I have been to Japan a few times but not to Okinawa yet. I would love to go, but I am not sure if I have the correct idea of what to expect on the islands. First, the beaches look beautiful. I would very much love to drive around and lay on a towel on a beach and go swimming. Then drive some more and do it all again at different places. Is that even a thing in Okinawa? Sunbathing and swimming?

Then, I like small boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts, I am not into the US-style resorts at all, but from what I understood, these cultural influence are concentrated and limited to the city on the main island, is that correct? I love Japanese culture, craftmanship and food and would like to explore these things traveling around. Is Okinawa the right place for me to spend ~10 days of vacation?

tl;dr: Can anyone answer some questions or direct me to resources on Okinawan hairpins and hairstyles?

I'm interested in learning more about traditional Okinawan hairpins and hairstyles; I've been struggling to find much information on my own. If someone here could answer some questions or direct me to a resource that could help, I would appreciate it!

In particular, I'd like to find:

• Clarification on hairpin types (kanzashi, kamisashi, oshizashi/ushizashi, jīfā, sobazashi/usubazashi)
• Information on how the hair would be tied (I believe particularly looking at katakashira and kanpū?)

These are a few articles I've found helpful so far:

• https://amakuma.ryukyu/en/kanzashi-en/
• https://u-ryukyu.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/2007791 (I had to use a translator app because I do not know Japanese)

I've also tried reaching out to an Okinawan dance/culture group in Hawai'i with no success.

Thank you for any help!

Does anyone know a place that either charges car batteries or will take a trade in for a new battery? My van battery died and the man at Yellowhat told me "no charge, only new".

Unfortunately my limited japanese doesn't cover car repair. Thank you in advance.

We are at Sakieda Minami Beach on Ishigaki. Here is a tiny cat, which seems to be lost. She came running up to us and is very friendly and super clean, so I don't think she is in the wild for long.

We cannot take her with us, but we will try to organize food.

So please, if you can help us, or better, help this really cute cat, this would be much appreciated. If someone can come here you will find her easily. We could also bring here somewhere today.

All the best.

Hiya, I am traveling to Okinawa soon and I would like to get a nice thank you gift for some family friends that helped me plan out my trip. They are from Osaka so something more uniquely Okinawan would be nice, any specific awamori or tea that would be nice, or other unqiue ideas that would show their help was appreciated Thank you

I bought a cannaboid oil and a CBD no THC oil can I bring in Japan?

Hello, I was hoping someone could help explain the buses? I’m wanting to go to Naha next weekend and can’t figure out the bus maps to save my life. I can start around AV if that helps. Thanks in advance!

Hiii i need a little knowledge about working here am a moroccan girl who is married to a local am interested in working in base but since am not american and am not japanese i dont know if that possible? Also i heard payment is soo little in base for locals (sorry if am mistaken) i can understand a bit of japanese but my speaking is not great am not sure i can get a job outbase with my english ( i speak other languages but they are useless here )please help me i have no idea what to do

Do you guys have any restaurant tips for Yomitan, Gima?

Thanks a lot

Looking at flights to Thailand for vacation, but the cheapest flights all have connections in Shanghai or Hong Kong. Can an American with SOFA status who works on base travel to China, even if just for a short flight connection?

I am prior military, but no longer active-duty if adds context to why I’m unsure about it.

Hello everyone, we're a group of three friends traveling Okinawa during Halloween. Do you know any tourists-friendly Halloween Partys near Naha?

I’ll be bringing a group of 24 high school students and 11 adults to Okinawa next April for a 5-night stay, and I’m looking for creative, budget-friendly accommodation options. We don’t need full amenities—just floor space for sleeping. We’re fine with renting futons and can manage without kitchens or showers on-site.

Any suggestions or local connections that could help?

Hi all, Does anyone know if I can buy the new iPhone 16 Pro somewhere in Okinawa? Thank you very much for your help

Hello! I'm planning to travel to Okinawa for maybe 4 to 5 days next year. Will I be able to survive going to places without a car? I can't drive hence cannot rent either.

Also, any suggestions for places to visit?

Thanks in advance!

Hey guys I was wondering if there is any luggage storage in Motobu? Specifically near the aquarium? I check out the BnB at 10 am but the bus to Naha is departing at 3pm. Hence I need to find a place to store my luggage in between. Thanks!

Hi everyone, we will arrive in Okinawa on November 1st and are looking for an affordable rental car for 5 days. Do you have any recommendations for us? How much do we have to pay in average? Thank you 🙏🏻

I plan on visiting Okinawa soon and maybe living there for a bit. Most likely Naha. I'm worried about encountering multi legged insects like spiders, millipedes, centipedes, roaches, gekkos. I don't mind seeing them outside, just not near my space.

How common are those in the household?

How do you deal with them in the house?

thanks

I’m scheduled to fly from Haneda to Ishigaki on October 28, and then from Ishigaki to Naha on November 2. I’ll be staying at the ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort during my time there.

However, I’m getting really concerned about the possibility of a typhoon affecting the area during my stay. I know Ishigaki can be pretty vulnerable to these storms, and I’m wondering if I should cancel or stick to my plans.

Has anyone experienced being in Ishigaki during a typhoon? Are there any specific safety tips or preparations I should be aware of while staying at the resort? In addition, any suggestions on what to do during rainy/windy days in Ishigaki? I’ll be renting a car, but a little scared to drive in Japan for the first time during a typhoon as well (I’m from the States)

Thanks!

What was happening on kokusai dori this afternoon (sunday) There was a stage and reporters and lots of men giving speeches - but there were blocks and blocks of karate students all ages , gender, belts ?

Hello, does anyone know if there is designated parking for オートバイ at costco? I know it may sound strange to take a bike there but when you don't have a car...

I am interested in studying Buddhism, learning darmha and possibly becoming part of a sangha here in Okinawa. Unfortunately, I am completely new to this (except for reading and listening to online lessons)and have no idea where I can find a teacher or how to approach them. Any sincere advice on where I can find such a teacher and how to ask for guidance is appreciated. I am still trying to learn which school is better for me (Theravada or Mahayana).

Thank you.🙏

The view of the Falls was amazing, but carrying my camera and my gear absolutely sucked, considering the water was beyond waist deep at some spots.

Is there a badminton gym near Ginowan area? I wanna get back into badminton but wasn't sure if there is a gym like in the states that i can just pay an entry fee and play for however long i want to.

My girlfriend and I are headed to Okinawa next week and I'd love some feedback on our itinerary. We're flight attendants, so we plan to spend nine days there, but you never know how flights turn out until you're there.

0: We will arrive in HND at 3 p.m. We will either spend the night there or try to hop a flight to OKA that evening. If we can't get to OKA that night, we'll get there on a morning flight.

1: Explore Naha. Kokusai Dori, Shujiro Castle, etc...

2: Peace Memorial Park, The market, maybe take a ferry to a nearby island for a beach day

3: Rental car day 1. Cape Kyan, Hotel in Nago.

4: Churaumi Aquarium

5: Yanbaru National Park all-day

6: Return the car and get to Ishigaki (Not sure if flying is best or if we can take a ferry.

7: Iriomote Island. Excited to see wildlife and kayak. Probably spend the night here.

8: Back to Ishigaki for more beach and food.

9: Last day probably in Naha, maybe in Ishigaki

10-14: Flex days. Probably head back to Tokyo for a few days, but maybe one more in Naha before then if we feel inclined.

I'd love to hear your feedback on our trip. We plan to see Okinawa World and Pineapple Park somewhere in there. Are we rushing things too hard? Will we be bored with so much time? What are your underappreciated recommendations? I assume we probably need a car in Ishigaki, but would a bicycle work? Maybe a scooter?