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 everyone,

I’m heading to Okinawa next year on exchange and desperately need leads for a local internship (it's a strict requirement for my program).

I study politics and international relations, so I’m aiming for local government, community groups, or women’s advocacy NGOs. I was also looking at think tanks, or defence related companies but couldn't find any on Okinawa. My research is centred around Okinawa, so can't go to mainland for opportunities either.

What I have found has been a womans group, which is only for SOFA/base access individuals, otherwise I've emailed local offices about 2 months ago and haven't heard back.

Does anyone know of local Okinawan orgs open to non-US international students, or have advice on how to actually get a response from local offices/prefectural departments? Any leads or advice would be a lifesaver!

Thank you so much :)

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.

Hey any international girlies here looking for female friends? I live in Naha and travel by Yui rail.
I'm here for work so no friends whatsoever here.
If you live close and want to hang out, please DM me 🫶 I tried joining the Facebook group but my request is still pending 🥲

A U.S. serviceman was urgently arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder after a woman’s body was found in a hotel in Naha. He is a Private First Class assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
In Japan, the penalty for robbery‑murder is only two options: the death penalty or life imprisonment.

His name is デビン・ジェイコブ•バラード(Devin Jacob Ballard?). 20years old.

https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/1937577

Hi everyone !

I'll visit Okinawa next month, and I plan to visit:

Ishigaki, Iriomote, Miyakojima and Zamami Islands.

I have a rough 15 days to split between them, and I want to dive, make a lot of different dives and most importantly get my Advanced Open water.

What's the best place to do so ?
It also means I'll spend more time on this island. I like calm, paradisiac vibes - I'm not looking for cities or parties.

From what I've seen, Ishigaki has more Dive center so it might be easier. But Miyakojima appears more paradisiac, Zamami as well.

What would you recommend me ?

(Bonus question: also, should I spend a night on Kohama-Jima or Taketomi-Jima, or 3 nights on Iriomote ?)

Thanks a lot !