Island Newbies

Contributed By Tara H

 

This is the place for all of you who need Information NOW! Have no fear, you're in the right place. The Island Newbie section is now all about links. Links to all kinds of information. You need it, we have it.

This page has links to websites you need plus all the great posts from Okinawa Hai that will help you before, during and after your move.

So get to clicking, you'll be amazed at all the things you can find out. Your spouse will be shocked at how informed you are, you'll be able to sleep at night, and get excited about Okinawa.  

 

TLF on Okinawa:

West Pac

Shogun INN

Questions about housing:

• Should you live on or off base and what does government furniture look like?
• What does a typical off base place look like?
• Wondering what stuff to bring to Okinawa?
• What kind of kitchen supplies and electric appliances to bring?
• How do you hang stuff on all cement walls?
• What about slipcovers for those government sofas?

Other big concerns:

• Where do you go for off base health care?
• Birth options in Okinawa?
• What public schools do they have?/ More info on schools.
• Preschool, private and homeschooling? 
• Tips on how to travel with kids overseas?
• How do I get my pet to Okinawa?
• 101 tips on your Okinawa PCS with pets.

Finding the Okinawan Groove
You made it. Not sure if anyone told you but you get to drive on the left side of the road. You think you're going to freak, but you can do it!

Click on these posts for car buying tips and driving tips:

• Where'd you buy your car here in Okinawa?
• Need a copy of the driver's license test?
• Looking for Online Okinawa maps?
• What is JCI and how do I deal with it?

Click here for questions about home phones and cell phones

• What home phones and cellphones are available in Okinawa?
• Verizon phone service on Kadena.

Click here for tips on where to buy household stuff:

• Where do you buy affordable items to set up house?
• Where are the flea markets and thrift stores for used items?

Getting the Okinawa Groove (The first 6 months) 

 

Your personality will play a huge roll in how long it takes to get your groove here. Some people jump right in and find their way. Others take a little longer to make friends and feel at home. If you are one of the ones having a hard time, don't give up hope. This site and it's sister site Now Serving Okinawa are here to help. Find a playgroup, church, gym or volunteer. Okinawa has a lot of options, if you don't click with the first group go on to the next group. You will find where you fit.  

 

• What's the best way for dealing with culture shock?    
• How do I get a social life in Okinawa?
• Need a list of churches in Okinawa?

What are some best bets to meet other stay at home moms?

• Stroller strides
• Alligator Steps

What to do if you stay home without kids?

• Getting and staying fit 1,2,3,4
• Running on Okinawa
• Find a group on Okinawa Hai Society

Popular restaurants and children's parks close to Kadena?

• Kitakaisen
• KameSoba
• Krishna's
• Okinawa zoo and Museum
• Lester Hills Park
• Sunabe Baba Park

Keeping the Okinawan Groove (6 months and up)

Its a small island and it can feel claustrophobic sometimes especially during the rainy season. The cure for that is to try out new restaurants, explore new parks, and if you can afford it travel, travel, travel to some awesome destinations. That's where the rest of this website comes in. Go forth and use our blog to search out cool things to do, new places to eat, and great things to buy. If you happen to come across something we haven't posted please write it up and contribute it to the blog. And in doing so you'll help someone else keep the Groove.

 

     

• Where do you park your car when flying out of Naha airport?
• Tips on traveling?

PCS'ing

• PCS season in Okinawa

Comments?

We would love to hear about your island newbie experiences, tips for island newbies, or suggestions for this section.

Since conversations on this thread go in lots of directions and often remain unanswered we have closed comments as of March 19, 2009. We can better serve your questions on our forum, Okinawa Hai Society.

1. Take a minute to sign up, please. CLICK HERE.

2. Once you're all settled in, you can click on FORUMand scroll down to the section for ISLAND NEWBIESor join Feedback on Hai.

3. Ask as many questions as your heart desires. You will get a much better response there and the answers will be easier to find when you go hunting for them later.

Comments

[Julie]

I found this website about 3 months before moving here and have now been here for 6 months. I've had sooo much fun here and feel like i'm alive again! (It doesn't hurt that my 2 best friends from my last duty station got here about the same time also). We log onto this site regularly and try all the restaurants posted, we explore a lot of the things mentioned on here and shop till we drop! In 6 months i've done the belly dancing class on Kadena, gone diving with whale sharks, been to the Bingata factory and created my own, tried food I thought I never would and have seen dried sea snakes hanging on a wire for sale on Kokusai St. (Just to name a few things) Anyway, to the point of my comment, one way to get a social life here is to join the OIWC. It's the Okinawa International Womens Club. It's a large group of local Japanese and American women that meet together once a month for lunch and a meeting. One month on Butler, the next at a place in town. It is broken down into smaller groups with the same general interests of ladies living near each other. This smaller group meets as many times as they want to in a month and does anything they want to. Japanese ladies lead it one month, American ladies lead it the next. For example, there are 5 Japanese ladies and 8 American ladies in my group and in November the Japanese ladies hosted the outing and we all voted to go to the Bingata factory in Naha. They set it up for us and it was wonderful! The people at the factory did a Japanese tea ceremony for us and had a musician there to play for us. This is where I made that bingata creation done with coral and dye. In December, the Japanese ladies said they wanted to experience a traditional American Christmas, so we went all out and gave it to them and their families and even had Santa make an appearance. Anyway, you get the idea. We're all becoming close friends and even see each other outside of the OIWC. Two of them took me to the Jusco so I could pick their brains on what everything in the bakery and other depts was. Glad I did that, now I know not to try those little dough balls at a little cook stand across from the registers, it's octopus. Yuck.
Anyway, just another idea if you want to get involved and do things and meet lots of people, both American and Japanese.

Thank you to the creaters that be of this website! You've answered any questions i've ever had and have guided me to great places to eat and have made me feel like, whew! i'm not the only one who feels like this sometimes! LOL.... Thank you again,
Julie

[Julia]

Ah, I think I'm jealous! I have yet to try pretty much anything that you mentioned except for the octopus balls. And those weren't quite to my taste either. I would love to create my own bingata. What a great souvenir!

I had thought about joining OIWC but I just didn't think I would be able to enjoy it with a toddler and infant in tow and I didn't want the headache of arranging child care.

OIWC sounds like so much fun though. A great way to meet others and to learn more about the culture while we're here.

[Peggy]

For those with high school lacrosse players, adults wanting to play lacrosse: There is a FREE lacrosse club on Camp Foster. We have a high turnover of players, and we always need new players. Those new to the sport are also welcome! Practices and home games are always free. Travel with the team is optional when a game is planned elsewhere. Loaner equipment is also available, free of charge, but if you are PCSing here, please consider sending your equipment (you cannot buy it on island) All ranks, all services, all dependents, and all nationalities are WELCOME to play. There is a men's team and a women's team. Actually, the women's team will play its first game on March 2 with a club team from Tokyo, behind Gunner's gym. Practices are on most Sunday afternoons, 12 noon - 2 or 3, on the fields behind the gym or nearby. Stop by or email us for more info. We also have a website: http://eteamz.active.com/okilaxclub/

[Michelle]

Hi...

I just found your site and am excited to read through it... I was looking for a place to e-mail a question and only found this area. Please forgive me!

I'm new to the island and am in need of a good plastic surgeon. Do you know of any here in Okinawa or a way for Americans to find out information about the doctors here? I'd really appreciate your input!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Downtown Julie Brown]

Hey Michelle,
Not sure about a plastic surgeon. The big hospitals here are lester naval hospital or adventist medical center. Here's the hai article on adventist: http://www.okinawahai.com/my_weblog/2007/07/where-do-you-go.html
Here's a helpful link on doctors off base:
http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-nahadoctors.html
Hope that helps! Julie

[Aaron]

Hi, i was wondering if someone knew the rules on bringing cars to and from the island. I lived in okinawa 02-04 as an airman and i was sad to part with my skyline the first time, now im going back as a civilian contractor/military dependant and id really like to bring one back to the states this time. What i heard on the vine is you have to take a car over to be able to bring one back via TMO, and the car has to be older than 1976 to get shipped TO the island. Anyone have some more info?

[CHUNKYCHUN]

No Military Plastic Surgeon on island

[Michelle]

My names Michelle and my boyfriend got stationed in Okinawa a few months ago and I really want to move out there to be with him. Because of school I can't get married, and I don't really want the military to be the reason we get married...If you know what I mean. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about what kind of job I could get over there, off base, so I can get a visa. I'm a yoga instructor and I also have a certificate to be an English teacher. The problem is that I don't speak any Japanese....although I'm trying to learn some. Any ideas or suggestions??

[Heather N.]

I am hair color addict. I dye my hair frequently and I don't mind experimenting with color - pink looks fabulous on me! My stylist here said you can get all sorts of wonderful hair color done there - you know all of the colors that are not FDA approved for use here. So I am wondering what kinds of hair salons there are both on and off base and what kind of services they offer? Thanks!
Heather

[Bambi Caldwell]

Wow, your hair dresser told you a good story then! If you go out in town for hair color the lightest they go is a light brown. On base they carry the same stuff as in the states. You can also find a lot of ladies doing it out of there housees. That's where I go and its fabulous because I don't have to worry about what my kids are doing and if I will be able to get in with the same lady. She also keeps a card on what she does so she can reference it where in the salons they just match from looking (so it could end up lighter or darker).

[Heather N.]

Bambi how are the hair dressers on base? When we were stationed in Italy they were not very good and it was hard to find a good stylist that spoke english well enough to understand what you really wanted. My stylist here said you could get all sorts of funky colors including metallics done in Japan - she must have been referring to mainland. I know things tend to be a little different on the island.

[Joelle]

Michelle,

I have frequently seen ads for English teachers needed. I'm sure you could get work doing that, but in order to get a visa, I assume you'd have to work that out before. I'd Google English schools on island (or maybe someone knows of one?). As for yoga -- most of the bases teach yoga and I would think you could probably find a job doing that (although they mostly want power yoga because in order to be free classes -- subsidized by the military -- it has to be considered "cardio"). I teach kid's yoga on Kadena, myself. But I don't think you'd be able to swing a visa for that -- that could just be extra. You could always check out the JET programs -- but I don't know if you can request to be placed on Okinawa or not. Good luck! I think it's cool you're not just going to get married to be here -- probably a smart decision!

[aviva]

Heather - I'm sure if you were to venture to Naha or befriend a local you could find someone to do some fun things with your hair, but yes - it's probably a lot easier to find funky salons like that on mainland. It's different here. Also, I have gotten my hair cut & highlighted off base at Cocok (locally said "Coco's" but I'm not sure that's the way it should be pronounced...) http://www.cocok.net/index.html is their site. Not sure about the funky colors, but their cuts are fantastic. I also have had a great experience with a couple of on-base stylists, and like Bambi mentioned - some here will come to your house too. The price is RIGHT too! Just find someone whose hair you like and ask where they get it cut - a couple of folks here told me they had it done in the states, but then I found a woman on base that I really like. And she cuts my daughter's hair too and does a great job.

Michelle - I agree with Joelle, wise move to go about this without getting married for the cause. I definitely think you could work off-base teaching English, but don't know how you'd go about setting that up either... good luck on the research, if I hear anything I'll post the info.

[Heather]

We have orders to Okinawa for the summer which I am very excited about. I am very concerned about the overseas screening and not being able to go with my hubby who is a Marine. I have mild Asthma and allergies have no idea if this would exclude me from coming with. Does any one have knowledge about this? Thank you for your time.

[Candice]

Heather
Sometimes people with Asthma have worst symptoms due to the tropical Island....mold can be a problem in some houses ....just do your homework......

[Cherry]

Hi Heather!
I just arrived here in Okinawa with our 4 children on March 24th. It was an extremely long process getting my youngest child, our son, cleared for medical screening. The fact that "someone" lost his entire record screening didnt help one bit either. It just depends on the kind of asthma you have & the factors that trigger & exacerbate it; if it is controlled with meds and/or inhalers. This goes same for your allergies. Know your allergens & find time to google those factors if present here on the island. The "Board" (made up of medical personnels I was told) here in the Naval hospital is the one who ultimately makes the decision whether you can join hubby or not. They pay close attention to asthma/allergy issues BECAUSE eventhough they have an Allergy Department in the Naval hospital, sadly, they DO NOT have an Allergist (a doctor who specializes in these issues like what we have back in States) on staff. If you look in the Naval hospital website, www.oki.med.navy.mil, on top click on "info for patients and community", then click on "Specialty clinics" on left side menu, then it gives you a list of the specialty services they offer, click on the first link, "Allergy Clinic", it tells you this info and also their hours of operation & how to go about being seen if need be. They also have a link of the Exceptional Family Program, which I assume you would have been determined as a member.

Let me tell you, it felt like going through a tight ringer getting my toddler to pass this. It was like a roller coaster ride of emotions & drama if we were all going to be one big happy family again mainly cuz all points ended up on my toddler's issues. If you go to the naval clinic & be seen by their screening docs, they have this extensive health questionnaire that starts with "HAVE YOU NOW OR EVER HAD" .... then a check-off list of all these conditions ever known to human beings. Honestly, I dont think I know of anyone lately who's got that cleanest bill of health ever anymore...unless you are a newborn with really good genes/DNA make-up. That or they cloned you. Seriously. It ridiculous how it was phrased.

Anyhow, the only thing I can think of why some people with asthma can have worse symptoms here could be if the humidity bothers you. Mold growth is an issue in some homes here from what I was told but like any issue, it can be addressed and it is more of a resident environment control than anything. They have dehumidifiers to use and of course, the PX & commissaries have a wide variety of cleaning products available for purchase to use in your homes. My husband knows of one Marine family who has to scrub their walls at least once a month with bleach solution as part of their precationary steps in The Mold issue. I plan to do the same when we move in our home this week.

So, there are ways to go about this. I hope you wont have to go through such agonizing process with your overseas screening as I have with my son. Good Luck in all your undertakings.

[Heather]

Thank you Candice and Cherry! This is such a nerve racking process and this will be our last duty station prior to retirement. Woo hoo.. Thanks again. If you run across any more info please pass it along.

[Bambi Caldwell]

My friends kids (3 of them) have bad asthma, but here they are fine. In Jacksonville, NC you knew when the weather was changing because they would all be having bad asthma attacks and end up in the DR's getting stronger meds than what there inhalers have. We have been on island 1 1/2 years and they have had only 1 severe asthma attack that they needed stronger medicine than the inhaler. If you know what triggers the asthma you may be fine here. There dr. told them that it was the difference between the salt in the air from NC to OKI.

[Shannan]

An off topic question here if you don't mind :)
Where is the best place to purchase flowers and such for the yard? I know of the usual Make Man, Navel Kadena and such. But are there any other places you have found great flower bed fixer-uppers? Someone told me about a place out Kadena Gate 3, the only place I could find was a there at the intersection of 329?

[Suzy]

Hey Shannan! I think I know what you're talking about. There's a couple that sets up a little stand right past the Camp Shields gate (where the old caring kennels/adoption center is). I don't know if they're there daily or not but I drive by them occasionally. There also used to be a place to buy plants right where they now have a little food co-op place across from Coco's (the old hot spar) but I think that's only on the weekends? I was looking for a place to buy some great produce out in town and came across it a while ago. Have you by any chance seen any fresh fruit stands anywhere? The commissary just isn't cutting it anymore. I've been searching for cantelope for months!:)

[Daniela]

If you feel like driving there is a great vegetable/fruit market in Yomitan just across from the MaxValue. I love their selection, but don't think you'll find cantelope there.
On your way there you'll pass a flower place. I think it's 2 lights before the fruit market on the left. There is a small food place on the right.
Daniela

[K]

Hello,
This is an amazing website. I am in the US right with a move a couple months away. I have a 3 and 5 year old. Do many mom's work? Is there preschool/child care all day to allow for this? What are the advantages of having your child go to school off base?
I look forward to your responses!!!

[Jen]

HELP PLEASE...We just found out that we are moving from Camp Lejeune to Camp Foster in October 08. My husband and I have been married almost 3 years and we are expecting our first little boy in September. We have never been anywhere but here and I am leaving my family for the first time and I am 27 years old...so needless to say I'm scared to death....I am really looking for someone who can help answer some questions maybe like a "BIG SISTER" who I can e-mail with some questions. If you won't mind helping, please contact me at luvtoteachu2@yahoo.com...thanks!! Also, if anyone doesn't want to bother with e-mailing back and forth, what should i expect out of on base housing with my hubby being an E6 and 1 baby and a dog....is there usually a long wait in sept?? PS. I've never lived in base housing either!!

[Joelle]

Jen -- scared is good cuz it means you'll reach out and get good info before you come. This whole site is excellent for that. I would highly suggest reading though all of the housing posts under the TO LIVE category (dropdown menu on the left side).

And for other questions you have, if you don't find info under the various categories, just email your specific question to one of the category editors (find emails under WHO'S HAI? on left side) and we'll happily put your question out there for everyone to answer (even better than one "big sister" cuz it'd be like 100's!).

Third idea is to have your husband contact his new unit for your sponsor. If you're lucky, it will be someone who is married and maybe the wife will be able to help you with other things!

Good luck -- with your pregnancy too!

[MA]

just wanted to put in my 2 cents. this is an amazing website. not sure where i would have been without you guys. i've been here for a little over a month now and i'm getting the hang of this oki life.
about the cantelope... yomitan market does have some. they're very small though. i've never tried them, though. let me know how they are! i love the market here in yomitan. they always have good fresh veggies and fruits and they're way cheaper than the comm. good luck!!

[Erin]

What an incredible website! My husband and I just got orders to Torii and we are sooooo excited! Well... at least I am-he's in his last phase of training right now. I don't have power of attorney right now, so with Drew unavailable, its hard to get much done and find anything out here at Bragg. OK, so I have SO many questions and know that I'll be helped here!

My husband and I do not have any human children yet, but we do have a rescue pup. He is very skiddish so I'm worried about him on that long trip. I know no sedatives will last the whole way, can anyone recommend things for comfort? Also, how do they do their business? Just in the crate?! That worries me.

Since I don't have any children yet, will I be able to still make friends just as easily?

We will be there for three years and aren't planning on kids yet, but if there happens to be a slip up or we change our minds, is it perfectly fine and comfortable to go through all of that on the island?

I read all the on vs off base posts and I'm thinking it'd be best for me to live on base and get used to the "culture shock" first. Plus I want it to be very easy for me to meet people and get involved.

I've been told that those assigned to Torii live around Kadena. I also heard that the billeting is changing and that might effect my arrival. I DO NOT want to wait to travel out there after Drew! Even if we do have to wait for housing, am I able to go out there with him and stay in temp housing?

Am I able to do anything about housing right now before we're assigned a sponsor?

Are cell phones recommended or actual phones?

I am a graphic designer and work over the internet. Is the internet very different over there?

And can you shop over the internet just the same as in the states?

I am also thinking about getting certified for teaching yoga and/or pilates and was wondering if thats very popular over there?

*What are the MOST IMPORTANT things that I need to know and what should I know/get done ASAP?

Ok I think thats all for now! Thank you so much for reading my scatter-brained questions!! :o)

[aviva]

How sweet, here come the newbies! Welcome, Erin. So your hubby is Army... SF or ADA? and Torii is a great duty station and it's a gorgeous area. I have a few SF friends here and they love it (I only know SF families that live out in town, btw. Two of them moved off base after a year and wish they would have done it from the beginning - Yomitan is the area where Torii is and it's awesome. If I had it to do again, I'd live there!)

I don't have a pet, but this is a great post about it, read through the comments: http://www.okinawahai.com/my_weblog/2007/09/how-do-i-get-my.html - and definitely communicate with your vet about keeping the doggie comfy.

Friends - Erin, it's easy when you have a good attitude & get out there. It's so much fun to explore this island and you'll definitely make friends - kids or no kids. (Lots of your friends, especially SF families, WILL have kids, so just prepare for that.)

This is a glorious place to have kids, and people do that. A LOT. about 100 babies are born a MONTH at Lester (we learned at our welcome brief a year ago), due to the fact that many spouses don't work/don't have to work here, I think they take the opportunity to have a baby because they can be home. And the community and network of friends here is truly like family. It's amazing - you won't believe it until you see it. "It takes a village to raise a child" has a whole new meaning to me, and I haven't had a baby here!

You will be as involved as you want to be whether on base or off, but as a couple with no kids and a pet I'm not sure what on base housing they'll offer you. Be prepared to look at both options, seems like you do have an open mind. You don't really need to make that decision until you arrive.

I'm not sure about the current TLF rules with spouses, can't speak to that.

As far as housing, they WILL offer you 2 on base places when you come, so there's nothing you can do ahead of time to arrange for that. There is always on base housing. If you want to see what kinds of things are available out in town and what they cost (your husband's housing allowance is dependent on rank, he can find that out), the agencies listed in the comments here on the site are a good place to poke around:
http://www.kanaehomes.com/english/
http://www.tokuzato-hsg.jp/
http://joy-housing.com/
http://www.central-housing.jp/001introduce/

Like I said, Torii is in Yomitan, so look at that neighborhood, or if he's willing to drive a tiny bit, Chatan is great too. Lots of American neighbors, so not too "culture shock".

I recommend a cell phone here, it's easy. You will probably have a land line at home. We have a Vonage line (look into that, it's about $30/month unlimited calls to US - any area code, and you can pick the area code of your phone number to make it cheap for your family).

The Internet! A HUGE part of our decision to live off base was my husband & my need for fast Internet. On base, it's the equivalent of DSL. Off base, fiberoptic is available. You have to wait for installation, but oh boy is it worth it. BLAZING fast, and you will not have that option on base. If you plan to work from home (which will be possible with what you do), the Internet is definitely faster out in town.

Yes, you can shop on the web but bear in mind that certain companies won't ship to APO/FPO addresses. Particularly those that use UPS (no UPS here)
For those sites you have 2 options:
1. get a Ship it APO account, or something similar - this is a company based in California that ships you stuff for a fee and provides a US address so you can send items there.
2. Use family (my mom sends me stuff when I ship it to her, bless her heart). (Both of the above options WILL take longer, btw.)

My advice is to order holiday presents in August. Seriously.

YES, pilates/yoga is popular. However the positions open when people PCS, so I'm not sure how many openings there are for teachers. You'll find out when you come. :)

Start on the dog ASAP. He will need shots and other health-related stuff happening to him. Definitely go through the sponsorship info you get when you do get a sponsor. And educate yourself on the rules for weight restrictions and decide what you're taking, what you won't be taking and what you need before you go. This site IS an amazing resource - I've often said I wished it was here before I came! Use it! Good luck, Erin. I hope others have advice on things I did or didn't cover here! :o)

[Pamelala]

This is very new in my head (3 mths) so I'll try and remember the important parts:

it is easier to actually bring the dog than it seems to be, if that makes sense. You need to get the FAVN test straight away, you can avoid any quarantine by getting it as early as poss.

Benadryl is recommended for a dog, don't sedate them, ask your vet how much (depends on weight).

I was also (very) worried about the pooing etc in the crate, well let me tell you, these dogs do NOT want to pee/poo where they sleep and their bladders suddenly turn into super balloons (IMO!)

Make sure you have a microchip and you might want to rent a reader from AVID if you don't have the 'right' microchip. It's really easy but guess what? No one ever read my dog's chip...

I think that's the main stuff, oh and good job on the rescue, that's way to do it!

Oh, just remembered, tape your dogs photo and name to the outside of the crate. For mine, I added "I am friendly" since I have a pitbull (but the Japanese aren't as brainwashed by the media about the breed as in the US!)

Good Luck :o)
PS, this site is great!

[Erin]

Um... I'm so happy to get the responses that I'm tearing up with excitement! Drew is SF and I will definitely be looking into Yomitan. It seems that it'd be harder to meet people if you're off base though? Are there just so many people around that you can't help but meet everyone? Will I be able to easily access everything in Kadena easily if we live off base? How far is Yomitan from Kadena and say... the commissary? I definitely can be picky :o) about housing and cleanliness and such, and would prefer a newer house, but I really have no idea what to expect. I will check more into those links for sure.

I'm still waiting for a sponsor to contact us...really anxious, of course.

As for my pup, Copernicus (blame his daddy for the name), I'm lucky to have a veterinarian in the family, so I got him his rabies and microchip this past week. I need to find out how soon after I can get the FAVN.

I sooooooo appreciate the responses and welcome more! People here at Bragg have no idea what they're talking about and make me run around and go insane! Thanks again!!!!

[MA]

Sorry, another random question that i don't know where else to put. What the heck are those pink statues with pointy ears and huge belly buttons and red hair i see all over? any info would be much appreciated. =o)

[kellyerace]

MA, someone wrote about those somewhere on this blog. Maybe the "tolearn" section? I should look...but know I'll get sucked in to the computer more than I am now when I should be out and about, but anyway. One of my student's grandfathers said that he actually saw one in real life. But can't remember what it is! I'll get back to ya if someone doesn't already...

[Julia]

MA, I think this is the post that Kelly is referring to.
http://www.okinawahai.com/my_weblog/2007/12/kijimuna-1.html

Happy reading!

[Julia]

Erin,

Once you get your sponsor I believe you can ask him or her to set up a housing appointment for you soon after you arrive. That will expedite the whole process. I think I read somewhere in one of the comments that someone had an appointment the same day they arrived! We were not that ambitious and were pretty happy with one early the following the week.

The first time I was here we didn't have kids and I pretty much kept to myself. It has been much easier to meet people this time around having kids but even without I think there are plenty of things you can do to meet others. The important thing is to get yourself out there and involved in activities.

I don't have any personal experience with it but I had a bunch of friends that joined an organization called OIWC. It's a great way to meet both Japanese and American women and learn a little bit about the culture. I would have joined but I just didn't think I would get that much out of it with the kids in tow. Perhaps someone else can elaborate on this more?

I don't know if you've joined the Okinawa Hai Society yet but it's also another great way to "meet" people (online) who are here, on their way to Oki, or lived here before. It's a great place to start discussions and find out more information. The link is in the sidebar on the left.

Anyway, hope this helps and good luck with your move.

[Kimberly]

About the housing meeting... Once you attend the clock starts ticking and if they offer you on-base housing but you turn it down, your per diem for the hotel stops. So if you want to live off-base it may not be in your best interest to try to attend the housing meeting right away.

[Pamelala]

That is true, what Kimberly said, our housing person on base stretched our per diem for 5 days, we have 5 days to find somewhere to live. Ours was a more predictable housing situation. Husband stationed on Kinser, Kinser mostly towers, towers no dogs = off base for us!

[Erin]

Thank you!!! Here's something I need to ask before I get busy thinking about more important things again:

What MUST I purchase while still in the states?

I keep reading that there are certain things that are not of the same quality or more limited than in the states.

Should I throw away my baking flour and sugar etc or are they ok to ship?

We have 3 crap TV's and want to upgrade to flatscreen. Should we chuck the old ones and purchase here or cross our fingers and buy one over there?

How about availability of hair products, cologne/body sprays and deodorants? (my husband and I LOVE each other's scents and don't want to get rid of them :o) Should we stock up?

I just joined the Okinawa Hai Society and am loving the additional forums!Thanks!

[Kat]

Erin--
from what I understand, unless there is EMERGENCY necessity (and I can't even think of any circumstances that would apply), you will have non-concurrent travel, unfortunately. TLF is being upgraded, and as such there is simply not room for everyone and their families. My husband and I were on the first wave of that in January of this year--he got here January 30 and I arrived March 25. I thought we might squeak under the radar because we don't have kids and it's not like I take up THAT much more room than him, but the answer we got was literally "No way".

Maybe you will get luckier than we were (hopefully!) but right now I'd start making plans to come over after him. The sooner he finds housing, the sooner you can come over. I'm reallllly picky and had multiple requirements for our house (traditional Japanese house, Japanese neighborhood, single family home, NO apartments, allow dogs, yard, etc.), which is why I had to wait 2 months. But that was worth it to me to be able to live in a house that I LOVE.

LUCKILY, it is SO easy to bring animals here...even by yourself!, if all your shots and paperwork are up to date beforehand. Make sure you have the Japan entry approval paperwork with you when you check in for your flight--the agents asked for mine as I was checking in (I flew commercial, not AMC). When we arrived in Tokyo, I just brought the kennel up to the quarantine counter. They didn't take him out or anything--just made a copy of the form that stated he belonged to SOFA status personnel stationed on Kadena, and waved him through. I stressed and stressed and stressed beforehand for NOTHING. It was soooooo easy. Make sure though, that you get a general POA from your husband so that the quarantine officials count you as his "authorized agent". :)

If you're super picky about housing, you're probably going to want to look off-base. On-base housing (to me) is blehh, but you may feel differently.

I wouldn't worry about culture shock so much. I'd heard horror stories about it here, but I had none whatsoever. Conversational Japanese is quite easy to pick up, TONS of people here can understand at least passing English, and the Okinawans are some of the most kind and helpful people I've ever met. I've been here 3 months now, and I love it more and more every day. Except for maybe the variety of huge, unidentifiable bugs.

[Lydia]

I got a question for those of you who know about the temporary lodging facilities. Between the Shogun Inn on Kadena and the WestPac lodge on Camp Foster which one is the better lodging? We were told (by housing)to expect to be in the TLF 60 days because housing would be ready for us around that time. I am not sure which TLF is better for a long stay with children.

[Heather N.]

There is no family TLF on Kadena right now as it is being remodeled and won't be finished until next year. We just stayed at the Shogun Inn and it was nice BUT we were in a one bedroom with a couch bed for the 4 of use. 60 days would have been WAY to long for all of us to stay in such a small place. Good luck!

[renee]

Hi all. I've been on this website for a couple of weeks now and I think it's awesome! We are awaiting actual orders to Okinawa. Long story short. Hubby was unaccompanied to Oki in 2005. We could not go as a family because one of our daughters was a Cat IV EFMP. Well, magically she got downgraded to a Cat II. We have talked to her dr and everything and he said that he would clear us because she is no longer taking a medication that would preclude us from going to Oki. So, hubby heard back from a guy over there who told him that 3 MLG has an opening. So, that would probably mean we would live on Kinser,right? Would we have to live on Kinser or can we live on another base close by? Are the housing areas separated by rank? The reason I ask is because we are bringing our 2 cats with us. We have already started them on the quarantine process.

I also read a recent post saying that we can't travel with our spouses? I'm wondering if that was by order or by choice. I dread the thought of having to do the moving stuff alone. Also, if you get there during the school year and you have school age kids what happens before you get housing?

I am so looking forward to living there. Hubby says there is so much to do. Besides the one year unaccompanied hubby also did 2 UDPs. When I was in the Army I was stationed in Panama for 2 years and I loved living in a foreign country and I am glad that my children are going to be afforded this opportunity.

[Suzy]

Hey Renee. My husband works for 3rd MLG but is at Schwab right now. We live over on Camp Shields. Will your husband be stationed at Kinser? I know of a few people from 3rd MLG that work over there but the majority of the people that work with my husband are over at Hansen. Housing is funny here. If he's going to be at Kinser they'll most likely try to stick you over there...BUT I think they only have towers there and you can't have pets in those. Don't worry though there are other bases that are close by or you could do the out in town thing! I really wish we would have but we had a quarantine issue with our cat due to delayed orders. Anyway, those that are stationed at Hansen are usually told that they have to live on Courtney or McT but we somehow got put over here. I hear it all depends on availability too. Unfortunately you won't find that out until you get here though. I'm not sure about the unaccompanied travel issue. We didn't have to worry about it a year ago. I can't believe that they're doing that to families right now. There is plenty of offbase lodging available so I'm not sure what the deal is!? And, if you have pets when you PCS I hear it's easier to stay offbase anyway when you first get here? We had to put our cat into a kennel facility until we could get housing so it was a mess. Anyway, good luck with the move:)!

[Jen]

Hello all,
I have been reading this website for about one month and I think it is awesome! I am due to arrive in about 3 weeks with my daughter. She will be in 8th grade. Would it be better to live off base or on base with a teenager? I also have two cats but because we are coming from Hawaii their quarantine is almost non existent. Any thoughts?

[Pamelala]

Renee, when we got here, I just kept my daughter out of school for the first 2 weeks before we found housing. My hubby is also #rd MLG (at Kinser) and we live off base in Chatan (we were offered towers and have dog). We like it off base, although we don't have on base experience to compare to. The EFMP is really good out ere. My son recently got Cat 3 due to life threatening food allergies. Good Luck, any questions, holler!

[Shannon]

Hi everyone,
I have been reading the posts on this site now and absolutely love the information on here. My hubby is already on Kadena and was able to find a house in Yomitan that had a huge yard, but we can't join him until mid Sept due to getting orders late(3 days before he left the states) and our dogs are not completely quarantined. I'm really looking forward to getting there. What I needed to try and find out is what type of appliances furnishing management has. do they have Japanese style or only American? I was also wondering what school 1st graders would go to from the Yomitan area? are there buses, if so how long of a ride? I know there are American neighbors who love the neighborhood but they don't have any kids. Thanks in advance.

[Suzy]

Shannon...The furn. mgmt people will give you an american style washer and dryer as well as an oven with a range (if you guys have room for them). I'm not sure if they give out dishwashers though. They have them in all of the onbase units but I've never been to an offbase house that has one. I'm not sure if that was due to lack of space or their availability though.
Jen...I hear that because Hawaii is Rabies free that maybe you don't have to deal with the quarantine issue??? I have no idea if it's valid info though. So, def. check with the base vet there in Hawaii or call the vet on Kadena over here. Here's a link to the vet office's website...http://kadenaservices.com/vetweb/index.htm. They also have an email adress on that page too:)

[AmyW]

Hi.. We are headed to Okinawa in the next few weeks. I find your website extremely helpful. I have a question ..Is there anyway to request not living in towers? I am extremely afraid of heights LOL yeah the plane rides for me are enough HAHA...We aren't sure where we are living yet bc my hubby got orders for Butler, So he doesn't even know what base he's working at yet. I know that I will grin and bear it if we end up in towers I just really really don't want them or at least past the 3rd floor LOL...Yeah I'm a chicken..If anyone knows anything that would be awesome. Other then that I am super excited ...Thanks for all the insight otherwise !

[renee]

Thanks for the responses to my post. Hubby said that he wouldn't mind living at McT. when he was there one of the guys he worked with lived there and he said it's not that bad. There are a few things period that I'm just going to have to grin and bear, ie, no carpeting! LOL! also, I forgot, can we bring our own Washer and Dryer? We got a set that is less than 2 years old. I know they wouldn't do well in storage for a few years. Also, we had bought another fridge for our garage, and I'm guessing we will probably end up having to sell that, too. SIGH! Even with the few negatives we come up with, nothing is that horrible that I am still looking forward to this whole experience. the whole moving process whether it's overseas or conus is stressful. We are still waiting on orders. Once we have those I will feel so much better.

[Angel]

I was given this website today. We arrived on the Island this past Friday. Lots of great info on this site, thanks for all the info. Anyway, I have a question about the Yomitan Market. Where is it located from Camp Foster? How far of drive, and are there any restrictions about buying produce off base, safety issues and such? Thanks again

[suzy]

Amy...You can turn down the towers if it's one of your choices. They are supposed to give you two choices but sometimes they don't. But, you get the option to turn down anything you don't want. I was told they will offer you two. If you turn down both then you either have to look offbase for housing or you have to go back on the wait list until they come back around to your name again which I think will be another 90 days if I remember right.
Renee...you can bring your washer and dryer BUT you'll have to store the washer and dryer that they give you then. So, a lot of people choose not to bring them. I think TMO tells you not to but I have a friend storing the govt issued ones and who uses her own. Therefore it can be done but you have to remember that you may be in a small living space and it might be hard to do so if you have a lot of household goods to begin with. Good luck with the move!:)

[Amy]

Thanks Suzy...We opted to have our pets stay with family until we find out and possibly for the 3 years. Kinda sucks bc they are our family too! :(