About 9,100 US troops will be moved from Okinawa to Guam. The transfer will occur in a 3 phases in 2025.

What are Okinawans sentiments on this move?

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 🤔

Hello! My husband is in the Marines and we get to rank locations that we would like to be stationed at, Okinawa being one of them. We love the idea of having the experience of living abroad for 3 years. We would absolutely love to explore Japan and live by the ocean. However, we do have a 1 year old and I plan on having a second baby soon. How is life in Okinawa? Anything we need to be aware of? Would it be a great experience, or are there things about living there that we aren’t thinking about? Is it not worth it? What is the cost of living like in regard to food and clothes? Daily life, safety, weather, healthcare, maternity care? Do we need a car? Any information would be very helpful in making this decision. Of course, it’s ultimately up to the military on where we get sent, but if we rank Japan as our #1 wanted location, then there’s a chance we do get sent there.

I separate from the navy in 5 months. I have experience working on a joint watch floor. I used to be stationed in Sasebo, Japan. Married/divorced with a Japanese national. I’m trying to get into contracting (i have a clearance but no degree) or go to school (anything really) in Okinawa to be closer to my kids.
Are there recommendations on where to go, who to talk to, using GI bill or visa’s to get?

Hey everyone! I know this is a bit of a long shot, but we’re currently in Okinawa and seriously craving some Popeyes. Unfortunately, as civilians, we don’t have access to the base. Would anyone be willing to help us out by grabbing some for us? We’d be happy to meet in front of any base that’s convenient for you. Of course, we’ll cover the cost of the food and throw in a 6-pack (or whatever you’d prefer) as a thank-you. Really appreciate any help!"

Edit: I found someone and am leaving Okinawa tmrw. Thank you guys for the amazing replies and readiness to help. I also tried some of the alternatives you gave me, they were great. 🙏

Hey everyone — I’m a psychiatrist joining the Navy this year and will likely be headed to Okinawa with my wife. Really looking forward to serving and to living an adventure overseas.

I’ve worked with veterans for the past several years, so I’m excited to start working with active duty sailors and marines. Hopefully I can do right by them.

Just wanted to ask: how’s life in Okinawa overall? Do most officers live on base or off base? Do people usually buy a car? Any advice, things you wish you knew before arriving, or tips for settling in?

Thanks in advance — really appreciate everyone’s advice. Arigatou gozaimasu!

i’m tryna get some peds to okinawa onto a base is that shit legal ? RAD140 MK677

Im a GM3 and i just received orders to Kadena AB at the NMPAC. What should I expect in work and in life in general in Okinawa. Im a single sailor no dependents and E4 over 4

Question for US military in Okinawa 🇺🇸
Tattoo artist here, coming to Okinawa soon.
For those stationed on base — do most of you finish work around 4–4:30 PM?
I’ve had a lot of American clients asking for tattoo appointments in the evening, so I’m wondering if 4–9 PM is actually the best time to work with military clients.
I’m personally much more focused in the morning 😂
For military members and tattoo artists in Okinawa:
What time do you usually prefer for tattoos — morning, right after work, or evening?
And do most tattoo shops here stay open late for military clients?

2012 Suzuki Lapin
Hot Pink
Push Start
Limited 10th anniversary edition (cute key fob)
Cold A/C
CD player
Bluetooth Adapter
Heated driver seat
97k
JCI due January 2028
Road Tax paid until 2027
New Tires
Fresh oil change
Brand New Tires
Free jumper cables (never needed for this car but was able to help some friends)

Hoping to get close to $2500

Not that I’m not conscious of how the locals feel about our presence their especially marines. But I wanted to know is it really that tense between civilians and military there? I heard there’s a 6pm curfew. If so how does that work for off base people?

Honestly I’m nervous to go there I don’t really want people to cuss me out for just being there (not that the locals wouldn’t have fair reason to)

I’m extremely ignorant to a lot of the situation

Finally if possible I would love to know some things I shouldn’t do or should avoid doing either for cultural sensitivity or just whatever

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/27/japan/us-military-police-detain-civilian-okinawa/

Hello fellow Okinawa dwellers,

I live in Ishikawa (Okinawa), and last night there was an unusually high level of military aircraft activity. Planes were flying repeatedly from the middle of the night through early morning, much more than usual. I left for work in the morning, so I’m not sure if it continued afterward.

Did anyone else notice this, or know what might be happening? Training exercise, deployment, or something else? Just curious if there’s any public info or similar observations from other areas.

I’m currently in San Diego PCSing to USNMRTC Okinawa in July. My wife is an Indian citizen living in India

1. Since she is in India, how does she complete the OSS (NAVMED 1300/1)? Can she use a civilian doctor?

2. If the DEA/OSS isn't 100% finished by the time I have to leave, what are the actual risks? (I've heard it's a nightmare for housing/pay).

3.How does the SOFA visa work for an Indian citizen coming from India?

If anyone has a POC at the Okinawa screening office or has done this "Overseas-to-Overseas" move, I’d appreciate the help.

Here’s a little about me. I been in the Corps for 4 years and joined since 2020. My original MOS was 0111 until I done a paternal move to become a radio operator. I had always had a passion to come out to Okinawa as I had a great time out there on my 2 UDP’s I had over the years. I reenlisted a few months ago to come back out here. I recently got a car along with my SOFA license which I got in a month. My next things I’m waiting on is my title, registration and JCI paperwork. I was wondering how much does car insurance cost on base and how much do plates cost? We got a big op coming up and I’m trying to get as much done before Resolute Dragon pops off which is done annually in Okinawa. Public transportation is convenient when you’re deployed or stationed out here but can be costly and time consuming. I am trying to hop on the road as soon as possible. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you 🙏🏾

I’m an AD enlisted Marine on Okinawa. I’m getting married soon, but I have some worries. My fiancée is a non US citizen living in mainland as a resident in a dependent Visa. She’s soon going to go back to university, most likely in Singapore. We’re getting married now to time her green card process to my EAS date as I’m probably not reupping. Because she’s going to be going to Uni in Singapore, I’m not going to do a tour conversion, but she will of course want to come back to Japan in between semesters to visit me or her family.

My question is, after we’re married I know she has her dependent Visa rescinded, but once I secure SOFA status for her, will there be any issues if she’s primarily studying and spending most of her time in Singapore?

Military specific flair, but I think this is kind of a post for all people who aren't born here. Whether Military, Mainland transplant, or Master's degree at OIST.

So please bear with me while I gush about how amazing Okinawa is for a while.

Before I moved here from America, I thought I had a better than average idea what to expect. I've been to Japan a dozen times. I owned my own TOTO washlet. I knew how to live out of a combini, and had spent years working on my japanese language. I did my homework on how to find the local community center, and I read about the giant bats we all (except those of us with fruit trees) come to love and enjoy. I was excited to dig into okinawa's famous car culture, experience the local matsuri and learn to take up a half dozen ocean sports.

Soon I will be forced to leave, and I wanted to write up the things I found amazing that nobody told me about.

• 1- The number and beauty of butterflies that live here: Everywhere you go in okinawa, giant blue and black and green butterflies float. Beautiful shiny ones that elsewhere you would only see on a video or in a museum...just sit on the plants outside your door. It's a joy to just watch one go by, and a privilege very few people in the world get to have such pretty butterflies not just living nearby...but constantly floating around.

• 2- The Yaki-imo truck: America has the ice cream truck, and as children we all learn to beg for money and chase it down...but Okinawa has us beat. Yaki Imo is delicious and far healthier. As an adult I no longer chase the ice cream truck for an orange creamscicle...I have my waistline to consider...but I will still jog out to buy yaki imo when I hear it's wailing calls. As a healthy alternative to the ice cream truck that all ages can enjoy, the Yaki Imo truck gets two thumbs up from me.

• 3- The wide variety of parks: Granted, you may not notice this if you don't have a young kid. Every park I've seen on okinawa (and I've been to all of them within a 35 minute drive) is unique. Many have one-off play structures that can only be found there and are great fun. From the giant pirate ship all kids love to the legendary roller slides, to the stretched fabric "trampolines," many of the parks here would be better than the best park in my home city. American parks are...well you can see it if you go on base. If you've seen one, you've seen them all, with very few exceptions. American parks are produced in giant plastic to factory specifications, and assembled according to precise blueprints. Okinawan play spaces for kids seem to be the efforts of engineers still very much in touch with their inner child and given an unlimited wood and rope-net budget. A commendable investment in the island's children.

• 4- The home centers: I already disliked shopping at Lowes and Home Depot before coming here. Going back to that...I'm going to loathe them entirely. I would get lost for an hour trying to find what I wanted, only to discover they never had it in the first place. Here, stores like Sakumoto, Makeman, and Tabata have a wide stock and almost always carry what I need, within reason (I don't begrudge them for not carrying the adaptors needed to get an american TOTO washlet plumbed into japanese pipes...). Shopping at these stores has been a joy, and I found myself going most every weekend for one project or another. Quick when I need it to be, and a fun exploration when I have spare time. From wood to fasteners, from anti-rust sprays to plastic sheeting, from tools to trees, Okinawa has great hardware stores, and that's something that is rarely appreciated, but should be more-so.

• 5- The total uniqueness of Okinawan culture: Last and most importantly, I thought I would see Okinawa as I have other parts of Japan. Each region in Japan has it's own festivals, it's own specialties, it's own dialect and culture. It's a wonderful diversity. Okinawa is far beyond that. I almost have to apologize for calling it a part of Japan when I talk to people. In a geopolitical sense that's true...but in every other way... Japanese-ness clearly sits on top of a fully formed separate culture here. Instead of a dialect, they have their own language. Instead of specialized local clothing, they have an entire separate constellation of traditional clothings. Instead of sumo, they have Shima and Tegumi. Instead of Samurai, they have Karate masters. Instead of Mikoshi carrying festivals, they have dragon boat festivals. Instead of Shinto and Buddhism, Okinawa has Nirai Kanai Shinkō. While it's clear that Japan intends to treat Okinawan culture as if it's a variant just like the other regions have, I think that's doing it a great disservice. There is a huge cultural uniqueness here that is not like anywhere else, and it seems to lack the government support it deserves. I'd like to see what those many castles looked like when properly rebuilt the way Himeji has been on the mainland. I'd like to see more of the uchinanchu language used and taught even to those of us who can't be here very long. I'd like to see what local religion would look like if it wasn't pressed through a Meiji-era shinto-filter. And I would love to see the bullfights and shima matches given as much advertising funding as the Sumo matches and the Kings games, so that everybody can be sure not to miss what makes this place like nowhere else on earth...besides the amazing beaches.

Just a little thing I'd like to share with aviation fans. Don't miss Kadena roadside station observation deck. It's basically a daily free air show! Clear view of the tarmack and the filghts are non-stop! Things I missed: Tanegashima Space Center. Next time I'll try to match my visit to a launch day. Also Naha airport. Should've spent more time for plane spotting, both civilian and JSDAF.

Hello does anybody know any moving company that will be able to move furniture from Okinawa to Iwakuni? And where I can contact them? Looking online but it’s mainly furniture stores and not much help. DMO won’t cover this move for us and we’d rather not sell and buy new furniture.

Hi all. Long time lurker first time poster. I will be on a military assignment for 30 days or so this summer, likely in July. I know it's going to be hot. My family wants to come and visit for 2 and 1/2 weeks or so. Do you have any suggestions about where they might want to stay? It doesn't need to be luxurious, but I would love some suggestions of lodging that's sort of near the water. I will likely be staying on station and we'll have an opportunity to visit my family after hours. I've got two kids that are elementary and middle school age, so I'm hopeful there will be plenty of stuff for them to do to keep busy and to have fun with mom while dad is at work!

I don't want to break the bank if possible, so I was hopeful for some accommodations that are modestly priced. Any suggestions?

Can military personnel go to the LMVIO for title services? The JSVRO will be closed for the 96 right after I get my motorcycle license but if I can I’d like to re-register my bike (currently unregistered) at the LMVIO over that 96 since they’ll be open and I won’t be doing anything. Bike is under 250cc so it would be the LMVIO and not the LTO.

moving from Yokota to Okinawa. Considering driving my car all the way down and saving money/make more money from a partial move. Has anyone ever done this move before? I heard there’s a ferry to take but don’t have a lot of knowledge on it