How to live off base in OKINAWA, Japan

[@rayva1]

It’s a very enriching experience living off base. As far as multicultural immersion, the University of Maryland offers Japanese classes, and there are cheaper schools off base that offer lessons in Japanese conversation. When you get to meet some of the locals around, you’ll be surprised to learn of their background. Just because some of the locals look and speak Japanese, a lot of them are hakujin and speak just as fluently in English. Okinawa by far has a community where the locals are warm and welcoming. I was fortunate enough to work off base just right outside Kadena gate in Koza city. 😀

[@BradiKal61]

My dad was in the USAF in 1971 when we moved to Okinawa for two years. we lived offbase in Ishikawa for the first year, up on a cliff over the ocean and in the second year on Bong Drive onbase. In the Ishikawa house we never even had a phone, and that was not unheard of back then. I missed the schoolbus home from the Kadena Middle school one day and it wasnt until my sister got home that my mom knew she had to drive to the base to find me. there was a typhoon in 1971? when we were off base that was really impressive. the wind screamed a 80 mph and really made the powerlines scream. the driving rain blasted under the front door like there was fire hose aimed at it

[@MrCrazysteve1]

Great video! Lots of good info.

[@morghanwalsh411]

Super helpful, tips for phone plan??

[@japansofar]

Japan has 2 major carriers AU and Softbank. Rates are similar to the states. There is good coverage on the island for 4G so you should have no issues with GPS or networks. The more phones you have on a plan, the less expensive the data will be per user. I use AU because I am on my wife's family's phone plan. But I used Softbank when I lived in Tokyo. Had no issues with either. Hope this helps.

[@kennethrollerson4898]

Thanks ! Super helpful!

[@japansofar]

Thank you

[@JessLuc-FlUS]

@@japansofar I shared this video to my daughter. Thank you for the information.

[@japansofar]

@@JessLuc-FlUS I hope they find it helpful.

[@faizannehal1]

Do you have any ghost story to share from Kadena?

[@japansofar]

Well, no ghosts yet. When I live in Tokyo we camped in the Aokigahara Forest (aka Suicide Forest) near Mt. Fuji. We saw some really freaky stuff…..

[@faizannehal1]

@@japansofar what type of stuff, suicides or something else? Btw I was asking specifically about Kadena because I am getting a lot of recommendations on supernatural events at Kadena. Many people have experienced things there.

[@japansofar]

@@faizannehal1 We heard a lot of noises, screaming, strange figures appeared in the pics we took with a digital camera. We found suicide notes, vials of blood, underwear, really old dolls….all kinds of strange things out in the woods. There are a lot of places in Okinawa said to have high levels of spiritual activity due to this islands history. But I have never seen it myself.

[@clarissemeim6938]

Hi, can you choose the option of living off post instead of on post?

[@japansofar]

It depends on the current occupancy rate on post. Also pay grade/TIS. When you get to Okinawa you will be given a housing orientation that lets you know what options are available at that time.

[@JEDIAL9]

@@japansofar Thanks for the video. Question: if you're a veteran, like yourself, who's received a job offer in Oki, can you get base housing in lieu of off base as a single resident? Or, is single residency also dependent on availability and active military? Thanks again!

[@japansofar]

@@JEDIAL9 Thank you for watching. To address your question, in most cases military housing is restricted to Active Duty. There are some G-S positions that include housing but those are special circumstances. But if you are coming as a non government employee, then no you would have to find off installation housing.

[@JEDIAL9]

@@japansofar Thanks.

[@danyosilva]

Is it possible to live in okinawa without speaking japanese?

[@japansofar]

It is possible. But I'd recommend knowing a little. Most jobs here will require you to speak Japanese at a basic level. Some places hire English speakers to work in places that cater to foreigners. There are also US Jobs here for DoD operations within the country.

[@gregh7457]

@@japansofar i've applied for a handful of jobs at the bases there in okinawa and never heard anything back. I'm thinking they only hire local. On base i wouldn't see a need for much japanese language but i may be wrong. I'de like to know what exactly it takes to get a job on base there. I have 10 years prior federal service but its only excepted service

[@japansofar]

@@gregh7457 There are a lot of opportunities here. It’s not only local hires. It’s heavily depends on skills, experience, networking etc… If you want, shoot me a message on LI.

[@gregh7457]

@@japansofar I'm specifically looking for usa federal service. I retired at a too early age and didn't qualify for the medical insurance in retirement. I only need 18 additional months of service. obamacare is pretty bad to have to rely on. I'm in hawaii and am sitting on a big gain in housing prices and i'm paranoid as hell prices are going back down and was thinking of selling. My wife is from japan too so there are a lot of reasons for me to cash out here

[@rayva1]

@@gregh7457 the best thing to do is live in Okinawa for the first few months to establish some kind of residency, and then apply for their positions on base.