Okinawa info

[oyajikun]

Has anyone got any useful links on living in Okinawa. (Naha city)

I would especially like to look at houses/apartments before my move there this fall.

Thanks!

[Adhesive]

Sure; try this one

http://www.dontliveinokinawa.com

[oyajikun]

Sure]http://www.dontliveinokinawa.com[/url]

Cute

[Adhesive]

Just curious; are you moving there for military service?

[oyajikun]

[quote="Adhesive"]Just curious]
no not military

[Mike Oxlong]

Prefectual Page
Naha Page
Japan Update - classifieds, etc.

Okinawa.com & Virtualokinawa.com are also good general resources.

[GuyJean]

Has anyone got any useful links on living in Okinawa. (Naha city)

I didn't find anything specific, but some links here:
http://www.metafilter.com/mefi/37170

And sort of a blog..
http://www.internet-okinawa.com/2006/04/26/kurara-chibana-2006-miss-universe-japan/

A Delicious list:
http://del.icio.us/search/?all=okinawa

GJ

[oyajikun]

Thanks for the links!

I'm really looking forward to to going. I think I may take up scuba diving!

[inthebubble]

I have lived in Okinawa for a bit now, I would be glad to help you out in any way I can. There are not really all that many great info sites about Okinawa in English. Most of the English sites here are geared to the military guys, which doesn't help if you don't have a military ID.
You can check me out at diveokinawa.com or send me any questions you might have to dive@diveokinawa.com

I'll do my best to help with some straight info.

[Adhesive]

I've never scuba dived, but I did spend a lot of time snorkling in Okinawa, and it was great. Unlike Hawaii or other tourist places, the beaches are hardly ever crowded.

My father-in-law lived in Okinawa, so I went there a lot. To be honest, I would never want to live there. The humidity is awful. The people are relatively hostile to gaijin, and the cities are over-ran with GI's. But to each their own. Hope you enjoy it.

[oyajikun]

Thanks for the info! I'm quite used to the military kids, as I was military brat growing up, and later a civilian contractor. I have actually been living right outside of Yokota airbase for the last 6 years..

I do understand that there is alot of hostility towards Americans in that region, but again my gypsy blood is quite adaptable.

The humidity I guess, I will just have to deal with..

Where are the nicer places to live outside of Naha city? I will be working in central Naha but I am prepared to live up to 30 min away.

What is rent like? It will be myself, my wife and our daughter. I would like to live in a house rather than an apartment..

Thanks again!

[Greji]

The people are relatively hostile to gaijin

Gee, I thought it would be different from the rest of Japan. Guess not!

[Mike Oxlong]

I find the public beaches in Naha & vicinity very crowded during "official beach season", but otherwise not too bad. Popular private hotel beaches within an hour or two drive of Naha are also very crowded "in season". The northern & southern extremes are better for beaches, but you must make due without any facilities (shouldn't be a problem - the relative privacy more than makes up for it).

The humidity sucks, but November thru April is downright fine. Lower humidity, nice breezes, comparatively little rain until Feb. I find the people in general more used to and accepting of foreigners than those of Central Honshu. There are exceptions to the rule, but where aren't there...

Stay away from Okinawa City and central Okinawa if you don't like G.I.s. They come into Naha on weekends, but generally stick to Kokusai Dori and Matsuyama.

Virtual Ginza - Okinawa

[inthebubble]

I have never the whole time I have been here not found the people here to be very friendly, always offering a smile and willing to help. I was military and now I'm not, I have never experienced any hostility or negativity.
As for the humidity most people coming down from Tokyo say that it is much more humid there than here even in the middle of summer. We generally have a bit of a breeze off the ocean.

If moving here and you know you are going to work in Naha probobaly best to look for something a bit south of Naha. Itoman or something in that area. Driving south into Naha in the morning from Urasoe or Ginowan is really a pain. You will have a little more luck finding a house there too, a house in Naha will be very expensive!!

[Mike Oxlong]

Hey inthebubble,

Whatcha disagreeing with? As I said, the people are friendly compared to "mainlanders", in general (personal experience). There are crazies here, just like any other place on the planet. Spend enough time here, and you'll meet them. I lived in Central Japan for eight years (near Nagoya), and the humidity is definitely worse in Okinawa. Starts earlier in the year, lasts later in the year. On top of that, the ocean breezes all but stop in the summer, and increase in the winter (again, my experience and also the what the Okinawans tell me).

Houses can be reasonable in Naha (I rent one for about the same price I paid in the Tokai inaka). The drive into the city from north or south every morning is terrible, as all the bedroom communities are full of commuters, and there are no trains other that the tiny little monorail right in the city of Naha.