.  

 

She decided she couldn't just pick one fabric, so instead chose an obi design for each of the seasons of the year.  This allowed her to have some brightly colored and some more muted designs, and of course, the requisite Christmas obi, of which this shop has many.

 

I was concerned I'd be overwhelmed, as stores like this can often cause me to go into an ADD-like state, but it was really fun.  Along with all the necessary items for dressing in Kimono (from the tip of your head to your garishly painted toes), Gakiya's Obi & Kimono Shop has a wide selection of obi in several sizes and a multitude of styles.  

 

I found myself enjoying sorting through the stacks of fabric and just waiting until one grabbed my attention.  I had too many to choose from in the end and vowed I'd come back SOON to pick and purchase.

 

It took a year.  But with my own PCS looming, I finally got back to the store a few weeks ago and was greeted again by Kimie's smiling face and exquisite English.  She helped when I needed it, but left me to sift through the designs peacefully.  When I'd narrowed down the choices, she began to pull chords that brought out the colors more fully and explained how the obi could be tied.  It felt a little like working with an interior designer who just knows what pillows would look best on that couch.  She has obviously been helping customers and enjoying these designs for years.  

 

 I couldn't turn down a beautiful bingata design which took me a little outside my initial price planning, so I ended up just choosing three, instead of the seasonal four -- but I had a blast and can't wait to find a wall to place my new treasures on. 

Enviously, I glanced through pictures of former customers dressed in their beautiful kimono and found myself hoping I'd get to come back to Okinawa someday with my little girl.  I can only imagine how fun it might be to get dressed up together in traditional kimono for some photos. Someday.

The obi were ready just a few days later for pick up and I'm thrilled with how they turned out.  Prices started at around $60 and there are additional charges for the chords chosen. Including the more expensive bingata, I paid just under $300 for my three choices.

I know that after all the PCS craziness dies away in a few months, I'll enjoy walking into a room on the other side of the world and experiencing the rush of feelings that always come from seeing something special from a place you've known, loved and left behind.

Directions:  Leaving Kadena Gate 2 stay straight.  Before the Koza intersection, turn left at the big eyeball sign (Mayco), and go down several blocks.  You'll turn left again just before the parking lot/Hotto Motto that is before the stoplight at BC street.  The shop is ahead on your left.  I parked in that parking lot and walked the first time, but when I returned Kimmie invited me to park directly in front of the store instead. 

Gakiya's is open everyday except Tuesdays from 11am - 7pm.  They take yen, dollars and credit cards.  Telephone number: (098) 939-3696.

Furniture and Flower Lapin

CONTRIBUTED BY KATHRYN CALAGUI

When my family and I first arrived the island, one of our biggest concerns was furnishing our house. We came here with very little furniture. We figured that our best bet was to look at the furniture available on base. We tried Foster furniture, but the stuff we liked was either out of stock or too pricey. Then we discovered Furniture and Flower Lapin. 

Furniture and Flower Lapin has a wide variety of living room, dining room, bedroom, and patio furniture. Though most of their furniture is Japanese-style (meaning small and low to the ground), there are a few pieces available that look like American-style furniture. Their prices are pretty decent, and if they don’t have the piece you want in stock, you can take the floor item for a discounted price. They also deliver to base housing! 

 

We purchased a leather sectional for 130,000 Yen, which I don’t think is bad at all for the size and material. We also purchased a couple of rugs. They carry a lot of different styles and sizes that seemed nicer and cheaper than the ones at the BX. 

 

So, if you’re in need of a place to find furniture to either decorate or redecorate your house with, Furniture and Flower Lapin is the place to go! Oh, and I almost forgot, they have English-speaking reps, so don’t worry about the language barrier. And for those of you who have lil' rugrats, they have a play area so you can look around in peace!

Happy shopping! 

Directions: From Kadena Gate 1, make a right at the light onto 58. Furniture and Flower Lapin will be on your left in Naval Kadena. 2nd Floor, above the McDonald’s. 

Store Hours: Sunday to Saturday 10:00 - 20:00 

Telephone Number: 098-956-9000 

Dollars are accepted. 

La Petit Prix

 La Petit Prix is a quaint café and store reminiscent of a French farmhouse.  While the exterior is white stucco wrapped in brick, the natural wainscoting and earthy tones inside draw you in.  Filled with organic linens and aprons, dishes and décor items, La Petit Prix likely holds an item to complement the country kitchen of someone you know. 
The real surprise of La Petit Prix is the serene seating area in the back where you can select from a small menu of teas, coffee and juice with delectable, buttery scones, waffles with maple syrup or ice cream and chocolate syrup, and buttered, cheese or cinnamon toast.  I can't wait to go back for more scones!
 

Directions: From Kadena Gate 2, continue on Rt 20. Turn right onto Rt 330 for approximately 1.1 km (the eighth street light) and turn left. This is almost a hairpin turn. Continue for .4 km. La Petit Prix is on the right side and there are two parking spaces on the right side of the entrance.

Hours: 1300 - 1900 daily. Closed Sundays, Mondays and Japanese holidays.

Telephone: 098-930-2195

Acute: Ethnic & Regional Cultural Experience

Tucked within the strip of mostly used furniture stores on Route 58 north of Futenma sits a furniture store not to be overlooked.
Acute carries beautiful, new furniture made primarily of teak wood from Indonesia.  Crafted in Indonesia, the furniture is shipped to Okinawa where the owner personally stains and finishes each piece.

 
Amidst the dressers, buffets, tables and chairs, sit this one of a kind hand-carved world map desk.  While the inlaid plaque says it’s number one of one hundred, the owner told me the crafter gave up this project during desk number two.

Acute worked with a French builder to recreate this Antonio Gaudi piece.

From Africa, there are gorgeous fabrics, pillows, decorations for your home and a table of dog clothing.  Acute also has a jewelry collection.

 
In business for over 20 years, Acute has a second location on floor two of the Plaza House Shopping Center.

Locations: Ginowan City and Plaza House Shopping Center

Directions: Ginowan - store is 2km south of Foster commissary gate. Head south on 58 and watch for the Harley Davidson shop on the left. Turn around at the next light (you cannot make a u-turn, so turn left as to head up the hill to Futenma and turn around so you are driving north on 58).  Acute is on the left (west) side of the street.  The shop is just after King Furniture, so watch for King's bright yellow sign and turn left just after it and make an immediate right into Acute's parking area.  See above link for directions to Plaza House.  Acute is on the second floor.

Hours: Ginowan 1300 - 2000 daily (closed Wednesday), Plaza House 1000 - 2000 daily

Telephone: Ginowan 098-890-7511, Plaza House 098-932-9801

Asia Ichiba

Despite the warm breeze still calling me to the beach, the holiday season is once again approaching.  If you aren’t set on giving a gift uniquely Okinawan, consider Asia Ichiba.   
Ichiba means marketplace in Japanese, and Asia Ichiba carries a variety of imports from India, Thailand, and the Philippines.  I have often driven past this shop and wonder what it held, the bright yellow roof catching my eye.  The ground floor is a skate board clothing and accessory store, so head up the stairs to the second floor.    
Textiles, pillows, candles and holders, lamps, hand-beaded bags, jewelry, wood-carved animal figurines in sizes from miniature to life-sized, handbags, glassware, tea sets, ceramics, tiled mirrors and stationary fill the space and most of these items are truly unique and interesting.   
Spanning the back of the store are clothes - part used American sports jerseys and clothing, and part newly crafted and imported (primarily) from India.  I spotted these cute mother-daughter matching dresses, although depending on sizes it might be older sister-younger sister dresses.   
Nestled in front of the clothing is the large Second’s section where gifts, fabrics and household accessories are reduced to pretty phenomenal prices. 

Stairways on both edges of the store lead to a loft packed with solid wood furniture.  Compared to what I’ve seen at the base concessionaires and a few off-base markets, the furniture is very well priced.  
Asia Ichiba is an ideal shop to pick up some décor inspiration, find a housewarming gift or the perfect gift for your closest friend. 

Hours: Daily 1100 – 2000
Phone: 098-936-8100
Directions: Across 58 from Camp Foster, approximately 1.1 km north from Foster Gate 5 (Commissary gate). Ample parking in front and behind store. 
Payment: Yen and credit cards accepted.

Yamada Tech

I've heard Yamada Tech called Japan's Best Buy, and it is certainly the place in Okinawa to "geek out".  Computers, electronics, cameras, video games, music, cell phones, and large Japanese appliances can all be found here, but Yamada Tech also sells light fixtures, air conditioners and all the accessories you can think of. There is even a toy section for boys and girls including dolls, Legos, and an intriguing batch of matchbox car themes with a Mister Donut shop and Honda car dealership.

Perhaps the greatest part of Yamada Tech is the ability to test before you buy. You can play with the electronics, throw some dirt on the floor and vacuum it up, and feel the breeze of the fans and wall air conditioners. As girls, we had fun trying out all the hair dryers to find one both powerful and quiet.  You can touch the flat and curling irons as well but you can't plug them in.  All the models are numbered to easily find the item you want to purchase so you don't have to worry about not being able to read Kanji.

In terms of price, some items seem comparable (video games) while some of the electronics may be more expensive and unlikely to beat online outlets such as NewEgg.  However, given that Japan is generally first to release new electronic products, Yamada Tech might be selling more advanced products than what is available at the Exchanges or online merchants.  It may be worth comparison shopping the televisions - do a quick internet search to net the US model number equivalent.  Yamada Tech is also probably the place to pick up Japan-first releases of anticipated video game titles if you just can't wait for the US versions.

Hours: 1000-2200 daily

Directions: 3 locations in Okinawa. I visited the one in Gushikawa next to the Birthday store. From Kadena Gate 2 or 3, turn on to 85. When you come down a huge hill, you'll see Aeon shopping mall on the right. Go through the intersection past Aeon and turn left into the shopping area after you see the Yellow Hat auto shop.

Website: http://www.yamada-denki.jp/store/contents/pref_47.html (Plug this into Google's translator for the other locations)

Shopping is inevitable!

Shopping at Yomitan Pottery Village with my favorite Army Wives!!!

Shopping is inevitable whether you like it or not.  You must shop for groceries, new school supplies, pottery, random office supplies, the perfect gifts, etc.  Shopping is a reality in our lives and it's easier said than done when living overseas.  One big decision we have to make is where to shop - on-base, off-base or on-line.  And, if you are anything like me, I get overwhelmed with the prospect of researching who ships to FPO/APOs, where the best deals are, what companies make returning easier, etc.  So, I was wondering where you all do your on-line and off-base shopping since we all know where you do your on-base shopping. 

And since you all are in the mood to answer my questions please share with me.....

Where do you shop on-line and why? (Ex. Where do you buy shoes, gifts, scrapbooking supplies, etc.)

Where do you order photo prints and why?  How much does each print cost and what is the shipping?  (I'd love this random info since I have a lot of reprints to order soon!)

Where is your favorite place to shop off-base and why?  (If it has not already been covered on Okinawa Hai I will check it out and give you the props!)

What is your favorite shopping blog and why?  (Besides Okinawa Hai, of course!)

I know that's a lot of questions but I believe you all are up to the challenge!  I'm looking forward to exploring the island and the internet with you as we share our best shopping ideas!!

"Family Boutique" = Drool Worthy Home Decor

CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GARCIA

Where do you buy your home decor on the island? Not art, but I guess what you might call "interior goods." Towels, linens, table settings, candles and such?

Me, I got a cool rug for my bedroom at Mixx Life Style. A nifty dish scrubber thing at maxplus.  Coffee spoons, curtain rods and kitchen mats from places like Ramayana and ETWS.  I like the 100 yen and gift shops for baskets.  And of course, the odd Yankee Candle at the PX.

But last week, while my mom was here, I went to a shop that made me want to reach for my non-existent handkerchief and pat my drool dry.  I don't know if it was the warm lighting that triggered this impulse, the high quality of merchandise, or simply the aesthetic - kind of a French country meets Japan. Anyway, it was just gorgeous.

You know you are entering someplace special when you walk through the door and are immediately enveloped by sumptuous fragrance.  It's the smell of flowers and fine linens.  This is a shop where details are attended to (Hey! Just like at Fertile, the restaurant they own across the street.)  It's small, however, if you are like me you could spend a fair amount of time here. You might find yourself reaching out to touch everything--pillowcases, towels, the luxurious bathrobes.  Or lingering over the table settings, flipping plates over to find the price...just in case.  I found myself considering taking up gardening just so I'd have an excuse to buy their cool rubber boots and garden gear.  Again and again, I wove through the shop delighting in something new with each pass.

Family Boutique isn't cheap, but even if you aren't buying it's worth the trip. Just go there to touch and feel and smell and browse.  If you combine it with a lovely lunch or tea at Fertile across the street, it would make for a very pleasant girls' afternoon.  (Or a good solo afternoon for that matter.) Top that off with an appointment to get your piggies painted, as I did with my mom that day, and it's pretty close to perfect!

(My mom fell in love with these towels a little bit, about $25 a pop!  I fell in love with these pajamas a little bit...I think they were pajamas anyway, they were with the robes!)

      

I've seen these candles in a fancy-pants boutique in Asheville, NC. 

     

A cool metal topped table.                  Cute glass jars.

INFO AND HOURS

Open everyday

www.watashinoheya.com

DIRECTIONS

Go straight out Kadena gate 2. Make a left at the 4th light (the corner where Top Embroidery sits). Follow this road past Mike's Tex Mex on the left. You'll pass one stoplight. At the first intersection past that first light you want to make a right (before you turn, there is a building with an orange awning on the right and an "Anew" store on the left). You'll see a sign that s says "Boutique Paris" on the left. Turn left here.  Family Boutiqe will be on your left hand side, right after the parking lot.

PCS with a twist!

A couple of weeks ago I received the above invitation from my friend (and next door neighbor) Michela. She throws the most creative parties I've ever seen; I couldn't wait to see what she had up her sleeve this time! Upon reading the invite I knew I was in for a treat:

Before I have a PCS - Permanent Change of Station
Join me for a PCS - Potluck, Cocktails and Shopping

I've been going through my closets and cupboards and have a bunch of
things to get rid of before I pack out!

Bring an appetizer or dessert to share,
I'll supply the beverages.

One night only, shop till you drop for FREE in the following departments....
Pantry/Kitchen
House Wares
Ladies Accessories
Outdoor/Patio
Jewelry Cosmetics & Fragrance
Special Occasion
Shoes
Electronics
Automotive

Please note this is an exclusive shopping event, only those on the guest list may attend.
(teen daughters are welcome)

WHAT A COOL IDEA! You know what it's like preparing to PCS - going through cupboards, closets, cabinets - weeding through shoes, clothes, candles, etc. Great stuff that you loved enough to buy, but have decided to leave behind for one reason or another. With good intentions of donating to the thrift store, most of it gets stuffed into boxes and bags that we trip over for a couple of weeks before we finally set them out at the side of the road.

If you are anything like me, you probably have a wide range of clothing in your closet - everything from that favorite pair of jeans several sizes too small that "some day" will fit again to the collection of ball gowns in a rainbow of colors. Fabulous stuff in mint condition, too expensive to garage sale (insulting when someone offers a DOLLAR for a dress they know cost two hundred) but not very practical to be hauling around move after move.

Which is what made Michela's "PCS" idea so spactacular. She found a way to downsize without going through the heartache of seeing her treasures reduced to rubbish, and she blessed her friends in the process!

Take a look at some of the pictures from the party:

P = potluck
  Guests arriving with the food.

C = Cocktails
If your home has a stocked bar, this is the perfect way to polish off those half empty bottles.

S = Shopping!
Since Michela is known for her elegant and trendy style, we were all eager to see what she was sharing...

Tammy scores a great bag!
Audrey spots a cute purse

Everyone was happy with their loot, and we'll all carry memories of this night with us forever. We'll also think of Michela (bottom row center) every time we use one of her gifts!

You can bet I'll be throwing a PCS party before my next move. How about you?