One day after the rainy season was declared over in Okinawa, I was walking on the boardwalk by the Mihama American Village, still unable to embrace the unusually early arrival of the summer.

If you go to Gate 2 Street near Kadena AB regularly, Tesio may already be on your radar.This shop dedicated to specialty German-style sausages, has garnered much media attention since it opened in 2017.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, climbs into a HH-60W Jolly Green II before his final sortie with the 33rd Rescue Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

Summer is considered a spooky season in Japan and Okinawa. Locals seek a chill through Kimodameshi (test of guts) in an effort to have a break from the steamy heat.

I will still occasionally go off the rails for a special hamburger like I did at BURGER’S TIME IMUA in Chatan, Okinawa.

At the heart of every island breeze, jungle trail, airstrip and hangar across Okinawa, there’s a common thread of connection, care and commitment—it’s the presence of USO Okinawa.

There are many taco joints on Okinawa, but Mexico is arguably one of the most famous. Since its debut in 1977, this joint has been known for serving only one simple menu item: “taco.”

Chuka Soba Tsuki no Akari is a sleek shop on Gate 2 Street that is popular and familiar to Kadena residents and employees.

This summer, the Okinawa Suntory Arena will be serenaded by some big rap, R&B and pop artists for Afro Jam Festival 2025 running July 17-20.

Atsushi Matsuda, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Okinawa physical science technician, extracts JP-8 fuel under a fume hood during testing near Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2025.