OKINAWA

Travel

Get ready for Okuma Beach’s Color Fun Run on March 28

What better way is there to celebrate Spring Break than by breaking a sweat on a beautiful beach?

Food

VIDEO: Somin Champuru an Okinawan favorite

Somen, or somin in Okinawan dialect, comes in different varieties, but an Okinawan favorite is to have the noodles stir-fried in somin champuru.

Travel

My Faves: Japanese toys from childhood

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I had a lot of fun playing with traditional Japanese/Okinawan toys, including kites and spinning tops.

Travel

VIDEO: Spotlight on Okinawa’s beautiful bingata traditional cloth dyeing

Bingata is a traditional cloth-dyeing method that spans generations and has a 500-year history on Okinawa.


Latest Stories

Photo Of VIDEO: Make your own dazzling souvenir at Ryukyu Glass Village

Travel

VIDEO: Make your own dazzling souvenir at Ryukyu Glass Village

You may have seen Ryukyu Glass on the shelf at shops. The colorful glassware is popular among tourists and locals as souvenirs or eating or drinking utensils. 

Photo Of Diving into Japanese hair care

Health

Diving into Japanese hair care

Being stationed in Japan has made me appreciate Japan’s self-care routine culture, so it’s been easy to incorporate many aspects into my daily regimen.


Videos


More Stories from Okinawa

Photo Of Wasabi tofu milk gelato: This unusual summer treat gets green and spicy

Food

Wasabi tofu milk gelato: This unusual summer treat gets green and spicy

When it comes to Japanese ice cream flavors, green tea reigns supreme. But why not try the sweet stuff with another wafu green ingredient?

Photo Of VIDEO: Speakin’ Japanese lesson: Thank you for the meal

Food

VIDEO: Speakin’ Japanese lesson: Thank you for the meal

In Japan, before you eat a meal, you say “itadakimasu” to express appreciation for those who cooked the food.

Photo Of Show some love for your 2026 DODEA graduate in Stripes Grad Tab; Okinawa deadline May 5

Education

Show some love for your 2026 DODEA graduate in Stripes Grad Tab; Okinawa deadline May 5

High school graduation is a special time, and Stars and Stripes is pleased to once again be putting together our annual Grad Tab, highlighting information on all of the Pacific DoDEA high schools and their graduating classes.

Photo Of Job Opening at Stars and Stripes: Multimedia, Digital, and Programmatic Sales Contractor

News

Job Opening at Stars and Stripes: Multimedia, Digital, and Programmatic Sales Contractor

Are you an experienced sales professional with a passion for multimedia and digital sales? Stars and Stripes is looking for independent contractors to join our team, working in Guam, mainland Japan, Okinawa, and Seoul, Korea.

Photo Of A stop on Henza Island

Travel

A stop on Henza Island

On the road to Miyagi Island, Henza Island takes only six minutes to travel through, often making it more of a passing point than a destination. But, make no mistake, you will not regret making a longer stop to enjoy the wonders of this small island.

Photo Of Taste of Okinawa: Healthy appetizers

Food

Taste of Okinawa: Healthy appetizers

As the number of bars and pubs on the island indicates, drinking is a big part of life in Okinawa.

Photo Of Trip to Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters in Okinawa

Travel

Trip to Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters in Okinawa

Just south of Naha in Tomigusuku City, a park with lush forest trails, monuments, a massive playground and a superb view of the southwest coast, is also the site of World War II history.

Photo Of Taste of Okinawa: Nosh on acai bowls from Navy veteran-owned Hawaiian Bowls

Food

Taste of Okinawa: Nosh on acai bowls from Navy veteran-owned Hawaiian Bowls

When I’m vacationing on Okinawa, I love grabbing acai bowls for a late breakfast or early lunch.

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