Upon hearing the words “Honey, we are PCSing to okinawa,” the mind begins to race and your emotions go on a roller coaster ride. First, elation, “WOW!!! We are moving overseas!” Then, sadness, “Wow, I’ll be leaving everyone… AGAIN.” Then reality sets in, “Wow!! I have so much to do!!!” Well, I can’t jump for joy with you, wipe away your tears or tell the movers to be more careful with your things, but what I can do is give you some ideas on how to make a tour on okinawa a wonderful experience from my own experiences here. You have probably heard the saying “Your tour is what you make of it.” I thought it was corny personally, but when I moved here I realized IT”S TRUE!!! So here goes! I have compiled what I call my okinawa Top Ten and here it is.

TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOUR TOUR ON okinawa GREAT!

#10. INVEST IN TUPPERWARE!!!
Do it before you leave the U.S. as it is a little more expensive here. Make sure you have some packed in your express shipment so you will have it right away (especially if you aren’t in housing). okinawa has very high humidity throughout the year. Unless your food is kept in an airtight container the moisture WILL get into it. I personally recommend all dry foods be kept in Tupperware.

#9. READ UP ON OKINAWAN CULTURE AND TRADITION
From “shi-sa” guardians to tea ceremonies to “shichigosan,” the Okinawan culture holds a bounty of education and experience. Just like the Okinawan people, their traditions and ceremonies are peaceful and beautiful. The more you know about Okinawan culture the more likely you will be to want to experience it for yourself. You will also be less likely to offend anyone as it is very easy to offend someone if you know nothing about his or her culture. So learn about it and make a note to go to and enjoy all of the festivals, dances and performances going on throughout the year!

#8. ACT APPROPRIATELY
This one ties in with #9 in that in many instances to act appropriately you must know about Japanese customs. For instance, knowing that leaving chopsticks standing up in uneaten food is considered extremely offensive to Okinawans as it resembles the same action taken place at the ceremony of the dead, you would never do that, right? Right!! In most cases it is just plain common sense. When in okinawa act as you would expect someone to behave in your own home. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you would act like this in front of ________? Fill in the blank with the C.O., your mom, your kids, God etc. And always remember you are an ambassador for the United States. What the Okinawan people see you do affects their opinion of all Americans.

#6. UTILIZE YOUR FAMILY SERVICE/SUPPORT CENTER!!
The Family Service Center (FSC) is a great resource to all military personnel stationed here, not just families but singles too! They offer classes on a wide variety of topics from Japanese language and culture, arts, crafts, calligraphy and even balancing your checkbook! They also offer (and this is great!) relocation and transition services. From loaning you pots and pans until your stuff gets here to helping you find an apartment, job and daycare! Their friendly staff will be there to answer any questions you may have.

#5. UTILIZE MCCS AND KADENA 18TH SERVICES
As many of you are already familiar with these organizations, you know these are the people to go to for fun!!!! If you want to rent a cabin at the beautiful DOD resorts at Okuma or White Beach or get some camping equipment or go on one of the dozens of tours offered on okinawa, these are the people to see! Not a weekend goes by without some kind of activity. It may be a free Beach Boys concert or a free family day with free rides and food or maybe just a scavenger hunt – the military services are fantastic on okinawa!!!

#4. READ!!!!!!!
Read your base paper. Read your local English/Japanese papers, like Japan Update. Read the Stars and Stripes newspaper and be sure to read okinawa Living, it is a monthly magazine put out by MCCS island wide. I guarantee if you read these you will never have a dull day in okinawa, unless of course there is a typhoon. They always have listings of local events. okinawa Living also has articles every month on great places to go, to eat, to see and enjoy. They also give great directions, which you will come to appreciate since for all of the streets that actually have signs, most are written in Japanese!

#3. EAT!! EAT!! EAT!!
Japanese and Okinawan dishes are delicious!!! No, it isn’t all raw fish!!! And no, it’s not all fish, either!!! Even if you go out to eat and hate your dish, (this will never happen!) you will have to say you enjoyed yourself! With Teppanyaki restaurants where they cook your meal at your table and traditional Okinawan restaurants with wonderful almost intoxicating atmosphere, you will be sure to love it all!!! There are so many different dishes that you WILL find at LEAST ONE that you will fall in love with and miss terribly when you leave.

#2. LEARN TO SPEAK JAPANESE
It isn’t as hard as it sounds! And no, no-one expects you to be fluent, although that would be great! Japanese language classes are offered at many different facilities all around the island. My children are learning just from hearing my husband and I around the house! Just remember you have to use it to know it! Having Okinawan friends who speak English are a bonus too. Not only do you get to practice your Japanese you now have a wonderful friend who can tell you that you just called your loved one a worm by accident!!! Learning Japanese will also help you get around a lot easier as well. Trust me, at some point you will have to ask the question, “Excuse me please, where is there a bathroom?”

AND THE #1 THING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOUR TOUR ON okinawa GREAT is:
ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!
Take it easy, go with the flow and try to experience all okinawa has to offer. You will always be thankful you did!

By  Colleen R.