If you're reading this post chances are you have just received news that you will be moving overseas to Okinawa, Japan. You're probably in shock, you're probably worried, and maybe even a little bit scared. Guess what? I was all of those things too when I found out my husband had received orders to Japan. I was also 8 months pregnant at the time with our first son so you can bet my emotions were running wild when I found out.
First thing I did.... I cried. I called my mom and I cried some more. Once I got over all my crying and my evil thoughts of trying to sabotage the out processing so we didn't have go (I can't be the only one who had these thoughts... right?) I began searching all over the Internet for information to try and get a glimpse of what it was gonna be like. Truth is you won't really know until you get there.
But! I can give you some insight and tips on what to expect for your big move across the world.
1. First things first... I suggest joining the Kadena Wives page on facebook. Click Here to access the page. If you are not an Air Force family you can still try and join but I would suggest also looking for a page specific to the base you will be at. This facebook page is where you will get tons of information about what's going on around the base and answers to any questions you may have. And it is all coming from other wives and moms who have been there and done that.
2. Another incredibly useful site that helped me before and after I got to Okinawa was Okinawa Hai. This website has tons of information on it about almost anything on and off base. They have a huge list of restaurants off base categorizes by location or by type of food. They have information about shopping around town, day cares, beaches, hotels, and so much more! The articles written on the site are all done by people who have actually been there and experienced it so you are getting truthful information and reviews. This was my go to place to find information about anything I needed!
3. One of the most important tips I can give you as far getting a car in Okinawa is to save a good amount of money before you get there! You don't want to have a car payment while you're out there on a car that's only worth $1,500. The cars are pretty cheap since people are constantly pcsing out of there. But unlike in the states, your insurance is not paid monthly. You have to pay the whole year of insurance at the time you buy the car. Depending on what type of car you get, the insurance can be anywhere from $400 to $600 a year per car all upfront. This can really add up. Another thing you should be aware of is JCI which is a car inspection that is due every 1-2 years depending on which type you get. Most people who are selling their cars will get the JCI done before selling it, but some people don't want to bother with it and will discount the car a little to off set the cost of the buyer having to get the JCI done. A JCI inspection can be anywhere from $250 to $600 as well again depending on the car and if anything is wrong. (Ex: my taillight was going bad and I failed a JCI inspection and had to replace it before I passed.) You can find more information about JCI here. With that being said I suggest trying to find a car with a JCI that is good for a year or two and if you have no luck with that at least be aware of the cost and prepare for it. One last note on cars, you also pay road tax every May so if you're pscing during that time that may be something else you'll have to pay for and that can run anywhere from $75 for smaller cars or $190 (I think) for bigger cars. (My husband and I both had big cars so when road tax came around we spent a pretty penny on that!)
4. Whether you do it now or when you make it to Okinawa, invest in a good dehumidifier... maybe even two. And know that you may be emptying these suckers at least once a day. If you haven't guessed yet.... it gets EXTREMELY HUMID! I'm talking 100% humidity and it's only 6 oclock in the morning! You may find yourself showering twice a day as well.
5. Take advantage of all the base has to offer. The AFB is huuuuuge and they put on so many great events. They had John Legend there for Christmas last year and he was phenomenal and they just had Usher out there (so bummed we missed that). There is a community center (I used to work there) that offers classes for a adults and children including Japanese language classes and driving classes for teens. This is also a great place to get information about things around the island they have tons of pamphlets and information on lots of places plus there are a couple of Japanese locals that work there and they know everything! I also suggest joining the Enlisted Spouses Club (or the Officers Spouses Club) because they having monthly socials where they all get together and have food and drinks and do an activity. For Christmas we did a 5 favorite things gift exchange. Every one brought 5 of one favorite thing and then you picked 5 names and you got to pick a favorite thing from each name and that is what you went home with. Here is one of the gifts I came home with.
Another social I really enjoyed was sign painting. A wife on base had a business called "Get Your Sign On" and she pre cuts wood signs in a variety of patterns and then everyone paints theirs however they want. It was so much fun and I love being able to hang my sign on my front door plus you meet some great people.
6. If you are wondering about day care for your kids they have 2 CDC's on base (that's how big this base is) however, I didn't care to much for them and ended up taking my son off base after 4 days at the CDC. I put my son in day care at Rainbow Montessori School and they were absolutely amazing. I highly recommend this day care, my son learned so much while he was there and he loved all of his teachers. It is ran by Japanese locals but they speak English very well and the majority of kids are military kids. It is also right next to the base.
7. Do you plan on working on base? There are plenty of places to work and if you check out NAF Jobs (or MCCS Okinawa for marine bases) you will find the job openings that are available, mostly customer service. You can also try USA Jobs for even more opportunities. I loved working on base it was how I made the majority of my good friends that I still have today.
8. Last thing, ENJOY IT! I know it'll be hard being so far from family and you are gonna get a complete culture shock, but it really is an amazing opportunity. The island is beautiful and offers so much to do. You can travel to all kinds of places fairly cheap. And it is true what they say, you really do make some of the best friends overseas. They are your family while you are away from yours.
I hope you can take some of this info and use it to help you with your big move and I hope you enjoy your time overseas and take advantage of all the island has to offer!
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
XOXO,
Baylee
4. Whether you do it now or when you make it to Okinawa, invest in a good dehumidifier... maybe even two. And know that you may be emptying these suckers at least once a day. If you haven't guessed yet.... it gets EXTREMELY HUMID! I'm talking 100% humidity and it's only 6 oclock in the morning! You may find yourself showering twice a day as well.
5. Take advantage of all the base has to offer. The AFB is huuuuuge and they put on so many great events. They had John Legend there for Christmas last year and he was phenomenal and they just had Usher out there (so bummed we missed that). There is a community center (I used to work there) that offers classes for a adults and children including Japanese language classes and driving classes for teens. This is also a great place to get information about things around the island they have tons of pamphlets and information on lots of places plus there are a couple of Japanese locals that work there and they know everything! I also suggest joining the Enlisted Spouses Club (or the Officers Spouses Club) because they having monthly socials where they all get together and have food and drinks and do an activity. For Christmas we did a 5 favorite things gift exchange. Every one brought 5 of one favorite thing and then you picked 5 names and you got to pick a favorite thing from each name and that is what you went home with. Here is one of the gifts I came home with.
 |
| My hand painted wood Japanese doll that hangs out on my TV stand. |
Another social I really enjoyed was sign painting. A wife on base had a business called "Get Your Sign On" and she pre cuts wood signs in a variety of patterns and then everyone paints theirs however they want. It was so much fun and I love being able to hang my sign on my front door plus you meet some great people.
 |
| The wooden sign I made myself. I love getting to display it on my front door. |
6. If you are wondering about day care for your kids they have 2 CDC's on base (that's how big this base is) however, I didn't care to much for them and ended up taking my son off base after 4 days at the CDC. I put my son in day care at Rainbow Montessori School and they were absolutely amazing. I highly recommend this day care, my son learned so much while he was there and he loved all of his teachers. It is ran by Japanese locals but they speak English very well and the majority of kids are military kids. It is also right next to the base.
7. Do you plan on working on base? There are plenty of places to work and if you check out NAF Jobs (or MCCS Okinawa for marine bases) you will find the job openings that are available, mostly customer service. You can also try USA Jobs for even more opportunities. I loved working on base it was how I made the majority of my good friends that I still have today.
8. Last thing, ENJOY IT! I know it'll be hard being so far from family and you are gonna get a complete culture shock, but it really is an amazing opportunity. The island is beautiful and offers so much to do. You can travel to all kinds of places fairly cheap. And it is true what they say, you really do make some of the best friends overseas. They are your family while you are away from yours.
I hope you can take some of this info and use it to help you with your big move and I hope you enjoy your time overseas and take advantage of all the island has to offer!
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
XOXO,
Baylee
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