Okinawa Japan: 23 Things to DO & KNOW! | Watch Before You Go!

[@jemreandeau3583]

I miss Okinawa, sometimes I dream about it. I was there with my husband in 1979, he was in the Air Force. It’s amazing to see how the island has built up into a tourist destination. We spent every weekend looking for quiet beaches, climbing the coral cliffs, and walking out on the reefs. The food was amazing. We lived off base and had a view of the sea from our apartment. I would love to return as a tourist.

[@PapaJerms]

I was stationed there from ‘09-13. My soul literally hurts anytime I watch a video or hear something about Okinawa. I miss it so much. Wish I could go back and live there for a while.

[@ptaylor9000]

I miss Okinawa so much. I was stationed there for a year when I was in the Marine Corps. It was great to see so many of my favorite places once again. There are a few places that I did not see that I was hoping to, but since your time on the island was limited, I understand. At least you had the opportunity to visit the Aquarium at the Expo Center. That was my favorite!!!

[@ozzy78]

Yah. I definitely need to go back and see more. Especially the beaches and smaller islands

[@NicolasRodriguez-zm8sm]

Did three tours myself , first tour the EXPO of 75 was there and able to see , the people are the nicest then regular Japanese .

[@jenniferxia5512]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKCzYWNrZppjga8

[@fishguts4247]

@@NicolasRodriguez-zm8sm Did two tours. 77-78, 80-81. On my bucket list to go back and eat the best yakisoba in the world, and maybe down a few Kirins with some young Jarheads.

[@caden.radosta]

thank you for ur service

[@Ckawauchi35]

Being half Okinawan, I lived there for 15 yrs back in the 80's-90's. Thanks for your video--right on the spot! My husband and I are contemplating retiring there soon.

[@VB1Koach]

I was stationed in Okinawa twice. I honestly think the northern part of Oki is the best part. Everything is more traditional. Before my first tour my dad told me something that has definitely enhanced my experience during my tours. "When in Rome, do what the Romans do." Being 'gaijin' it helped when they knew you were trying to learn the language. I even learned how to write Hiragana and Katagana with the help of northern locals. When I retire in a couple of years, I'm thinking of taking a trip back to see how much Oki has changed and how much is the same! Sayonara!!!

[@ozzy78]

Wow. Great okinawa experience! 💖

[@Ckawauchi35]

You will be lost! It is so different now. Some bases are gone and given up for the Prefecture. USAF are building more towards the north. Lester Hospital has been moved and made bigger, part of Camp Kinser became a long tunnel to ease out the horrible traffic, and there are more resort hotels built on H-58. Some changes are disappointing and some are just an amazement to behold. Of course, I missed the old OKA and hoped to see that one where I had the best times of my life. I left the Island in the early 90's and went back to visit my relatives for the first time in 2015. My husband and I will be going back there for good in a few yrs. Between the Philippines and OKA, I opted for OKA for its beauty, the ocean and beaches, the healthier food (lots of seafood- yumm!), safety and security, the military bases, the kind, respectful culture, etc. We are getting the best of all worlds! I hope you will have the best time on your next trip there!

[@VB1Koach]

@@Ckawauchi35 Thanks Mariko San for the update. I left OKI early 80's and just know from Marines who been there after me. It's so changed from when I was there. I so want to return to see the changes!!!

[@yootoober2009]

you mean Katakana?

[@CeceElyssia]

I used to live here when I was younger! I miss it so much I wanna go back so bad!

[@newtrabbitman1999]

This is really good thanks! I'm moving to Okinawa next year, so this information was useful

[@Star_909]

My mother in law grew up here. So beautiful it’s basically the Hawaii in Japan!

[@briandaniel7514]

I grew up for 4 years back in the mid to late 80's when I was a child while my dad was stationed there... My favorite memories ever are still there

[@ozzy78]

Wow. It must have been an awesome childhood living in paradise. 😍

[@eme6729]

Thank you this was the best and most informative video I've seen thus far on Okinawa! Going this May 🤗

[@joycehackett8078]

I use to work there way back 2001 I miss the foods, shopping, culture...I hope will go back again

[@pegasiataiwan8536]

great place, one hour flight from us. We will post our own videos

[@sirnicholibraden86]

Time to get over that diving fear and do a video on it mate... :D

[@vulang2349]

I've been to that sushi place when our ship pulled in a few days before Halloween 2019. Probably the best sushi I have ever had!

[@Kaygee79]

Way to break down the things to do in Okinawa. Makes me want to go back and check out the things we missed. I guess I pretty much expressed a similar sentiment at the end of the video! So still feel that way. Lets do this again one day! And thanks for having me as the special guest! :)

[@Kimjongun19841]

im going to okinawa in a couple days I CANT WAIT

[@GustavoRodriguez-qr5po]

Thank you dear leader for showing IMPERIALIST your great honor. #Thank

[@Kimjongun19841]

Gustavo Rodriguez i order you to have your holiday there It was awesome

[@Kimjongun19841]

Potato ごのひ Chips how about camp 1st for some re educate

[@animelover4life5]

Great video! I’ve always wanted to go to Okinawa. Thanks for sharing some of the history and sites to visit, very interesting 👍🏽

[@mr.andmrs.dailylives]

Okinawa is just such a perfect place to experience different aspects of Japan! Thanks for the video

[@ozzy78]

I totally agree!

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

Oki looks beautiful!! I wish I could have gone beyond White Beach and actually explore the islands, but it was pretty much a gas stop for us when I was in the Navy 😭⛵

[@ozzy78]

Will you be heading over on this coming trip?

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

@@ozzy78 - Not sure yet, but I'd love to during a break!

[@jenniferxia5512]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKCzYWNrZppjga8

[@DroppyToppy]

I was in okinawa back in late 90s and I really do miss that shipwreck playground with zip line rope lol

[@caitlinhennessy5399]

Literally wearing my blue seal ice cream shirt as I watch this😂

[@suwanatatnina]

Thank you for a wonderful Video.

[@astroboy3507]

Little Hawaii!!! Nice vid!!! 👍

[@Kimjongun19841]

Better than Hawaii

[@spookymonkey8162]

@@Kimjongun19841 didnt you die

[@Kimjongun19841]

Spooky Monkey no I didn’t

[@theglobalcitizenship]

Thank you so much for sharing your take of Okinawa. I have a project given to me via Rakuten Travel and Okinawa Tourism Bureau to create a guide and so watching creative content like yours gives me an understanding of what people would usually do and inspires me to target things from a different angle. I am glad to see content creators get around and still flourish despite the circumstances that be, albeit, done safely! Keep doing you!

[@ozzy78]

Wow. Goodluck on your project. Hope it goes well. Thanks for watching and the kind words.

[@theglobalcitizenship]

@@ozzy78 > The honour is mine. I got a few places in mind when I pop in so I'll draft these with the Okinawa Tourism Government and go from there. Thank you!

[@jenniferxia5512]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKCzYWNrZppjga8

[@bcgrote]

So much more to do than when I was there in 1986! But still gorgeous. I recall going to a place that might have been the aquarium, but at that time it was shows with trained dolphins and even a beluga whale! It was all outdoors then. Some friends had cars, but I took the bus frequently. I remember when they built the one highway back then, in a few months it was through an entire mountain, and by the time I left it was nearly finished! I learned Japanese there, and yes, there are some different words. And foods! They have these oranges, but the skin is green when it is ripe, and inside, so sweeet! We actually had them in the chow hall even though they are a "specialty fruit" now!

[@ozzy78]

Amazing time! Wish i had seen the okinawa of then.

[@bradfordspencer4312]

Shikwasa...they also sold cans of shikwasa juice in the vending machines. Blended nicely with awamori!

[@arcticblue2]

Sesoko used to be so much nicer before the resort hotels took interest in it and cut off access to the best beaches.

[@planningwithdalia6035]

True fact: my father is mexican & my great grandfather is Japanese and from Okinawa.

[@Ed-yj1ep]

Just watched Onizuka take his students here so now I'm interested 😅

[@momo-katsu-channel]

Nice video.I live in okinawa☺️I proud of okinawa.

[@Kimjongun19841]

You should be It was awesome

[@latoyadale5747]

I love Okinawa❤️ I was there for 2 years... People were nice, crime rate low, and you feel safe.

[@ozzy78]

Sounds about right. I hope to go there again someday!

[@latoyadale5747]

@@ozzy78 That would be great!☺️

[@JoseJeuland]

Very nice video - so much thing to do in Okinawa

[@HIROKITRAVELS]

Wow! Beautiful! Nice video!! I also travel Vlog from japan 🇯🇵 Thanks!

[@andyhwell8419]

I miss living in Okinawa. You gotta hit Meada point. !

[@ozzy78]

Thanks! Will definitely check it out the next time I am there.

[@LOSSYLADYBUG]

I’ve been there on 2007 and have dinner in 1 restaurant cannot remember the name, we try best dish and it was crocodile meat , really suprise because we eat first than ask them what it is heheh

[@ozzy78]

Wow. I want to try it too!

[@johnmarengo3919]

What time of year was this filmed, did I miss that? We are planning to visit in March, 2023.

[@ozzy78]

This was actually in the summer. August near the end of the month.

[@Sakura.Lilly.W]

Also go see Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum

[@yootoober2009]

It may also have been the birthplace of the Kamikaze concept of warfare.. I was "stationed" there as a civilian from 1970 to 1973 as a civilian house band in Henoko, Kin, and Koza City... I came back as an Airman assigned to the 18TFW in 1976 to 1979 with 18FMS... It was a great place to be at... the worst of it was once waking up and suddenly having to drive on the left side of the road! It was scary but fun..

[@andriana5311]

Very nice video!~

[@cazvega]

A pork breed native to Okinawa is called "agu," which, according to connoisseurs, has a meat quality superior to most pork currently on the market, with its marbled meat having sweetness to it and its fat with plenty of umami.

[@MelhadoDanny]

and we can surf too!! :)

[@cazvega]

You missed Umikaji Terrace Senagajima and the ryukyu onsen to see the sunset

[@ozzy78]

Thanks for all the extra info!!

[@pegasiataiwan8536]

great place, one hour flight from us. We will post our own videos

[@duyenle327]

Isn't 850yen is $8.5 USD? I think it's not that expensive. Now it is 1,880 yen/adults.. around $18 USD.

[@patman1416]

The alcohol with the snake is called habu sake. It's made with the habu snake, an extremely poisonous snake on the island. The story behind it is that that slight venom that is released from the snake in the alcohol is said to have an affect on your liver which increases the the feeling of intoxication on the body.

[@ozzy78]

Wow. Thanks for the added information. I didn't know that!

[@cvqttyy]

It feels so good after seeing my favourite places after a year 😌 I went there last year of August, the most memorable place is the biggest swimming pool in Okinawa, it’s so big that it’s so much fun lol Edit: oh and, most of the places I visited are also in vid, feels so good lol Scariest thing I did was touching star fishes in the aquarium 😂😂😂

[@ozzy78]

Wow. Where was the big swimming pool. I want to visit it someday

[@cvqttyy]

@OzzyAwesome, not sure where, but the name of it is: Comprehensive swimming pool

[@cvqttyy]

@OzzyAwesome, nvm, searched it online, located in Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic park

[@MultiKaputtmacher]

i cant speak a single word japanese, can i still go there? like ordering food in a restaurant

[@ozzy78]

Yes! Actually my friend who knows zero Japanese is there now.

[@trafficsignal101]

All the menus have pictures. Just point to what you want. When you get your food, it will look just like the picture and be just as good as it looks.

[@leonybaculi1701]

What a nice videos myla

[@sammiesosa777]

Is it warm in January? Like warm enough to go to the beach?

[@ozzy78]

It is pretty warm in winter but not hot. You can go to the beach and be outdoors with light clothing but probably a little to cool for swimming. The good thing is January is actually good for cherry blossoms. If you are looking for tropical weather than around May is the best

[@tamarazi]

Amazing island, makes me jelouse tho :( an one question, will you have discord server?

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Great!✌️

[@Iamkitkatbar]

You might want to cross Shuri castle off the list

[@ozzy78]

True. Sad about the fire.

[@cazvega]

🦁Shisa (シーサー, Shīsā, Okinawan: shiisaa) is a traditional Ryukyuan cultural artifact and decoration derived from Chinese guardian lions, often seen in similar pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. Shisa are wards, believed to protect from some evils.

[@mariannestover]

🤘🤘This video is awesome🤘🤘

[@KiNGACAPELLA]

Great video guys, but please buy a camera stabilizer..

[@ozzy78]

Yes. Thanks for the comment. Actually i ended up getting a dji osmo shortly after that trip. 😅

[@theoneandonlypinkypinky8245]

The entrance feee is super cheap by US standards. We pay 50 a day for parking in NYC and also in parts of Honolulu. Seeing a world famous aquarium for less than parking is pretty good! I have read different things but is the aquarium and Okinawa in general handicapped accessible? Or are there alot of stairs and no elevators like other places in Japan?

[@ozzy78]

I am not 100% sure but i am pretty sure there are elevators and ramps to most places in the aquarium and surrounding area.

[@theoneandonlypinkypinky8245]

@@ozzy78 Thank you so much!

[@Chris-dw6cu]

yes it's a good price for sure but unfortunately since most tourists need to take the bus up there from naha and back, when you add the ticket prices in, etc. it ends up being just as much if not more than many US aquariums

[@arcticblue2]

Oh man, and the habu sake...good idea on not trying that. I had it once and I honestly can't remember a thing from the rest of that night.

[@Johntb100]

Крым - Украина Сибирь - Китай Курилы, Сахалин - Япония Карелия - Финляндия Калининград - Германия Donetsk is Ukraine

[@daviseverywhere]

What is the restaurant name of the revolving sushi ?

[@ozzy78]

Gurume conveyor belt sushi

[@606pretty]

YES 👍 THANK YOU ONE OF 5 BLUE ZONES I'D LIKE TO VISIT😃

[@hanishsareen]

Ozzzzyawesome awesome awesome awesome :😊

[@Shortofheight]

Thanks for sharing! Is parking free or easy to understand there?

[@ozzy78]

Yes many places are free. Some places especially tourist spots have charge parking but the lots are spacious and easy to navigate.

[@emarceeqem4715]

5:20 I don't mean to phrase this as a criticism, but I nonetheless feel it was a big oversight to not mention that you can EAT next to the tank :O

[@ozzy78]

good point!

[@craigemery8422]

Camp Schwab holding it down.

[@CreatureFeatureRlz]

Ah Shuri Castle is on this list... RIP

[@ozzy78]

Yes that was sad news.

[@charlesgarrett7766]

I told my grandfather that people in Okinawa live longer than anyone in the world, he answered "nobody was living long when i was there"

[@ozzy78]

I don't know how to respond to that. Wow.

[@Chris-dw6cu]

what does that mean?

[@Angelique218]

Sorry, I didn't catch the name of the restaurant with a conveyor belt you went to for sushi.

[@ozzy78]

Gurume Conveyor Belt Sushi

[@plushpg1380]

I only know and wish to go there because of my favorite anime blood plus

[@trollyoplays425]

I live in Okinawa.

[@ozzy78]

You are so lucky!!😍

[@trafficsignal101]

Thanks for the great video. It brought back a bunch of great memories. Being from the US I would not recommend renting a car. The traffic is crazy, and they drive on the wrong side of the road. It took me months to build up the courage to drove off the base. The cabs were clean, cheap, and everywhere. Also there is no tipping anywhere. I am surprised you didn't show on of the awesome restaurants that cook you steak, lobster, veggies, and rice right in front of you. It was 20 years ago when I was there, so I am sure things have changed. But I bet they still drive like idiots.

[@vcrazy_diamond]

They still do lol

[@silentbwoy]

12:35 WHO HOLDS THEIR SPOON LIKE THAT?!?!?

[@ukgladiatorsfan]

Okinawa was one of the places I was going to visit in 2020 But then covid happened

[@ozzy78]

Hopefully this year will be the year

[@catt6726]

Another fact about american village: It has snow cones that are, like, 3-4 time bigger than my head.

[@ozzy78]

Wow. Ok. Another reason to return!

[@Hannsfeld]

Habu Juice!

[@barneystinson2775]

Damn i miss okinawa so much 😍😍😍

[@ozzy78]

I know right. Okinawa is legen...wait for it...dary. haha

[@jenniferxia5512]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKCzYWNrZppjga8

[@tiffgibbs_]

I saw my nail salon in this video! Lol

[@ozzy78]

Haha. Really! What time in the video. I should rewatch it.

[@sonnydacuse7622]

Didn't you just go to Okinawa with your friend?

[@ozzy78]

Yes. We went last year. But i thought it would be more helpful to put our trip in a easy to do format for people interested in going!

[@wkksjews2684]

Did u ha[pen to see my old house

[@ozzy78]

Yes. It was quite nice. You kept it in good condition. 👍😁

[@abeardwithtattoos]

Kill Bill?! ... How about Karate Kid pt 2! Now that’s classic!

[@ozzy78]

You win!

[@pogjuice2182]

Filmed in Oahu, Hawaii

[@abeardwithtattoos]

Well if that ain’t a kick in the dick..

[@moxigeren50gabe23]

How can i get there from Taiwan?

[@ozzy78]

Probably best to go taiwan to tokyo then transfer to okinawa.

[@DogzCanGrowBeardz]

Swim

[@ngming321]

sauce at 0:45?

[@ngming321]

4:19 as well. thanks

[@oyoyoyo7624]

Hi! What’s the name of the song that starts @2:39 ? Thx

[@ozzy78]

It's called Melody of Old by Ann Harris! Thanks for watching!

[@oyoyoyo7624]

@@ozzy78 🙏🏾

[@Yer_Da_]

Beautiful place - but honestly that meal with the singers looked a bit awkward

[@ozzy78]

Lol. Kind of. But we talked with them afterwards and they were pretty cool. And used to performing at that restaurant.haha

[@TKGZONE]

Cool something I'll try out when I'm in Japan again. Was wondering how much a day is it to rent out a car? They ask for international license?

[@ozzy78]

Depending on the company you can get a car for about 30 bucks a day. I have a Japanese license but I am not sure if International license is okay. It depends on the company you use. The bigger companies like toyota rental and times rental are okay with international license holders.

[@astroboy3507]

OzzyAwesome yeh Toyota are normally fine with international!!!

[@kylok34]

Watching Saiki K brought me here

[@ozzy78]

Welcome to Team Ozsome!

[@josecobianandrade8038]

Cobra Kai!!!! And Karate Kid Part II

[@user-xc7us7ni3v]

Дак они на английском что-ли шпарят?

[@aureen5]

People are calling Okinawa Okayama

[@kassiani644]

my sister lives there she is in the navy so... teheh

[@ozzy78]

Wow. Lucky girl.

[@kassiani644]

@@ozzy78 :)

[@eydapena5103]

Web joyas Metayantra

[@brianrajala7671]

Does not resemble the ZZOkinawa of 1965-66!

[@user-cj1ip1bo4z]

Please don’t visit Aquarium 🙏🙏🙏🙏 poor dolphins and all sea creatures want to live in the sea or oceans but not be used to entertain people!! 😢😢😢

[@gradiu3rox]

And then there was covid...

[@ozzy78]

Yup.

[@Spokamon]

Free Ryukyu！Ryukyu not 🇯🇵

[@tornatore44]

Smallest of the Japanese islands??? Cmon man do some research first because that’s false. The ryuku chain is part of japan which makes shikoku the smallest. Got 10 seconds in and already not a fan. Nothing personal just business. I was stationed there for 10 years and my wife’s from there so there’s my background on it.

[@ozzy78]

Hey. Thanks for watching and commenting. And I am sorry you are not a fan. I really enjoyed my trip to Okinawa and wanted to share my experiences. Actually I just went back last month. About your complaint, I don't know if you are wrong or right and I lived 4 years in Nagoya, 2 years in Hokkaido and 8 years in Chiba so not too familiar with Southern Japan. But from Wikipedia it says of the 5 main islands of Japan Shikoku is the second smallest and Okinawa is the smallest. If that is not accurate than maybe take that up with Wikipedia. Either way, I loved both of my trips to Okinawa and hopefully will go back.

[@ghzhammer]

Don’t forget go with a girlfriend :p

[@astroboy3507]

Ryan Ash he's trying he's trying!! Just kidding Ryan!!! ✌️

[@arcticblue2]

#1 thing to do right now is stay home! Please do not come to Okinawa right now...even Governor Tamaki is begging people not to come. The locals are pretty pissed off about the expected 60,000 people coming for Golden Week.

[@ozzy78]

Yes I agree I went to okinawa last summer, made this video before Coronavirus was an epidemic and recommend all people travel after things in the world are more under control Thanks for your comment!

[@arcticblue2]

@@ozzy78 Oh yeah, wasn't trying to imply you made this video recently. Your video consistently comes up in the top 3 results every time I search "okinawa" on KZbin (I like to play live videos of scenery or the airport for ambience on a second monitor so I search "okinawa" often) and I figured I'd leave a comment given what's going on now. I'm in the middle of moving back to Okinawa permanently, but currently stuck. My wife and kids are already there, but I'm stuck in the US until all this is over. I worry about them every day especially with GW coming up so it's a topic I'm following closely.