PCSing to Okinawa?

We have just what you need to make this PCS to Okinawa easy and smooth.

This 57+ page guide has everything you need to know as you prepare to move to this beautiful island.

  • Packing List and Timeline
  • PCS Binder recommendations
  • Passports and Overseas Screening
  • Pet Shipping
  • Patriot Express
  • Housing
  • Schools
  • Sports and Activities

  • Grocery shopping
  • Purchasing Vehicles
  • Getting your driver’s license
  • Base resources
  • Working in Okinawa
  • Things to do in Okinawa
  • Travel tips outside of Okinawa

GET THE GUIDE HERE

PCS Okinawa Guide

PCSing to Okinawa?

We have just what you need to make this PCS to Okinawa easy and smooth.

This 57+ page guide has everything you need to know as you prepare to move to this beautiful island.

PCS Okinawa Guide

Cable and Cell Phones while Stationed in Okinawa

One of the most common questions we often see on Facebook groups is "what do I do with my cell phone when I'm stationed in Okinawa?" and "how do streaming services work in Okinawa?" Cable and cell phones while stationed in Okinawa take a few extra steps but it's...

Homeschooling in Okinawa

If you are a homeschooling family, you may be worried about what your options are when moving to Okinawa. However, homeschooling in Okinawa is really quite simple. There are no requirements, guidelines or oversight in order to homeschool here. In fact, there are a ton...

Get Cheap Items at Marine Thrift Shops!

Thrift Shopping is definitely a passion of mine. While having four kids, the ability to go to the marine thrift shop and off base thrift stores has helped me tremendously save on items for my constantly growing children and family. The two main thrift stores on island...

The Sponsor Program in Okinawa and What They Should be Doing to Help

The sponsor program in Okinawa is a program designed to give you and your family a go-to person during your transition to the island. Most of the time, sponsors are people who are assigned to do this by their command team. Most of them don't even take a class or have...

The Best Coffee Shops in Okinawa

What fuels Okinawa’s vibrant energy and keeps its inhabitants buzzing with excitement? Coffee, of course! We've put together a small list of some of the best coffee shops in Okinawa for you. Okinawa’s brew-tiful coffee scene offers cozy and quirky cafés for all the...

Exploring Middle Schools on Base in Okinawa for Military Families

Embarking on a PCS to Okinawa, Japan, entails a myriad of decisions for military families, especially when it comes to their children's education. As you navigate the educational landscape, understanding the options available for middle school is paramount. In this...

7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson: The Battle of the Konbinis

7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson, the Japanese convenience stores also known as “konbini,” aren’t just places to grab a quick bite; they’re veritable treasure troves of quirky delights and unexpected surprises. From tantalizingly weird flavors of chips that make you...

A Comprehensive Guide To Grocery Shopping in Okinawa

The commissary is your obvious choice when it comes to grocery shopping in Okinawa. But is it the smartest? We are going to explore the many options you have when it comes to grocery shopping in Okinawa. When you are stationed anywhere in the states, you have the...

Fastest Internet in Okinawa: MultiGig Internet with MBC

You can see someone's true personality when they have slow Internet. That is why when you PCS to Okinawa, you're going to want to get MultiGig Internet with MBC – the fastest Internet in Okinawa. MBC has the fastest Internet on all the bases in Okinawa. Their MulitGig...

The Ultimate Stress Free Guide to Register Kids for School in Okinawa:

You moved across the world, attended the NOWA Brief, you’ve gotten your house and the next thing on your to-do list is learning how to register kids for school in Okinawa. The process for getting your kids registered for a DODEA school here in Okinawa is pretty...
Kadena Thrift Shop: The Store Everyone Should Know

Kadena Thrift Shop: The Store Everyone Should Know

Whether you are an avid thrifter, new to the island and in need of a few things or need to offload things you don’t want, the Kadena Thrift shop is a store you should have pinned on your Google Maps. Kadena Thrift Shop: Okinawa Enlisted Spouses' Club (OESC) Thrift...

Best Apps for Okinawa Living

Best Apps for Okinawa Living

We use apps for everything now. Rideshares, calendars, maps and so much more. Which is why we've compiled some of the best apps for Okinawa. Now you can feel prepared before you even get here. We all know living in Okinawa can be overwhelming. Moving to a country...

Fastest Internet in Okinawa: MultiGig Internet with MBC

Fastest Internet in Okinawa: MultiGig Internet with MBC

You can see someone's true personality when they have slow Internet. That is why when you PCS to Okinawa, you're going to want to get MultiGig Internet with MBC – the fastest Internet in Okinawa. MBC has the fastest Internet on all the bases in Okinawa. Their MulitGig...

How to Do Your Road Tax and JCI in Okinawa

How to Do Your Road Tax and JCI in Okinawa

Purchasing a new vehicle in Okinawa can be a chore with several steps. But even after you purchase your vehicle there are still several things you'll have to continue to do for your vehicle while you live here on island which are your Road Tax in Okinawa and JCI in...

Essential and Fun Japanese Phrases To Know Before You Arrive

Essential and Fun Japanese Phrases To Know Before You Arrive

Wondering what simple Japanese phrases to know before you arrive in Japan? Well hello! Konnichiwa! こんにちは! Embarking on the journey to Okinawa can be an exciting and enriching experience, but navigating this language barrier can be quite difficult. Arming yourself with...

Resources created for you by military spouses and service members just like you.

No more searching Facebook for all the answers about PCSing to Okinawa. We have you covered.

Express and Household Goods Pack List

What to pack in your Express Shipment and you Household Goods. See the packing lists here!

8 Things to Do Before you Get to Okinawa

From the PCS Pros, here are 8 things you NEED to do before you get to Oki to make your move easier.

Learn about the Port to Home Process

If you will be living on base, Port to Home is a process that allows you to have a house, furnished with temporary government furniture before you even get on island.

That means no living in base lodging while you wait weeks for a house to be ready. 

Read more about the Port to Home process here and learn *exactly* what you need to do, paperwork to fill out, and how to get on the list.

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TIMELINE

From orders to arrival- what does your family’s timeline look like?

PAPERWORK TO DO FIRST

Forms and paperwork to start your PCS process.

PATRIOT EXPRESS

What to expect on the PE and at SeaTac.

HOUSING

Housing options for all bases in Okinawa, and off-base information.

SCHOOLS

On base and off-base school information.

INTERNET

Getting internet before you even arrive to stay connected to friends and family.

PHONES

Cell phone service options in Okinawa.

VEHICLES

All about getting a vehicle and your license in Okinawa.

WORKING IN OKINAWA

Working remotely and on base in Okinawa.

EMERGENCY PREP

Things to know about emergency operations here in Okinawa and prepping your home.

PETS

Getting your pets to Okinawa and caring for them while you’re here.

SPORTS

Youth and adult sports and activities on- and off-base

Finally arrived in Okinawa?

Check out some of our favorite things to do, see, and eat!

Traveling to Kyoto Featured image

Our Best Guide on Traveling to Kyoto, Japan

Planning your trip on traveling to Kyoto, Japan can feel a little overwhelming at first. With all the different options it can be hard to decide which one would be best for your family. Do you fly? Take the train? Or ferry your way there? Planes, Trains, and...

Visiting the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: One of the World’s Largest Aquarium Tanks

Home to one of the world’s largest aquarium tanks in the world, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one aquarium you do not want to miss. Whether you are visiting or living in Okinawa, the Churaumi Aquarium will teach you everything you need to know about the ocean...
hiking spots in okinawa

The Best Hiking Spots in Okinawa

I dare you to ask 5 friends for the best hiking spots in Okinawa and you will get 5 different answers.  Even Google will bring up a very different list based on some unknown factors.  But the best of the best will be found when you try a new destination,...

Top 5 Kid Friendly Beaches in Okinawa

White sand or rocky cliff sides, Okinawa has a beach to make just about anyone on the island happy. For those families searching for kid friendly beaches in Okinawa, we've got you covered! Sometimes we just want a beach where we don’t have to think about all those...
youth sports sign ups

Fall/Winter Youth Sports Sign Ups in Okinawa

Calling all youth athletes! Basketball, Cheerleading and Flag Football are next up in the lineup of youth sports sign ups available to us here on Okinawa through MCCS Semper Fit Youth Sports and Kadena Youth Sports. Both Kadena and MCCS Youth Sports teams are open to...

Volunteering in Okinawa: Finding New Opportunities and Building Your Community

Volunteering in Okinawa is a great way to find your people if you are new to the island. Even if you’ve been here for a while, finding new opportunities to volunteer your time is a great way to network and meet new people. Volunteering in Okinawa to Help Your Resume...

Top 10 Toddler Activities in Okinawa

Having toddlers is a challenge. Finding toddler activities in Okinawa can be an even bigger challenge. Okinawa offers a unique experience for families with babies and toddlers. There is so much to do with your kids here but let’s start with these ten options. Sports...

Kadena Thrift Shop: The Store Everyone Should Know

Whether you are an avid thrifter, new to the island and in need of a few things or need to offload things you don’t want, the Kadena Thrift shop is a store you should have pinned on your Google Maps. Kadena Thrift Shop: Okinawa Enlisted Spouses' Club (OESC) Thrift...

Get Cheap Items at Marine Thrift Shops!

Thrift Shopping is definitely a passion of mine. While having four kids, the ability to go to the marine thrift shop and off base thrift stores has helped me tremendously save on items for my constantly growing children and family. The two main thrift stores on island...

The Beautiful Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa City

Southeast Botanical Gardens is one of Japan’s largest outdoor botanical gardens, spanning 100 acres of meticulously curated grounds with over 2,000 plant species and over 50 animal species. The Gardens is located only a few minutes from Kadena Gate 3 and is open...