Sometimes as an adult you think your team sports days are behind you. These days there are so many options for adult sports in Okinawa that you may have a hard time figuring out which team to join. Or you may end up doing it all! MCCS (Marine Corps), NavyMWR, ArmyMWR and AFSS (Air Force) all offer a wide variety of recreational sports and activities for adults. The bases all offer an intramural level league for most sports and then you can find more competitive teams and leagues both on and off base.
Intramural Adult Sports in Okinawa
Intramural sports is your first option. These are offered on all the bases through each service and play locally against other intramural teams. Some of these options include:
- Softball
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Golf
- Bike Races
- Volleyball
- Triathlons
- Competitive Runs
- Racquetball
- Fun Runs
- Flag Football
- Power Sports
- Football
- Wrestling
- Bowling
- Pickleball
- Kickball
- Martial Arts
- Swimming
Most of these are available on the major bases throughout the island so no matter where you are stationed or living you’ll be able to find an option near you.
MCCS: https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/recreation-fitness/sports/adult-sports
Kadena AFSS: https://www.kadenafss.com/fitness#contact
Navy: https://www.navymwrokinawa.com/programs/a368af48-e017-4fae-ac12-3eb46cb16089
KICKBALL
Kickball is a very popular adult sports in Okinawa for female spouses. Here in Okinawa you have two options: Ladies Of Okinawa Kickball League (LOOK) or Spouses Okinawa Area Kickball Association(SOAKA).
LOOK is a league played on Kadena AFB and teams have no designation to unit so you can join whichever team you want. They play two seasons, one in the fall and the other in the spring.
SOAKA kickball league is played on Marine Corps Bases. Teams are organized by units. You can apply to play and based on your spouse’s command you will be placed on the appropriate team. If the team has reached its limit for players, or your spouse’s command does not have a team, you will become a free agent and be placed on the team with lowest numbers. SOAKA kickball league is great when your spouse is a Marine and you want to meet people from their unit.
SOFTBALL
Lady Okinawa Dragons Softball is an option if you were a softball player in your younger years. This is a competitive slow pitch softball league here in Okinawa. The team is made up of female service members, spouses, DoD Employees, and on occasion, dependent daughters 16+ y/o.
The team plays in tournaments on Okinawa Military Bases throughout the year as well as annual off-island Pacific- Wide tournaments such as Yokosuka Naval Base (Yokohama), Yokota Air Base (Tokyo), Korea (Camp Humphreys or Osan Air Base), and a non-military affiliated tournament in Thailand.
DRAGON BOAT RACING
U.S. Navy Women’s Dragon Boat Team/ Summer Dragons
Yasha Dragons Okinawa 夜叉龍 – Dragon Boat Team
Kadena Shoguns Dragon Boat Team
Army Dragonboat Okinawa-Black Knights
Kinser Ladies Dragon Boat Team
U.S. Navy Men’s Dragon Boat Team
Dragon Boat racing is a very Okinawan activity to get into. Dragon Boat racing originated in China and is one of the worlds fastest growing water sports. There is an annual dragon boat race in Naha and it’s very unique. There are many teams to choose from between services and whether you want a co-ed team or not. Some travel internationally and some stay local. This is a great sport to experience the local culture.
WATER SPORTS
https://www.kadenafss.com/marina
https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/recreation-fitness/outdoor-recreation
https://torii.armymwr.com/programs/torii-beach
The Kadena Marina and Outdoor Recs from Torii and Marine Corps bases all provide great options for outdoor water sports. Stand up paddle boards, kayaks, snorkel gear and scuba gear can all be rented through these Outdoor Rec groups. Pricing varies a bit between them but all are very affordable. The Kadena Marina offers boat rentals and charters to some of the smaller islands for snorkeling and scuba trips.
https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/shopping-services/tsunami-scuba
Tsunami Scuba through MCCS also offers many opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are locations on Camps Foster, Courtney, Hansen, Schwab and Torii Beach. They are a full service shop offering an array of scuba classes as well as equipment rentals, air and nitrox fills, and equipment repairs. They offer open water and freediving certification courses.
AERO CLUB
https://www.kadenafss.com/aeroclub
Ever wanted to learn how to fly? Well on Kadena Air Force Base you can. According to their website, the Kadena Aero Club offers a top of the line facility for anything aviation related. With the Aero Club you can help support the Air Force mission, participate in professional aviation training programs, enjoy safe and low-cost aircraft operations, and develop & maintain aeronautical skills with awareness and appreciation for aviation.
GOLF
https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/about/other-camps/taiyo-golf-club/golf
Taiyo is located in Uruma City near Kurashiki Dam in the central part of the island. It is an 18-hole layout across 247 acres. There is a pro-shop, cafe and a steakhouse restaurant on the property as well.
https://www.kadenafss.com/banyan-tree-golf-course
Banyan Tree Golf Course is located on Kadena AFB just inside Gate 1. It is an 18-Hole course with a pro-shop, rentals, restaurant, lessons, and tournaments year round.
https://www.kadenafss.com/chibana-golf-course
Chibana Golf Course is located straight of Kadena AFB Gate 3. It is a 9-hole golf course with a pro-shop, options for lessons, a snack bar and rentals.
BASE GYMS
https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/recreation-fitness/fitness/fitness-centers
MCCS offers fitness centers on all the Marine Corps bases island wide. They offer a variety of fitness classes, weight lifting equipment, group classes, personal training along with fitness consultations and assessments, and massage therapy.
https://www.kadenafss.com/fitness
Kadena AFB offers a wide variety of fitness options as well. With Risner Fitness Complex and Habu Fitness Center you’ll find something for all your fitness needs including group classes, weight lifting, cardio, massage therapy and personal training. Risner has a pro-shop and Habu Fitness center offers an option for unmanned 24/7 access.
https://www.navymwrokinawa.com/programs/d2d816b6-2179-40d0-8f2a-951623744255
https://www.navymwrokinawa.com/programs/a368af48-e017-4fae-ac12-3eb46cb16089
The Navy offers two fitness facilities on their bases on the island. Camp Shields offers basic gym equipment and has a variety of intramural sports for adults. White Beach is a 24/7 unmanned access facility with basic gym equipment.
https://torii.armymwr.com/programs/torii-gym1
Torii Gym offers a state of the art facility with a weight room and cardio room, tennis courts, outdoor workout area, whirlpool tub, steam room, hot stone lounge chairs, personal training and massage therapy. The army facility also has a variety of intramural sports for adults.
There are so many options throughout the island for you to keep active. Playing a sport is a great way to get out there and meet people who have the same interests as you. Moving your body and finding your community are both equally important, especially when living so far away from family and friends in the states.
If you are part of a sports team or know of a sport or activity not listed, please contact PCS Guide Okinawa so we can include it.
Looking for more? Check out these other popular articles on activities in Okinawa.
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