Hokkaido is THE place to visit in the winter. When it's the time to hibernate and get cozy, Hokkaido seems to come alive. It is cold, with a latitude similar to that of New York, people are meant to bundle up when they came here! The City of Hakodate Hakodate is...
Thanksgiving in Okinawa is not a traditional holiday the same way it is in the United States. If you want to continue the tradition of thanksgiving in your home you can rest assured- the base commissaries will have all the ingredients that you need. And for those of...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
As summer unfolds its humid embrace, finding respite from the relentless Okinawa heat becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. Beyond its radiant beaches and blue waters, there are a plethora of indoor activities in Okinawa to beat the heat. Indoor Activities in...
Playgrounds in Okinawa, Japan are next level compared to anything in America. They really take their playing seriously here. With the cultural concepts of respect and kindness at the forefront, most parks remain intact and offer structures that you might not typically...
Let’s be honest, you can only prepare so much for the summer weather in Okinawa before it becomes a game of how to embrace it. It kind of just comes out of nowhere when you are least expecting it. We get a few weeks of beautiful weather then the rainy season hits and...
There is no shortage of sports opportunities here on the island. When looking for youth sports in Okinawa, the base should be your first stop. MCCS and Kadena Air Force Support Squadron offer a wide variety of youth sports in Okinawa for the Marine Corps bases and...
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...
*This post may contain affiliate links.* One of the first things that come to mind when people think about Okinawa are the beaches in Okinawa. Known as the "Hawaii of Asia" the waters here are crystal clear and turquoise blue — much like what you would see in...
“Children’s Day,” known in Japanese as “Kodomo no hi” (子供の日) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place on May 5th, and is part of the longest Japanese holiday week called Golden Week. The Japanese celebrate holidays on April 29th, May 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th,...
What Okinawa Facebook groups should you know while your stationed here? Okinawa runs on Facebook! Each base will have a different page for its residents. Each facility will have a different Facebook page for its facilities and each housing area will have its own as...
Dragon Boat Season is upon us! During this time, you can expect to see teams covering the Kadena Marina with paddles and cow bells, chanting in unison while pushing the water to the beat. Why do they practice so hard? Who are these fierce individuals and why do they...
PCS Okinawa is here to help guide you through the process of getting yourself and your family to Okinawa, as well as to provide you resources, activities, and current events of things going on all around the island during your tour here.
PCS Okinawa is run by military spouses of all branches, so that we can provide a comprehensive guide for unaccompained, UDP, and incoming families and help make the transition to and stay in Okinawa even better.
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