OKINAWA

Travel

What's Golden Week in Japan

Golden Week in Japan can mean busy roads, trains and attractions. Learn more about this mega holiday and how it could affect your travel.

Travel

Special Golden Week activities to check out at Bios on the Hill in Okinawa

As Golden Week, a series of national holidays similar to spring break, kicks off on mainland Japan and Okinawa, it’s time to enjoy the weather and some outdoor activities.

Travel

Speakin’ Japanese: Golden Week words to know

In Japan, a string of four consecutive national holidays sandwiched between two weekends (Apr. 28 to May 6) is simply called Golden Week. If you are out and about during this travel-crazy week, here are some ways to strike up a conversation.   

Food & Drink

Japanese Kitchen: Quick lesson on Okinawa soba noodles

In Japan, everybody loves noodles, and Okinawans are no different. In fact, they’ve got their own regional strand of the classic Asian cuisine – Okinawa soba. It’s not only a local favorite, but the dish of choice for many visitors who come in search of a true taste of Okinawa.


Latest Stories

Photo Of Great fun at Kadena AB American Festival on April 27

Travel

Great fun at Kadena AB American Festival on April 27

It’s time again for American Festival, a community favorite, on Kadena Air Base.

Photo Of Show love to your 2024 graduate in Stripes Grad Tab

Education

Show love to your 2024 graduate in Stripes Grad Tab

High school graduation is a special time, and Stars and Stripes is pleased to once again be putting together our annual Grad Tab, highlighting information on all of the Pacific DoDEA high schools and their graduating classes.


Videos


More Stories from Okinawa

Photo Of VIDEO: Experience Okinawa’s unique bullfights at tournaments in May

Travel

VIDEO: Experience Okinawa’s unique bullfights at tournaments in May

May is a busy month in Okinawa’s bullfighting scene with many tournaments slated at the Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome.

Photo Of VIDEO: Okinawa Kitchen: Making island's famous Hirayachi

Food & Drink

VIDEO: Okinawa Kitchen: Making island's famous Hirayachi

If you’re a Japanese food fan, you may have heard of okonomiyaki; a Korean food afficionado—chijimi. But Okinawa also has its own version: hirayachi.

Photo Of Break a sweat on the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ near Camp Foster, Okinawa

Travel

Break a sweat on the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ near Camp Foster, Okinawa

One day in mid-October, I climbed the “Stairway to Heaven”, a long series of stairs that run up a hill north of Camp Foster. The location borders the west end of Plaza Housing Area and is a great place for some cardio.

Photo Of Spirit of Steel: Celebrating the youngest heroes of 3rd MEB, Camp Courtney, Okinawa

Education

Spirit of Steel: Celebrating the youngest heroes of 3rd MEB, Camp Courtney, Okinawa

The head coach paused like a conductor catching an off-key clarinet. He fixed his eyes on a face flushed firetruck-red, streaming with tears.

Photo Of My Paradise: Uncovering legends, myths in Okinawa

Travel

My Paradise: Uncovering legends, myths in Okinawa

Okinawa abounds with legends and myths, surprises where least expected and rare animals that can’t be seen anywhere else.

Photo Of VIDEO: Exploring Okinawa: Relaxing time in Nakijin and Yagaji

Travel

VIDEO: Exploring Okinawa: Relaxing time in Nakijin and Yagaji

Nakijin Village in the northern part of Motobu Peninsula and Yagaji Island on the other side of an inland sea offer great destinations for your chill-out day.

Photo Of Stay out of Okinawa bus lanes! Police are watching!

Travel

Stay out of Okinawa bus lanes! Police are watching!

Some of you may be new to the island, while others may just seem to forget about Okinawa’s bus lanes. Don’t be another Y-plate car pulled over for driving in these lanes!

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