OKINAWA

Travel

Don’t miss springtime cosmos on Okinawa

With the temperature warming in Okinawa, visits to Mt. Yae or Nakijin castle ruins might be a top priority for catching the spring favorite, cherry blossoms.

Travel

Tip of the day: Watch out for bus lanes on Okinawa

Commute time can be very stressful for drivers in Okinawa.

Spotlight!

Pacific Tattoo: Reveal - Samuele Ratta

My favorite tattoo is hands-down my left sleeve. It’s comprised of the four animals for the four cardinal directions from Korea’s version of yin and yang.

Travel

My Faves: Japanese childhood toys

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I had a lot of fun playing with traditional Japanese/Okinawan toys, including kites and spinning tops.


Latest Stories

Photo Of Sausage Savior: Enjoy ‘Weekend Dog,’ German fare every day at Tesio

Food & Drink

Sausage Savior: Enjoy ‘Weekend Dog,’ German fare every day at Tesio

If you go to Gate 2 Street near Kadena AB regularly, Tesio may already be on your radar.

Photo Of Savoring spring food: Meet Japan’s favorite spring fever delicacies!

Food & Drink

Savoring spring food: Meet Japan’s favorite spring fever delicacies!

Who doesn’t know that feeling of giddy excitement when the temperatures rise and the winds turn from cold to pleasant?


Videos


More Stories from Okinawa

Photo Of You’re the chopsticks to my sushi!: Craft easy, kawaii Japan-themed Valentines

Food & Drink

You’re the chopsticks to my sushi!: Craft easy, kawaii Japan-themed Valentines

Do you love sushi? Or Valentine’s Day? How about Sushi Valentines?! We are currently living in the land of sushi and Japan goes crazy for Valentine’s Day.

Photo Of In the footsteps of Okinawa’s railway

Travel

In the footsteps of Okinawa’s railway

One day as I was driving, a funny tune caught my attention coming from a radio, going “Afee! Afee!”

Photo Of Pacific Tattoo: Artist’s take - Hiroshi Nishimura

Spotlight!

Pacific Tattoo: Artist’s take - Hiroshi Nishimura

Hiroshi Nishimura is a tattoo artist based out of Kobe, Japan, who also travels overseas to share his craft with others. Nishimura, who says he joined the profession because he thought being a tattoo artist would be “cool,” shared his thoughts on the tattoo culture in Japan.

Photo Of Rules for riding e-scooters in Japan

Travel

Rules for riding e-scooters in Japan

With the recent uptick of violations and accidents involving e-scooters in Japan, I realized it might be time to catch up on the rules and regulations of using these vehicles.

Photo Of Tearing it up on ATVs in Higashi Village, Okinawa

Travel

Tearing it up on ATVs in Higashi Village, Okinawa

It had been years since I’d made my way back to Higashi Village on Okinawa’s northeastern coast.

Photo Of Yagiya Soba in Nanjo City: Okinawa soki soba in a traditional setting

Food & Drink

Yagiya Soba in Nanjo City: Okinawa soki soba in a traditional setting

The menu is simple and consists of the classic soki soba with some variations. One of the unique specialties of Yagiya is a special seaweed soba.

Photo Of Exploring Okinawa: Head to Yaese Town for trail trekking, goats and more

Travel

Exploring Okinawa: Head to Yaese Town for trail trekking, goats and more

On a sunny late-autumn day, I headed to Horohoro no Mori in Yaese Town on Okinawa’s southern coast.

Photo Of Get your photos published in Stripes’ Welcome to the Pacific magazine; deadline Jan. 22

Travel

Get your photos published in Stripes’ Welcome to the Pacific magazine; deadline Jan. 22

Have you ever dreamed about having your photo featured on the cover of a magazine?In May 2025, the next edition of our annual Stars and Stripes Welcome to the Pacific magazine will hit the streets, and we’re looking for you, our readers, to help make it the best ever!

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