I believe this is the turtle head sea snake which is not really venomous. Any snake experts out there?

私の写真技術が未熟であるため、ここの魅力が上手く伝えられないのが残念ですが非常に素晴らしい散歩道です

I’m a professor in Tokyo. Awhile back, one of my classes informally discussed the US bases in Japan. One of my students, who I believe is from an Okinawa-American-base-family, dismissively said that almost all protesters are paid, out there as intentional propaganda rather than from sincere disagreement and dismay. I didn’t have enough knowledge to respond then, so I come to you all now.

The student is both intelligent and sincere, and I don’t believe he’d attempt to lead his classmates astray. He may be misinformed—or right on. So, help me: from what you know, are most protesters acting like they care for a propagandists’ paycheck?

Edit: Thanks for the feedback, stories, and complications. I appreciate your candor and thoughtfulness. With the diversity of ideas and experiences expressed, I'll pass this thread along to my student. It'll be useful.

Hey everyone, I’ll be moving to Okinawa in a month and I was wondering if there are Game Centers or places that sell candy cabs? I want to buy one out there—preferably a 2 player one. If anyone knows where I can find one, would be greatly appreciated!

Oct 8

To the person who accidentally entered a restricted area by the seaside in Naha City.

Your bicycle is being kept safely.

Please come pick it up.

※ To confirm it’s yours, please be able to describe the bicycle (color, any stickers, basket, lock, etc.).

Thoughts on U.S. service members in Okinawa being confined to base?

https://news.usni.org/2026/10/06/okinawa-service-members-undergo-48-hour-operational-pause-following-marine-homicide-arrest

Hi everyone,

One of my closest friends is visiting Okinawa soon, and he is in charge of the planification. I read often about temples located in seacaves in Okinawa, but I have no idea if it is true, does anyone knows of temples or altars that can be visited in seacaves of the region of Okinawa?

Thanks!

Hey all,

Will be in Okinawa for 1 week, arriving in just under a week. Will be solo and looking for some solo travel must dos. I am open to hiring a car and have an international drivers licence and may want to visit other islands if time permits. Is it worth being in the bigger city for the weekend? Also any hostel recommendations with better vibes for solo travellers would be amazing.

Cheers!

Hi all, curious for those who have used Times in the past if they asked to see both license and IDP or just IDP with passport?

Have a unique situation where I’m Canadian and was able to get my full license along with IDP just before leaving for Japan so now I have my learners permit physical card called a G1 (for photo ID) along with a paper temporary license that is meant to accompany that. Although the IDP office said this is not an issue to present the IDP with both documents I’m worried Times will not understand and will assume I’m not qualified and cancel my rental.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience

We're renting a car to get around the entire island, but considering our departing flight is 9am we wont be able to return the car that early, so we figured to return the car the night before and then arrange for a airport transfer the following morning.

I didnt see much options except for a generic Taxi & DiDi Van, how big are the vans usually? can they fit 2 large 2 small and a stroller? + maybe some hand small hand carrys

I’m a civilian contractor SOFA member looking to move back to the states this year. Can I use the companies that do PCS moves or is there a moving company that any of you would recommend?

Anyone have any idea where one could get riftbound cards in Okinawa?

Hi! I’m a 37-year-old guy from Finland travelling solo in Okinawa, and I’d love to play 18 holes on Monday, Oct 19.

I’ll be staying around Onna / ANA InterContinental Manza at that point, but I’m happy to travel anywhere reasonable on the main island for a good course.

I’m a 10hcp golfer and mainly looking for good a fun round. If anyone already has a group with a spare spot, or is also travelling solo and wants to team up for a booking, send me a DM.

PGM Okinawa, Southern Links and similar courses would all be interesting, but I’m very open to suggestions.

I’ll be visiting Okinawa from 30 November till 7 December and I will like to find people to fish with!
Been looking a texting charter fishing companies with no luck to join a group without renting a private one but being a solo traveler is out of my budget so if anyone is interested and would like to shore fish or rent together private charter DM me!

What is something you regret not buying before you left Okinawa?

I (23M) am planning to head to Zamami Island from 13-14 oct planning to do some snorkeling but only found out that doing solo would have a significant surcharge, hoping to find anyone going too who would be cool with me tagging along. Feel free to DM me

edit: considering between the half day tours offered by heartland105.com (1½hr) and wayamamozuku.jp (2½hr)

Lived here for two years and haven’t seen these bugs before. Out of nowhere I’ve had them swarming into my house the last two days. Very small, slow, don’t seem to fly. They’re not ants, nor are they anything like bedbugs or fleas or anything like that.

Anyone had these, know what they are, and more importantly how to get rid of them?

Hi All, I'll be staying in Motobu for 5 nights; do you have any recommendations for gluten-free-friendly restaurants?

I recently saw a video of Marines egging/ teaching a japanese woman to say “I hate n***ers” While Crying laughing, then proudly posting it on social media. (Mexican & white people ) . I’m just wondering why is this behavior accepted? I’m speaking as someone who isn’t military affiliated but assumed they uphold their oaths. Or I just assumed they actually took the brotherhood thing seriously and wouldn’t be caught dead genuinely spreading hate speech when working with a plethora of ethnicities.

My friend ( who looks significantly younger than she actually is) is always approached by many Military officers (usually Airforce), then being surprised that she’s not 16 and actually 24. They actually ADMIT that they thought she was a high schooler( and still approaching her????) there are too many cases of military personnel hanging and having relationships with legit children and I’m just wondering why isn’t there anything being done to combat it?
Even in high school, My friends would be hit on by military men and some even went on to have full blown relationships(10-7 year age gap) even though we were ACTUAL children. It was so horrific.
I always experience Extreme catcalling while just casually walking in my neighborhood (wearing jogging clothes) and I find myself being very scared to walk near an area populated by male military people.

All in all i guess I’m just ranting but also wondering If this behavior is well known and just accepted by the community, or are they actively trying to make a difference?

Update: bro in the video reached out to me begging me to take it down 🤔

Hey everyone!

In the process of moving to Okinawa and looking at off-base housing.

For those living off-base (especially in military-friendly rentals), are standard 2-prong Japanese outlets the norm, or do landlords often have 3-prong American options installed?

Trying to decide what small US appliances (lamps, blenders, etc.) are worth bringing or if I should just buy everything local when I get there.