10 Surprises about Living in Okinawa as a military spouse/SOFA member
It’s such a privilege to be able to experience life abroad here in Okinawa. As a new military spouse and Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) member, I’m navigating my first ever Permanent Change of Station (PCS). It’s been an interesting and rather smooth adjustment to experiencing life here.
Here are some insights from someone with lived experience in Okinawa:
The controversy surrounding Okinawa as a “Blue Zone.” According to this article by The World, Okinawa is one of the poorest and most obese places in Japan. There may also be errors in birth records. When looking at factors contributing to longevity, one may need to look at other factors other than diets, which include participating in moais, which are social support groups, and having an ikigai, a reason for being. Follow the work of Christal Burnett, Okinawan Longevity Expert here for credible information. Also, the prevalence of fast food here is not to be missed.
Culture is beautiful. How considerate and respectful people here are. Customer service is top-notch. How beautiful the Sanshin music (string instrument) is and how lively and frequent traditional Eisa (folk dance) are around. People are generally very patient and tolerant of mistakes. Conveniece is also part of the culture. You’ll see these with the prevalence of “konbini” stores and “jihanki” vending machines almost at every street.
There’s a heightened sense of eco-friendliness here. Trash on the streets are a rare sight here. This goes the same for trash cans. Some restaurants will charge you for to-go/takeaway boxes. Also, how cool is that trash pick up occurs 4 days/week (i.e., 2 days for regular trash, 1 day for recycling and 1 day for bulk pick up).
Tipping is not part of the customs although in some restaurants you see tip jars. However, some people may still tip at ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) when they travel.
The island life reflects here with the speed limit (30-50 km limit on side streets/80km on the highways). It also feels very safe here. Also, remember there is no left turn on red light and you’ll eventually get used to driving on the left side of the rode after a month. Driving at a slower pace is a welcome adjustment for me, but for others, this can be a huge adjustment. Pro tip: if you use Waze, it tells you if there’s a speed camera ahead, but Google Maps doesn’t necessarily tell you.
It still feels like America here with amenities. How you can get by with little Japanese, but learning Japanese can be super helpful. The libraries offer a ton of free language learning resources. You can also pay for lessons, such as at the USO Kadena. If you send an email to help@tutor.com to request for Japanese to be added, this could be a free resource for military members/families. Also on that note, Okinawa has its own dialect/language that is not so common anymore as Japanese has been heavily incorporated.
How nature can feel so close to you. The stars, sun and moon feel closer and clearer. It’s very therapeutic and relaxing. Access to the parks and beaches are plentiful.
How many resources are offered to you here. Did someone mention free gym classes, personal training, counseling and classes/workshops? Also, there are supportive communities both in-person and on social media, namely Facebook groups. Pro tip: also check Eventbrite. Make sure you download the Liberty app.
How competitive employment can be. Take advantage of educational/employment preparation workshops through MCCS, Kadena, Department of Labor, etc. Network with people. Check USAJOBS.gov often, LinkedIn, Facebook, but also ask around.
Tax-free perks for shopping. Take advantage of the dollar/yen rate exchange, but also be mindful on how you spend (it’s so easy to overspend here). With your SOFA stamp on your passport, you may be able to enjoy tax free when shopping certain goods/certain stores. Look for the tax-free sticker at the store or just ask. I haven’t tried in Okinawa yet, but in Tokyo, this works!
For those needing more support with the transition to Okinawa, feel free to reach out and schedule a free discovery call with me.