• Location, Climate, Population
• Typhoon Readiness
• Japanese MoneyLanguage Hints
• Shopping on Okinawa
• Japanese Pay Phones
• Japanese National Holidays and Festivals
• Emergency Numbers
• Base Services and Phone Numbers
• Etiquette in Japan
• Food in Okinawa
• Superstitions
  

 

Location, Climate, Population

Okinawa can be found between mainland Japan and Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean and is considered an international resort destination. It is found in the same latitude zone as destinations such as Hawaii, Florida, and the Bahamas, therefore belonging to the world-class resort belt. The total land area of the Okinawa Prefecture is about 2,267.48 km2 or 922 square miles with Okinawa itself just being 108km or 67 miles long and about 3.2km-25.6km or 2-16 miles wide.

The only prefecture in Japan that is truly subtropical, Okinawa is a southern paradise where colorful flowers of the subtropics bloom the year-round. The sea that surrounds these islands has an emerald-green sheen, and the resplendent coral reefs are among the world's finest. With an annual average temperature of 23.4 degrees Celsius or 74 degrees Fahrenheit, Okinawa receives about 200cm or 82.7 inches of rainfall per year, making it wet and humid.

A seasonal wind blows from the south in summer and from the north in winter. Since Okinawa is located in a subtropical area, typhoons are a common occurrence in Okinawa and are likely to reach the island when at their peak. For more information on typhoons check under "Typhoon Readiness." The capital of Okinawa is Naha City in the southern part of the island. A 2004 estimate by the Okinawa Prefecture puts the population at 1,300,000 with 468,000 households.

Typhoon Readiness

If you are from the East Coast of the United States, you might be familiar with hurricanes. In Okinawa, these tropical cyclones are called typhoons. If an area of low pressure with wind speeds higher than 17 meters per second is developed in the tropics, it is called a typhoon. Typhoon season in Okinawa is between June and November, and the number of typhoons hitting the island changes each year.

A year with very few typhoons can result into a water shortage for the island, whereas a year with many typhoons results in high damage to the island's infrastructure, crops, fishery, and coral reefs. Even if a typhoon is relatively small, its high wind speed can still blow street signs, flowerpots, and outside toys around, so you should regularly check typhoon conditions on TV or radio.

The U.S. forces personnel in Japan has published a "Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness" table (TCCOR) (see below) to prevent injury and property damage through awareness and preparation. Check out the current TCCOR here. Also check out the "Joint Typhoon Warning Center" website to get current information and satellite pictures on typhoons: https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc.php.

Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness (TCCOR)
TROPICAL STORM: Maximum sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots
TYPHOON: Maximum sustained winds of 64 knots or greater

TCCOR 4 (TC-4): Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 72 hours. TCCOR 4 will be continuously in effect as a minimum condition of readiness from 1 July to 30 November annually. Now is the time to stock-up on food and typhoon supplies.

TCCOR 3 (TC-3): Destructive winds of 50 knots are greater are possible within 48 hours. Institute a general clean-up around homes and office.

TCCOR 2 (TC-2): Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are expected within 24 hours. Remove or secure all outside items.

TCCOR 1 (TC-1): Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are expected within 12 hours. No school for DoDDS students. Staff and teachers will work normal hours, unless changed by DoDDS superintendent. Fill any containers you can use for water storage. If you live in low lying quarters, make arrangements to stay with a friend. Make final check of food and other supplies.

TCCOR 1-CAUTION (TC-1C): Caution: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated within 12 hours. Actual winds are 34-49 knots. All nonessential personnel will be released to their quarters at this time. DoDDS Schools will close at this time. Staff and teachers return home or remain home. Base Exchange, shops, Commissary, Shoppette, gas station, service facilities, clubs, restaurants, recreational facilities and Post Office will close. Movement about the base should be kept to a minimum. SFS will enforce "essential vehicles only" policy (reference Base O-Plan 32-1 "Base Disaster Operations Plan").

TCCOR 1-EMERGENCY (TC-1E): Emergency: Actual winds of 50 knots or greater. All outside activity is prohibited.

TCCOR 1-RECOVERY (TC-1R): Recovery: Destructive winds of 50 knots are no longer occurring. Actual winds are 34-49 knots. Nonessential functions remain closed unless directed by the commander. All but emergency essential personnel remain in their quarters.

STORM WATCH (TC-SW): The typhoon is moving away but the base is still feeling some effects. Hazardous conditions may exist due to storm damage. In some cases the storm could return to Okinawa, so stay alert. All military and civilian personnel will return to work within 2 hours or at normal duty hours unless otherwise instructed by their commander. The Commissary and BX will resume operations, unless directed otherwise by the installation commander.

ALL CLEAR: Hazardous conditions and winds are no longer present. Return to normal duties. All Clear is announced when all hazards have been cleared. DoDDS teachers, staff and students will return to school during normal hours. From July 1st to November 30th Okinawa will return to TCCOR 4.

The final decision on TCCOR declaration rests with the Commander, 18th Wing base on wind speed, weather forecast, safety, and operational/mission concerns. The CG MCB Camp Butler may elect to set a higher restrictive condition for all Okinawa Marine Corps Bases and personnel.

Before the typhoon season begins:

• Stock canned food and bottled water.
• Keep battery-operated radio and flashlights, spare batteries, candles, and matches.
• Make sure windows are sealed and not cracked. If so, report to housing to be repaired.
• If you have an infant or toddler, make sure you have enough water, formula, and diapers for 5 days.

 

Japanese Money

The yen is the Japanese currency unit. There are four kinds of bills (10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 1,000 yen) and six kinds of coins (500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen, 1 yen). Japanese currency is designed to facilitate easy use by people with sight impairments. All of the bills and coins are different sizes. For example, the bills descend in size from 10,000 Yen to 1,000 Yen. Each bill also has raised bumps in the bottom, left corner (if looking at the bill from the front).

Before your visit to Japan, you may consider changing money into yen. Buying yen in other countries than Japan usually costs more, so it is recommended that you buy yen once you are in Japan. You can exchange your currencies into yen at authorized foreign exchange banks for a better exchange rate. On all American military bases on Okinawa, you can exchange U.S. dollars into Yen at the Community Bank facilities.

A lot of businesses do not accept currency other than Japanese, and many businesses do not accept credit cards in Japan/Okinawa.

Language Hints
Greetings
O-ha-yoo Go-z-i Ma-su
Good morning.

Kon-ni-chi-wa
Good afternoon.

Konn-ban-wa
Good evening.

O-ya-su-mi Na-sa-i
Good night.

(O)gen-ki De-su-ka
How are you?

Hi, gen-ki De-su. A-na-ta-wa
I'm fine thank you. And you?

Introduce Yourself to Someone
Ha-ji-me Ma-shi-te
How do you do?

Wa-ta-shi-no Na-ma-e wa (Natsu) De-su
My name is Natsu.

A-na-ta-no Na-ma-e wa Nan De-su-ka
What is your name?

Doo-zo-Yo-ro-shi-ku (o-ne-gai-shi-mas-su)
Pleased to meet you.

At a Store
Su-mi-ma-se-n
Excuse me.

Ko-re wa I-ku-ra De-su-ka
How much is this?

Ko-re O Ku-da-sa-i
Please give me this.

At a Restaurant
(O)mi-zu O ku-da-sa-i
Please bring me water.

Me-nyu O O-ne-gai-shi-ma-su
Please bring me a menu.

Koo-hii O O-ne-gai-shi-ma-su
I would like to have coffee please.

Oi-shii Desu
It is delicious.

Den-pi-yoo O O-ne-gai-shi-ma-su
Please bring me a bill.

Useful Words
Toi-re Wa Do-ko De-su-ka
Would you tell me where is a toilet?

Koko Ni Chu-sa De-ki-ma-su-ka
Can I park my car here?

Go-men-na-sai
I am sorry.

Doo-mo Ari-ga-to
Thank you very much.

Doo-I-ta-shi-ma-shi-te
You are welcome.

Ja-ma-ta A-to-de(ne)
See you later.

Wa-ta-shi-no Den-wa Ban-go wa…
My telephone number is…

Numbers
Ichi, Ni, San, Shi, Go
One, two, three, four, five

Roku, Nana, Hachi. Kyu, Ju
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten

 

Shopping on Okinawa

If you go shopping for clothing or shoes in the local Okinawan shops, you will notice a big difference in the sizing tags from those we are used to seeing in our department stores back home. Shoes marked "size 25" or blouses in "size ML or LL" most always get a second glance and a questionable look from the American shopper. This list may take a little of the confusion away and help make your shopping trips more pleasurable and rewarding.

Women's Shoes
Japanese Size: 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
American Size: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Men's Shoes
Japanese Size: 25 25.5 26 26.5 27 27.5 28
American Size: 7 7 ½ 8 8 ½ 9 9 ½ 10

Socks (Adult)
Japanese Size: 22 23 24 25 26
American Size: 8 8 ½ 9 9 ½ 10

Shirts (Men's)
Japanese Size: 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
American Size: 14 14 ½ 15 15 ½ 16 16 ½ 17

Sweaters (Men's)
Japanese Size: M ML L LL
American Size: 34 36 38 40

Dresses/Coats (Women's)
Japanese Size: ML L LL
American Size: 10 12 14

Dresses/Coats (Children's)
Japanese Size: 3 4 7 9 11 S M
American Size: 2 4 6 8 10 13 15

 

Japanese Pay Phones

Red Phones: Accept 10 yen coins only.

Turquoise and Gray Phones: These phones are usually located in phone booths and accept up to 10 ten yen coins and 10 hundred yen coins. The smaller turquoise phones are usually located in open boxes and accept up to 6 ten yen coins and 6 hundred yen coins. If you know that you are going to use the phone for a few minutes, use a ten yen coin because you won't get change. These phones have a small red box located above or to the side of the phone, which is used to dial two emergency numbers: 110 for Police and 119 for the Fire Department/Ambulance. These numbers may be dialed without depositing coins. A phone card can be used to make calls on these phones.

Pink Phones: These are privately owned phones, but are used as public phones in night clubs, coffee shops, restaurants and other establishments for customers. These phones will accept only 1 ten yen coin at a time. One ten yen coin will allow approximately three minutes of conversation.

Note: A phone card can be purchased from a card machine. For local calls, it costs 500 yen for 50 minutes or 1,000 yen for 100 minutes.

 

Japanese National Holidays and Festivals

Below is a listing with a brief explanation of the official government holidays that are observed in Japan, as well as special observances that are not legal holidays. As in America, don't plan on getting any business accomplished on legal holidays; however, stores and shops are usually open. Legal holidays are marked with an (H).

1 January - Ganjisu - New Year's Day (H)
New Years in Japan has a much deeper significance than we place on it in America. The New Year's Eve observances are not nearly as party-oriented as ours, and the time just before midnight is usually quiet and reverent. Most Japanese will visit their local shrine or temple at midnight. Actually, the time leading up to January first can be more significant than the day itself.

Second Monday in January (date varies) - Seijin no Hi - Coming-of-Age Day (H)
This day honors young people who will turn 20 years old any time between 2 April of the previous year and 1 April of the current year. This is the age when Japanese are considered adults. Each community holds a ceremony a civic center, park, or temple. This is a legal holiday that is a significant event in Japanese society.

3 February - Setsubun - Coming of Spring
This is not a holiday in Japan but a popular observance. Traditionally, it prepares for the coming of spring in an old calendar, but also is used to purify the home and expel evil spirits. On the night of Setsubun, households perform a "Mame Maki (Bean Throwing)" ceremony. They use roasted soy beans and toss them about house and also out the doors and windows. They say "Oni was soto! Fuku wa uchi!" "Out with the goblins and in with good fortune." Folks then eat the same number of beans as their age. It is believed that this will ward of sickness during the year. This has become more of a ritual than a firm belief and is still practiced for the fun it entails.

11 February - Kenkoku Kinen no Hi - National Foundation Day (H)
This day commemorates the legendary rule of Japan's first Emperor, Jimmu.

14 February - Valentine's Day
This is not a holiday, of course but very much like our Valentine's Day with a twist. In Japan, girls give gifts to boys on Valentine's Day but boys don't reciprocate until a month later on White Day. Chocolate is the gift of choice, and it is everywhere in the days leading up to the 14th.

3 March - Hina Matsuri - Doll Festival
This is not a holiday, but it is widely observed. While you may see displays of dolls in traditional garb, families usually observe the day quietly in the home. This festival is for girls and usually entails displaying finely crafted dolls places on a tiered pedestal. More elaborate displays will include miniature furniture, artificial plants, model weapons, and even an oxcart. This practice dates from the early Edo period (1600 - 1868).

14 March - White Day
This is not a holiday, but a popular observance that allow the boys to return Valentine's Day favors. And, once again, chocolate is the gift of choice.

21 March - Shumbun no Hi - Vernal Equinox Day (H)
This is one of two days each year where the day and night are of equal length. This is the central day of a Buddhist memorial service and is traditionally a day for visits to family graves.

Hanami - Cherry Blossom Viewing
The blossoms of the flowering cherry tree (Sakura) typically signal the coming of spring throughout Japan. These trees grow wild in all regions of the country, but are also cultivated because of the beauty and delicate nature of the blossoms. Just about any park in the country will boast at least a few Sakura. The Sakura begin to bloom as early as February in Okinawa and as late as mid-May on Hokkaido. In the Utsunomiya area, they typically bloom in late April.

Cherry blossom viewing is among the most popular gatherings in the country. People from all walks of life meet in public parks with picnic lunches, beer and sake, and portable Karaoke machines to celebrate this colorful and significant occasion. Because of the fragile nature of the blossoms, they do not decorate the trees for long. It is only a matter of days after they burst open that the petals will fall to the ground. The slightest breeze creates a shower of petals similar to show flurries of the recently ended winter.

The period between 29 April and 5 May is known as Golden Week. Schools and most businesses close on the 29th and then from the 3rd through the 5th. With weekends included this makes for a very nice spring break.

29 April - Midori no Hi - Green Day (H)
This is a day for nature appreciation. Japan is a land of natural beauty that is admired and protected by all its people. This was the birthday of the last Emperor, Hirohito, and was a holiday for that reason until his death. In 1989, it was changed to its present name in honor of Emperor Hirohito's love of and attention to nature.

3 May - Kempo Kinembi - Constitution Day (H)
This day commemorates the implementation of Japan's modern constitution, which became effective in 1947.

4 May - Kokumin no Hi - National People's Day (H)
This day is dedicated to all the people of Japan as a group.

5 May - Kodomo no Hi - Children's Day (H)
This day is set aside for traditional prayers for the health and happiness of all the country's children.

20 July - Umi no Hi - Ocean Day (H)
This is a more recently declared holiday and recognizes the love the late Emperor Hirohito had for the sea as well as the contribution the ocean makes to the Japanese way of life.

15 September - Keiro no Hi - Respect for the Aged Day (H)
This day honors Japan's elderly and shows respect for their longevity. It was established to commemorate the enactment of the law concerning welfare for the aged.

23 September - Shubun no Hi - Autumnal Equinox Day (H)
This is the second time each year that the day and night are of equal length. Visits to family graves and family reunions occur today. This is the central day of a Buddhist memorial period.

2nd Monday in October - Taiiku no Hi - Sports Day (H)
People enthusiastically celebrate good physical and mental health through physical activity on this day. This holiday was established to commemorate the Tokyo Summer Olympics of 1964. Schools will hold races and other forms of competition in which all students participate and entire families attend and sometimes take part in some of the events.

3 November - Bunka no Hi - Culture Day (H)
The love of freedom and wish for continued peace as fostered by Japan's current Constitution are celebrated with cultural activities.

23 November - Kinro Kansha no Hi - Labor Thanksgiving Day (H)
On this day, people traditionally express gratitude to each other for the blessing that their labors have produced and for the fruits of that labor.

23 December - Tenno Tanjobi - Emperor's Birthday (H)
This is the celebration of the birth of the current Emperor, Akihito.

 

Emergency Numbers

Fire/Ambulance/Police
On Base 911
Off Base 911-5111, then dial 911 when you hear the dial tone

Fire (Off Base) 119 + __________________
(record number in above space of closest off base fire department)

Military/Security/Police
(Calling from on base)
Courtney/McTureous 622-9608
Foster/Lester 645-7441/7442
Futenma 636-3140
Hansen /Schwab 623-4165
Kadena 634-2475
Kinser 637-3500
Torii Station 644-4715
White Beach 642-2200

(Calling from off base)
Courtney/McTureous 911-5111, ext. 9608
Foster/Lester 911-5111
Futenma 911-5111, ext. 3140
Hansen/Schwab 911-5111, ext. 4165
Kadena 938-1110, ext. 2246
Kinser 911-5111, ext. 3500
Torii Station 911-5111, ext. 4715
White Beach 911-5111, ext. 2383

Police (Off Base) 119 + __________________
(record number in above space of closest off base police department)

Poison Control
On Base 643-7700
Off Base 938-1726

Calling from Off Base to On Base Operator

Courtney/McTureous 098-972-6700
Foster/Kinser/Lester 098-892-5111
Kadena/Shields 098-938-1111

To Call Okinawa (Off-Base) from the USA:

011 (International Access) + 81 (Japan Country Code) + 98 (Okinawa Prefecture Code) + Local Number

To Call Okinawa (On-Base) from the USA:

011 + 81 + 6117 + Last 6 Digits of Your Military Phone

To Call the USA from Okinawa (On-Base):

KDDI 99 + 001 + 1 ( + Area Code + Local Number)
Ninja Call 99 + 0053556 + 1 ( + Area Code + Local Number)
MCI 99 + 0071 + 1 ( + Area Code + Local Number)
Japan Telecom 99 + 0041 + 1 ( + Area Code + Local Number)
NTT 99 + 0033 + 1 ( + Area Code + Local Number)

Operator Assistance

From the same base as the operator, dial "0"
From another base to:
Kadena 630-1110
All other bases 640-1110

From off-base to:
Kadena 938-1111
All other bases 911-5111

Base Services and Phone Numbers
Information
Kadena/Shields/Chibana 630-1110
Foster/Butler/Kinser 640-1110
Courtney/Hansen 640-1110
McTureous/Schwab 640-1110

AMC Terminal
Kadena 634-2159
Daily 0600 - 2200
Futenma 636-3039/41
Naha Domestic Airport 840-1179
Naha International Airport 857-6854

American Red Cross
Courtney 622-9729
Foster 645-3800
Hansen 623-4121
Kadena 634-1294
Kinser 637-1017

Arts & Crafts
Courtney 622-7492
Foster 645-3674
Kadena 634-1666
Torii Station 644-4303

Automobile Inspection
Foster 645-4166

Automobile Insurance
Foster (ACE) 645-4602
Hansen (AIU) 623-5025

Automobile Registration
Foster 645-7481

Automobile Rental
Kadena (Fuji Car Rental) 633-0007

Automobile Repair
AAFES Okinawa
Courtney Gas Station 622-6131
Foster Car Care Center 645-4804
Kadena Service Station 633-0416
Kinser Service Station 637-2450

Bank (Community)
Courtney 622-9442
Foster 645-2327/2640
Hansen 623-4534
Kadena 634-2208
Kinser 637-3101
Schwab 625-2554
Torii Station 644-4313

Beauty Shops
Courtney 622-6535
Foster 645-5596
Kadena
Services Mall (BX) 633-9251
Olympic Mall 633-7328
NCO Club 634-2061
Kinser 637-2827

Beauty Shop Hours (at all bases)
Sun - Thurs 1000 - 1800
Fri & Sat 0900 - 2000

Boating Facilities
Hansen 623-4507
Kadena Marina 634-6344
Schwab (Oura Won) 625-3683
White Beach 642-2264/66

Bookmark
Foster 645-7843

Bowling Centers
Butler/Foster 645-7205
Courtney 622-7364
Futenma 636-3084
Hansen 623-4872
Kadena 634-2290
Kadena-Skoshi Bowl 634-5532
Kinser 637-1643
Schwab 625-2383

Boy Scouts
Plaza 645-9236

Bus Barn
Monitor 645-2360
Transportation 645-2036

Cable (Mediatti Broadband Communication)
Foster 645-5125
Kadena 633-2907

Car Rental (Fuji Car Rental) 633-0007

Chapels
Courtney 622-9350
Foster 645-7486
Futenma 636-3058
Hansen 623-4519/4619
Kadena Chapel 1 634-3810
Kadena Chapel 2 634-1288
Kadena Chapel 3 634-1288
Kinser 637-4317
Lester 643-7248
Torii Station 644-4454

Child Development Centers
Courtney 622-7751
Foster 645-3846
Kadena AFB
Before & After School 634-1194
Niko Niko 634-5263
Shima No Ko 632-0265
Wakaba 632-7420
Kinser 637-2293

Clubs/Restaurants
Awase Meadows 645-8463

Butler O'Club 645-3273

Courtney
Bayview (E'Club) 622-9520
Eagle's Nest (O'Club) 622-9541
Courtney Staff NCO 622-9583/1117
Tengen Castle (All Ranks) 622-9413

Foster
Globe & Anchor (E'Club) 645-4842
Whispers (All Ranks) 645-7212

Futenma
Thirsty's (E'Club) 636-3046
Habu Pit (O'Club) 636-3081
Habu Pit (Staff NCO) 636-3091

Hansen
The Palms (All Ranks) 623-4375/4447

Kadena
Banyan Tree Snack Bar 634-4769
Banyan Tree Delivery 634-2055/2863
Chili's 632-4454
Chili's Too 632-6495
Kadena O'Club 632-6071
Kadena Staff NCO (Rocker) 634-0740
Jack's Place 633-5225
Mike's Italian Garden Restaurant 632-6453
Seaside Inn Restaurant 634-6239
Tee House Restaurant (Golf Course) 634-7412
T-Bones Steak House 633-0740

Kinser
Surfside (All Ranks) 637-3137

Lester
Corpman's Cove 645-2891

Schwab
BeachHead (All Ranks) 625-2053

Shields
Crow's Nest Club 632-4102

Torii
Torii All Ranks (Coral Cove) 644-4017

White Beach
Ocean Cliff Club 642-2311
Port of Call Club 642-2345

Commissaries
Kadena 634-3640
Sun - Wed, Fri 1000 - 1900
Thursday 1000 - 2000
Saturday 0900 - 1800

Foster 645-3861
Mon - Wed, Fri 1000 - 1900
Thursday 0800 - 1900
Saturday 0800 - 1800
Sunday 1000 - 1800

Kinser 637-3650
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 0900 - 1800
Wednesday 1100 - 1900
Thurs & Fri 1000 - 1800
Saturday 0900 - 1700
Sunday 1000 - 1700

Consulate (American)
From On Base 645-7323
From Off Base 098-876-4211

Credit Unions
Navy Federal
Courtney 622-6832
Foster 645-7331
Futenma 636-4200/01
Hansen 623-5062/7
Kinser 637-2342
Schwab 625-3863

Pentagon Federal
Kadena 632-7328

Crisis Hotline
Help Line 634-4357
Spouse Abuse Line 634-3123
Suicide Prevention 634-4357
Teen Care Line 634-2273
Crises Line (Off-Base) 098-938-0992

DAPS (Document Automation & Production Services)
Foster 645-3261
Kadena 634-1340

Dental
Air Force 634-1011
Bush (Courtney) 622-7539
Evans (Foster) 645-7381/82
Flightline (CFAO) 634-6420
Futenma 636-3171
Hansen 623-4657/8
Kinser 637-1610/2828

Driver's License
Foster 645-3369
Kadena 634-4172

Entomology (Bugs & Pests) 634-1961

Exchanges
Courtney 622-6101
Mon - Sat 1000 - 1900
Sun 1000 - 1800

Foster 645-4882/2536
Daily 0900 - 2100

Futenma 636-4156
Mon - Sat 0700 - 2100
Sun 0900 - 2100

Hansen 623-5619
Daily 0900 - 2100

Home Traditions 645-8236
Daily 1000 - 2000

Kadena 633-4570/71/72
Daily 0900 - 2100

Kinser 637-5127
Daily 1000 - 2000

Schwab 625-3843
Sun - Thurs 1000 - 2000
Fri & Sat 1000 - 2100

Torii Station 644-4502
Daily 0800 - 2200

White Beach (Ship's Store) 642-2360
Mon - Thurs 1000 - 1900
Fri 1000 - 2000
Sat & Sun 0800 - 2000

Family Support Center
Kadena 634-3366
Lester 645-2104

Family Support Center Hours (at all bases)
Mon - Fri 0730 - 1630

Fitness Centers
Air Force
Falcon Fitness 634-1128
Risner 634-5128
Tennis Center (Pro Shop) 634-3157

Army
Torii Station 644-4334

Marine Corps
Courtney 622-9221
Foster Field House 645-3985
Foster Gunners Gym 645-2705
Futenma Semper Fit 636-2674
Futenma McCutcheon 636-3241
Hansen 623-4831
Kinser 637-1114
Schwab 625-2442/2618

Navy
Camp Shields 632-4014
White Beach 642-2429

Florist
Foster 645-5768
Kadena 633-4528

Furniture (Government) Warehouse 632-4311

Gift Shops
Air Force (Kadena) 633-3161
Tues 1000 - 1700
Wed, Fri, Sat 1000 - 1400

Air Force Annex 633-4549
Tues 1000 - 1700
Sat 1000 - 1400

Marine Corps (Foster) 645-5194
Tues & Sat 0930 - 1530
Thurs & Fri 0930 - 1330

Marine Corps Annex 645-4260
Same as main gift shop

Navy (Lester Home Store) 643-7841
Wednesday 1000 - 1800
Thurs - Sat 1000 - 1500
Navy (Lester Kids Cottage) 645-8812
Wed - Sat 1000 - 1500

Girl Scouts
Plaza 645-2323

Golf Courses
Awase Meadows 645-3752
Banyan Tree (Kadena) 634-1528
Chibana 632-4101

Hospital (USNH)
Information 643-7555
Emergency Room 643-7338/7329
From Off Base 893-1984

Housing Offices
Courtney 622-7317
Kadena 634-0582
Kinser 637-3736

Housing Maintenance 634-4663

Internet Services
Mediatti Broadband Communications
Foster 645-5125
Kadena 633-2907
Military Access/Jens Corporation 632-7657
Konnect 645-1730/1731
Konnect Café 645-1004
Sunny-Net 938-7770
The Spot 645-2628
Vision One 921-0002

Karing Kennels Chibana 632-4062

Legal Assistance
Foster 645-7144
Hansen 623-4177

Libraries
Courtney 622-9280
Foster 645-7178
Futenma 636-3946
Hansen 623-7372
Kadena 634-1502
Kinser 637-1039
Schwab 625-2518
Torii Station 644-4468

Loan Closet
Kadena 634-3600
Foster 645-7805

Locator Service
Worldwide (USMC) 645-2644
CFAO/NAKF (USN) 634-8259
NMCB (USN) 634-6310
Base Locator (24 hours) 645-7218
Kadena 634-3374

Lodges
Courtney 622-9578
Kadena (Shogun Inn) 632-1010/1011/1012
Habu Hilton 634-0677
Hansen 623-7340
West Pac Inn 645-2455

Lodges Off-Base
Eagle Lodge 936-3651
Hamagawa 936-7139
Hotel Grand Mer 931-1567/932-8501
Hotel Kasuga 973-1121

MCCS
Courtney 622-7381
Foster 645-3524
Futenma 636-2131
Hansen 623-7179
Kinser 637-2350
Make Contact (Consumer Relations) 645-2628
Schwab 625-2740

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Foster 645-7808
Hansen 623-5043/5053
Kinser 637-2112/4385

Outdoor Recreation
Marine MCCS Rental
Courtney 622-9221
Foster 645-3909
Futenma 636-2674
Hansen 623-7001
Kinser 637-1114
Schwab 625-2654
Kadena 634-3689
Torii Station 644-4795

Pass & ID Office
Air Force - Kadena 634-4172
Army - Torii Station 644-4257
Marine Corps
Foster 645-4038/4039
Hansen 623-7167
Kinser 637-1706
Navy - PSD (Kadena) 634-6322/6323

Personal Service Centers
Courtney 622-7332
Foster 645-2104
Hansen 623-4522
Futenma 636-2143
Kinser 637-2815
Schwab 625-2622

Personal Service Center Hours (at all bases)
Mon - Fri 0730 - 1630

Poison Control 643-7700

Portrait Studio
Foster 645-3851/5261

Post Offices
Courtney 622-9687
Foster 645-2943
Futenma 636-3144
Hansen 623-4973
Kadena 634-4240
Kinser 637-1301
Lester 643-2025/2026
Schwab 625-2547
White Beach 642-2327

Recreational Get-Aways
Dragon Hill Lodge (Seoul, Korea) 229-7121 (DSN)
Hale Koa (Waikiki Beach, Hawaii) 738-2222 (DSN)
New Sanno (Tokyo, Japan) 229-7121 (DSN)
Okuma Reservations 632-4386
Resort 098-041-5164
Oura Wan 645-2455
White Beach 634-6952

Schools
Part Day Enrichment Program
Courtney 632-0265
Kadena (Niko Niko) 634-5263
Kadena (Shima No Ko) 632-0265
Kadena (Wakaba) 632-7420
Kinser 645-4117

Preschools
Lester (Kuwae) 645-8419

Elementary
Amelia Earhart (Kadena) 634-1329
Bechtal (McTureous) 622-7504
Bob Hope (Kadena) 634-0093
Kadena 634-1550
Killin (Foster) 645-7760
Kinser 637-3008
Stearley (Kadena) 634-4523
Zukeran 645-2576

Middle Schools
Kadena 634-0217
Lester 645-7787

High Schools
Kadena 634-1712
Kubasaki 645-4876

Scuba Lockers
Kadena Marina 634-6344
Torii Station 644-4290
Tsunami Gear
Courtney 622-9795
Foster 645-4206
Hansen 623-7717
Kinser 637-2027
Schwab 625-2691

Self-Help Stores
Courtney 622-5003
Foster 645-3099
Kadena 634-3469
Kinser 637-2533

Shopettes
Courtney 622-6613
Daily 0900 - 2200

Foster 645-4161
Open 24 Hours

Kadena (Fairchild) 634-2539
Open 24 Hours

Kadena (Flightline) 634-9017
Monday - Friday 0600 - 1800

Kadena (Olympic Mall) 633-0293
Daily 0700 - 2200

Kinser 637-3539
Daily 0900 - 2300

Lester 646-4308
Daily 0700 - 2000

McTureous 622-6403
Monday - Friday 0630 - 2130
Saturday & Sunday 0900 - 2130

Plaza 645-6220
Daily 1200 - 2000

Shields 632-3001
Monday - Friday 1200 - 2000
Saturday 0800 - 2000
Sunday 0800 - 1800

White Beach 642-2360
Sunday - Thursday 0800 - 1800
Friday & Saturday 0800 - 2000

Swimming Pools
Courtney 622-9662
Foster 25M 645-7554
Foster 50M 645-2210
Futenma 636-3518
Hagerstrom 634-2903
Hansen 623-4944
Kinser 637-1592
Kubasaki 645-9190
Lester 645-3873
McTureous 622-7397
Plaza 645-2970
Schwab 625-2023
Torii Station 644-4389
White Beach 642-2316

Taxi
On/Off-base (Mieho Taxi) 937-2467
AAFES (Foster) 645-2460
AAFES (Kadena) 633-1405/6

Theaters
Courtney 622-9616
Foster 645-3465
Futenma 636-3890
Hansen 623-4564
Keystone (Kadena) 634-1869
Kinser 637-2177
Schwab 625-2333

Thrift Shops
Foster 645-6025
Tues - Thurs 1000 - 1500
Saturday 0900 - 1400
Kadena 633-0436
Tues - Sat 0900 - 1400

Time Recording 634-8463

TMO
Courtney 622-7561
Foster 645-5309
Kadena 634-7022

Towing Service
24 Hour Island-Wide 090-3794-2556
Foster 645-7169
Kadena 634-1126

Travel & Tours
AMC Terminal 634-2159
Daily 6am - 10pm
Futenma Terminal 636-3039/3041
Chubo Tourist Service 937-7000
Courtney (Omega) 622-5411
Courtney (SATO) 622-6118
Foster (MCCS Tours +) 646-3502
Foster (Omega) 645-1099
Futenma (Omega) 636-4777
Hansen (MCCS Tours +) 623-6344
Hansen (Omega) 623-6147
HIS Travel 982-7600
HIT 983-4646
Kadena (ITT) 634-0859
Kinser (MCCS Tours +) 637-2744
Kinser (Omega) 637-6997
Kinser (SATO) 637-0079
OTS 933-1152
Schilling Community Center 634-4626
Torii Station (SATO) 644-5298

Uniform Shops
Foster 645-6490
Hansen 623-5641
Kadena 634-3555
Kinser 637-3405
Schwab 625-3630

USO
Futenma 636-5202
Hansen 623-5011
Kadena 633-0438
Schwab 625-3834

Veterinary Clinic
Kadena 634-1362
Mon - Thurs 0730 - 2100
Friday 0730 - 2000
Saturday 0730 - 1200

Weather/Typhoon Information 634-4081

Youth/Teen Centers
Courtney Teen Center 622-9702
Foster Teen Center 645-2373/7301
Kadena Youth Center 634-0500
Kadena Teen Center 634-3866
Kinser Youth Center 637-3760
Kinser Teen Center 637-1755
Kishaba Youth Center 645-8012
McTureous Youth Center 622-9051

 

Etiquette in Japan

As a foreigner, trying to understand what exactly correct etiquette is in Japanese society can often seem to be an almost impossible task. There are so many different codes of behavior for so many occasions, sooner or later you feel you'll slip up and cause a cultural faux pas. Please don't give up, try your best. and you will be appreciated for the effort that you've made.

Gift Giving
If you are invited to a Japanese family's house, always take something with you to give to the hostess. Flowers are ideal, or some nicely presented food. Do not be offended if your hostess does not open the gift in front of you. It is the height of bad manners to open the gift immediately. It does not mean she doesn't appreciate it; on the contrary she will be highly delighted at your thoughtfulness. Likewise, if you are given something, you should observe the same convention. Still, as a foreigner, it is quite likely that you will be urged to open it at once. However, unless you are invited to, please don't.

Table Manners
Many people who visit Japan are excited about the variety of food available. On the other hand, many people are a little nervous about table manners and how to eat Japanese food. Basic table manners in Japan are important for visitors to know.

1. Itadaki-masu & Gochisou-sama
The most important table etiquette in Japan is saying traditional phrases before and after a meal. Japanese people say, "Itadaki-masu" before a meal and say "Gochisou-sama" after a meal. These phrases mean thanks for the food and also indicate the beginning and the ending of a meal. If you are eating with Japanese people, try to say these phrases.

2. Chopsticks Etiquette
Japanese people use knives and forks for western food such as spaghetti and steak. Also, spoons are used for eating certain dishes, such as stew, curry rice, and desserts. However, chopsticks are the most frequently used utensils in Japan. Restaurants in Japan serve disposable wooden chopsticks.

One rule of chopsticks etiquette is not to directly pass food from your chopsticks to somebody else's chopsticks or vice versa. The reason this is taboo is that the bones of the cremated body are passed in that way from person to person in Japanese funerals.

When you get food from large serving dishes, you may use the clean top ends of your chopsticks, if serving chopsticks are not available. Then, you use the other ends to bring food in your mouth. It sounds weird, but it is considered to be polite in Japan.

Fun Fact: In Japan, chopsticks were originally considered precious and were used exclusively for religious ceremonies. The earliest chopsticks used for eating looked like tweezers; they were made from one piece of bamboo that was joined at the top. By the 10th century, chopsticks were being produced in two separate pieces. Japanese chopsticks differed in design from Chinese chopsticks in that they were rounded and came to a point; they were also shorter (7 inches long for females and 8 inches long for males). The Japanese usually made their chopsticks out of wood. Starting in the 17th century, they were the first to lacquer these wooden chopsticks, making them slippery but usable. The Japanese were also the first to create disposable wooden chopsticks (called wari-bashi) in 1878. Traditionally, chopsticks have been made from a variety of materials. Bamboo has been the most popular because it is inexpensive, readily available, easy to split, resistant to heat, and has no perceptible odor or taste. Cedar, sandalwood, teak, pine, and bone have also been used. The wealthy, however, often had chopsticks made from jade, gold, bronze, brass, agate, coral, ivory, and silver. In fact, during dynastic times it was thought that silver chopsticks would turn black if they came into contact with poisoned food.

3. How to eat Japanese Food
It is polite and proper to lift small bowls of rice or soup when you eat. It prevents you from dropping food. When you do not get a soup spoon, it is proper to drink the soup out of the bowl and eat the solid food with chopsticks. For large pieces of food, you separate the piece into small pieces with your chopsticks, or you just bite a piece off and put the rest back onto your plate.

It is a Japanese custom to make some slurping noises while eating noodles such as Soba, udon, and somen. People say it tastes better if they make slurping noises. People who eat noodles without a sound could seem strange in Japan.

A very small plate is used for dipping soy sauce. When you eat sushi, you dip sushi in the soy sauce by hands or chopsticks. How to Eat Sushi (below) tells you more. When you eat sashimi (raw fish), you can add wasabi (Japanese horseradish) into the soy sauce and mix it to dip sashimi pieces. It is okay to lift the soy sauce plate by hand. When you eat tempura, a small bowl is used for dipping sauce. Now, you are ready to enjoy meals in Japan.

Japanese Chopsticks Manners
It is important to use chopsticks properly when you eat Japanese food. It might take some time to practice, but it's worth learning it.

How to Hold Chopsticks
Hold the upper chopstick with the index finger, the middle finger, and the thumb. Put the other chopstick between the bottom of the thumb and the tip of the ring finger. Move the upper chopstick only when you pick up food. It's impolite to hold chopsticks with five fingers in Japan.

Bad manners

• Waving chopsticks above food dishes.
• Sticking chopsticks into food instead of picking them up.
• Picking up a cup/bowl with the hand that is holding your chopsticks.
• Sucking chopsticks.
• Sticking chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice.
• Passing food from your chopsticks to somebody else's chopsticks.

How to Pick Up Chopsticks
Pick up chopsticks by the thumb, the index fingers, and the middle fingers. Support the chopsticks by the other hand. Hold the chopsticks properly.

Extra Chopsticks Tip
When you finished using disposable chopsticks (wari-bashi), put them back in the bag and fold the bag in half. This indicates that they are used. Enjoy Japanese meals!

How to Eat Sushi

Learn simple steps for eating sushi the right way. Here's How:

1. Clean your hands by using an oshibori (hot towel).
2. Put soy sauce for dipping in the small dish.
3. Mix a bit of wasabi (Japanese horse radish) with the soy sauce if you want. Since wasabi is already placed in each sushi piece, you don't need to do this.
4. When you eat nigiri-zushi (hand-pressed sushi), pick up one sushi piece between your thumb and middle finger, putting the index finger on top.
5. Dip the end of the neta (ingredients/fish slices side) into the soy sauce (not the rice part).
6. Bring the sushi to your mouth and bite in half.
7. Before your next bite, again dip the neta side in the soy sauce.
8. When you eat maki-zushi (rolled sushi), place the whole piece in your mouth if you can. Maki-zushi falls apart easily when you bite.

Tips

• Don't put too much soy sauce in the small dish. It's better to add as you need it.
• Don't dip a whole sushi piece into the soy sauce. The rice part tends to fall apart.
• Try to eat pieces of pickled ginger between different kinds of sushi. It helps to clean your mouth and enhance the flavors

Removing shoes
Foreign visitors unfamiliar with Japanese customs even today can just as easily startle or even anger their hosts by walking into a home without taking off their shoes at the door. Outdoor footwear is left at the door, and most Japanese cannot imagine wearing shoes in the house. The custom is deep-rooted and has not changed despite the widespread shift in the typical lifestyle from that centered around tatami-mat floored rooms to Western-style interiors furnished with tables, chairs, and beds. No matter how tiny the apartment or how westernized the home, people take their shoes off.

Where are shoes removed?
Inside the door of a Japanese house or dwelling, you find an entranceway called the genkan. It is considered an important place, perhaps not so much in a small apartment, but very much so in ordinary condominiums or single family dwellings, as the "face" the household shows the world outside. There are many kinds and sizes of genkan, and usually the hallway or entrance hall beyond it is one step higher. As a general rule the smaller the genkan the lower the step. When there is frequent traffic in and out of a house, shoes may be left right in the genkan, and usually it is equipped with a geta-bako, or shoe cupboard to put away unused shoes. Nearby, as one steps up into the house, there is likely to be a slipper rack, holding pairs of slippers to be worn in the house. Japanese use slippers in their homes, although they do not wear them in rooms floored with tatami because the scuffing easily damages the surface of the mats. A separate set of slippers is provided for use in the toilet. In this way, not only is there a clear distinction between the inside and outside of a home, but within the home as well between tatami rooms and wood or carpeted floors, and between the toilet and other parts of the house.

Genkan etiquette
Learning the proper way of leaving one's shoes in the genkan is part of the manners every child learns. When visiting someone else's house, it is proper to turn around after stepping up into the hallway, and align your shoes, placing them to one side. Before you leave, you will find they have been turned around and placed in the center, where you can slip into them easily as you depart

School
Shoes are also removed at school. There is a large entry vestibule equipped with shelves or lockers for each student's shoes, where they change from outside footwear to inside shoes. Since there is an assigned cubbyhole for each student, sometimes other things besides shoes may be left there, such as love letters, as often depicted in popular girls' comic stories. Not only in school, but in places closely associated with tradition such as shrines and Buddhist temples, in some clinics and hospitals, as well as in Japanese-style restaurants, shoes are taken off, but are worn in such places as university buildings and most business offices.

Bowing in Japan
Bowing (ojigi) is a very important custom in Japan. Japanese people bow all the time. Most commonly, they greet each other by bowing instead of handshaking. It is impolite not to return a bow to whoever bowed to you! Japanese people tend to become uncomfortable with any physical forms of contact. But, they became used to shaking hands with Westerners. Bowing has many functions in one. It expresses the feeling of respect, thanking, apologizing, greeting, and so on. It's a convenient and important custom for you to learn. You can bow, when you say, "Thank you," "Sorry," "Hello," "Good bye." "Congratulations," "Excuse me," "Good night," "Good Morning," and more!!

Bowing seems simple, but there are different ways of bowing. It depends on the social status or age of the person you bow to. If the person is of higher status or older than you are, you should bow deeper and longer. It is polite to bow, bending from your waist. Men usually keep their hands in their sides, and women usually put their hands together on their thighs with their fingers touching. If it is a casual situation, you can bow like nodding. The most frequent bow is a bow of about 15 degrees. You might feel strange to do it, but try to bow in Japan. With the growing acceptance of the handshake in Japan, you will often see the two combined, especially when a Japanese person is greeting a foreigner. So be prepared. It is very bad manners not to return a bow. When in doubt, take your cue from the other individual. Usually, you will be fine if you return the same level of respect that is presented to you. You will be considered very polite!

Tipping
In a word, DON'T! Giving a gratuity for services rendered to a customer is not an accepted custom in this country. However, for we Americans and most Westerners, this may be one of the hardest customs to get used to. We just naturally include a little extra money to the waitress, cabbie, or bell hop for a job well done. In fact, a tip has become expected even for a job done worse than expected. Many of us feel guilty at first, leaving a restaurant without placing a couple of bills on the table. Don't worry; the cost of the product or service usually takes care of that. Some Japanese would hurry and catch you to return the money you "forgot" to take with you.

Irasshaimase (Ee ra shy ma say)
This is only a word but its proper usage is guided more by custom and propriety, than by mere rules of grammar. This is an extremely formal term which means "welcome." It is used to greet customers when they enter a store or restaurant. It is also used by family members to greet special guests or perhaps first-time guests to their home. A more informal version (Irasshai) is used when the guest is more well known or in some bars and other less formal settings. This word is exclaimed loudly by the employees of most businesses when you enter.

Business cards
When you meet new people in Japan they like to exchange business cards. When handing a name card, it should be handed with both hands keeping the card straight in front at the height between chest and waist. And when receiving the other person's name card, it should be taken again with both hands touching the edges but not touching the letters.

Japanese End of Year Gift Giving
Oseibo
In Japan, it's a custom to give gifts periodically to people such as co-workers, bosses, relatives, teachers, friends, and so on. The giving of end of year gifts is called oseibo, and people send these gifts during December. (It's best to send the gifts by the 20th if you are in Japan.) Despite its timing, oseibo isn't related to Christmas. The cost of a gift ranges from 3000 yen to 10000 yen, and the average is about 5000 yen. Popular items for oseibo are ham, cooking oil, gift certificates, beer, canned food, coffee, seasonings, seaweed, seafood, fruits, and more.

The type and cost of gift depends on your relationship with the recipient. Usually people give the most expensive gifts to their bosses at work. Department stores display many types and sets of oseibo gifts during December and are crowded with many customers. Most people have the store deliver the gifts. Others bring their gifts in person. On each oseibo gift, the giver needs to put a thin paper called noshi, on which the word "Oseibo" is written. You can order oseibo gifts at post offices and convenience stores, too. Again, Japanese oseibo are different from Christmas gifts, which are common in the Western countries.

Japanese New Year Cards - Nengajo
Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and co-workers is a very important custom in Japan. The cards are supposed to be delivered after January 1st (never before)! Japanese post offices accept New Year's cards from mid-December, but they don't deliver them until New Year's Day. So, be sure to write 'nenga' under the stamp so that postal workers can distinguish them from regular mail. Another important part of the etiquette is not to send a New Year's card to a family in mourning. You might receive cards from people who are in mourning before December, notifying you that they don't take New Year's cards that year.

The Ministry of Postal Service and Telecommunications in Japan issues prepaid New Year's postcards with lottery numbers every year. These cards are the kind most commonly used by Japanese people. The lottery's winning numbers are picked in mid-January. The prizes aren't money, but are various household goods, such as cameras, electronics, stamps, and so on.

It's a tradition for Japanese people to write New Year's cards during December, but it can be time consuming. For those of you who don't have time to write New Year's cards, send your favorite card to your favorite person online. The Chinese characters (kanji) and Japanese characters (hiragana) used in the postcards are all different expressions for saying "Happy New Year."

 

Food in Okinawa

It was only 100 years ago that the kingdom of Okinawa was incorporated into Japan, and the southern islands still maintain their own distinctive culture, language, and cuisine. Okinawan cooking tends toward stronger and spicier flavors than Japanese food and is more heavily influenced by Chinese cooking styles.

Pork is a very important ingredient, and every part of the pig is used, from pig's feet and pig's ears to pork tripe. Other ingredients include local seafood and native tropical vegetables and fruits. Black sugar and awamori (an Okinawan brandy-like liquor made from rice) are used in cooking along with soy sauce and miso (fermented soybeans). Kooreegusu is a condiment made from red peppers marinated in awamori.

Stir-frying is a common cooking method, and Okinawan chanpuru is basically a stir-fry using some combination of tofu, leeks, and eggs plus other ingredients. Okinawan menus will usually have a number of chanpuru dishes listed. Another typical dish is rafuti, pork stewed in miso, soy sauce, sugar, and awamori, which is very similar to a Chinese dish called kakuni. Toofuyoo is a strongly flavored super-concentrated tofu concoction that's eaten in tiny bites as a snack while drinking-it's a bit like Velveeta cheese that's been compressed until it's reached an incredibly dense state. A popular foreign-influenced dish is taco rice-basically a taco that uses rice instead of a taco shell. Here are some menu items you might run across. Many menus list the Okinawan term first, followed by a Japanese explanation.

Okinawan Sample Menu
rafuti -- chunks of pork stewed in awamori, soy sauce and miso
sooki -- pork stewed with bone sookibuni-- spareribs, usually flavored with salt, lemon, and/or ginger
minudaru-- pork stewed and flavored with sesame
nakami-jiru or nakami no suimono -- pork tripe soup
ashi-tibichi -- stewed pig's feet
mimigaa -- pig's ear in vinegar
deekuni -- daikon radish and pork stew
kuubuirichi -- konbu (seaweed) and pork stew
hiijaa sashimi -- raw goat meat
hiijaa-jiru -- goat meat in soup
chanpuru -- stir-fry with eggs, leeks and/or tofu
goya chanpuru -- chanpuru stir-fry with goya (bitter gourd)
maaminaa chanpuru -- tofu and bean sprout stir-fry
soomin chanpuru -- chanpuru with soomen noodles
nakami irichi -- pork tripe and miso stir-fry
hira yaachii -- Okinawan-style okonomiyaki
jiimamii-dofu -- peanut tofu
toofuyoo -- concentrated Okinawan tofu
sunui -- pickled kombu (seaweed)
iriko -- tiny dried fish, roasted
yaeyama kamaboko -- Okinawan-style fishcakes
papaya misozuke -- papaya pickled in miso (fermented soybeans)
shima rakkyou -- pickled shallots
yakisoba (Okinawa-fuu) -- thick noodles fried with vegetables
soba (Okinawa-fuu) -- soba noodles in soup with vegetables
sooki soba-- pork spareribs (with bone) with soba noodles in soup
juushii -- rice porridge (zousui)
fuuchibaa juushii-- rice porridge with a bitter leaf vegetable (yamogi)
saataa andagi -- Okinawan doughnuts
Orion-- Okinawan beer
awamori -- an Okinawan liquor made from rice

 

Superstitions

Do you panic after breaking a mirror because it may mean seven years' bad luck? Do you avoid letting a black cat cross your path? Does the number 13 make you uncomfortable? Do you scold your children when they open an umbrella in the house? When you knock over a salt shaker do you throw a pinch of salt over your left shoulder? Perhaps you keep a rabbit's foot or a "lucky" coin in your pocket or handbag. And, I'm sure you never walk under a ladder...

Any Japanese who saw such reactions would probably laugh and call you a superstitious, unscientific, old-fashioned person. Yet the same Japanese might turn around and tell you with the sincerest conviction that numbers 42 should be avoided at any cost, that badgers are mischievous, little wrong-doers, that dead spirits are sometimes embodied in female cats, that women ghosts haunt taxi-cabs, and that every rock, tree, mountain, river, and even grain of sand has a spirit. Then you might "logically" conclude the Japanese are superstitious, unscientific, and old-fashioned. You see, it all depends on where you live, how you were educated, your religious and family background, your psychological composition, and your daily environment.

Here is what some research rendered regarding Japanese superstitions...
The numbers 4 and 9
The number four is considered bad luck because it is pronounced the same as the word for death (shi). For this reason most Japanese try to avoid that sound. Hospitals in Japan do not have the numbers, 4, 9, 14, 19, or 42 for any room. Number 9 is pronounced (ku) in Japanese, rhyming with a different word which means pain or worry. Number 42 is pronounced ju-shi-ni (shi-ni meaning to die). Number 420 sounds similar to a word meaning dead spirit, and number 24 is ju-ni-shi (ni-shi; double death). Especially in the maternity ward, some hospitals refrain from using the number 43, ju-shi-zan (shi-zan means still-birth). In some hotels the room number four is skipped. Also, one should not make presents that consist of four pieces, which is the norm in the U.S. Gift sets are usually presented in quantities of 3 or 5.

Kaso--house floor plan
Ancient Japanese thought that the plan of a house influenced its dweller's fortune. It is believed by many people still today. Fortune telling by floor plan is called Kaso. For example, a house entrance put on the northeast of the house is called kimon. Ancient Japanese believed that kimon conjures a hellish monster, Oni (see below). Even today, many people do not like to put an entrance in that direction.

Tatami mat borders
In Japan it is considered bad luck to step on the cloth border of the tatami floor mats. It's kind of like the U.S. superstition rhyme that children know about cracks in the sidewalk "Step on a crack, break your mama's back"

Omikuji--Japanese fortune-telling
Omikuji are good luck charms used in Japan. These written fortunes are obtained by drawing lots in the form of sticks from a container; the sticks are then exchanged for long, narrow pieces of paper upon which good or bad fortunes are indicated. These containers can be found at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples.

The sick and potted plants
When you are visiting someone staying in the hospital, bringing a gift such as cut flowers is usually done instead of giving cards, but potted plants should always be avoided because it is said that a potted plant symbolizes that the patient will be rooted in the hospital, prolonging his illness.

Fried eel and melon
Superstition says that eating both of these foods in the same meal will poison your spirit and lead to death.

Lie down after eating
If you lie down immediately after you eat, you will turn into a cow. (So much for a nap after Thanksgiving dinner.)

Gata strap
To break that strap of your gata, wooden sandle or zori (all are types of shoes) means that you will have bad luck....like breaking a mirror.

Whistling at night
According to Japanese superstition, whistling at night attracts snakes. The saying goes, 'Yoru ni kuchibiru o fuku to hebi ga kuru'. It means, "If you whistle at night, a snake will come (into your house)." It dates back to the Edo period (1603-1867). In those days the whistle was a sign used by burglars to communicate with or warn each other, and a whistle in the night therefore became associated with thieves entering one's house. Whistling at night became associated with inviting thieves, bad luck, or misfortune into your home. The snake, as one of the most famous symbols of evil and misfortune, came to be included in the taboo.

Clipping you fingernails at night
This superstition has two versions. One says that if you cut your nails at night, you will die young, and another says that you won't be with your parents when they die, i.e. you will die before them. There are two reasons for these superstitions. One is that during the Edo period, cutting one's nails at night was dangerous because of the lack of light. The second reason is that the Japanese word 'Yotsume' (cutting your nails at night) sounds like 'Yo o tsumeru' which means to cut short a life.

Cat with one raised paw
These felines, now usually ceramic, are called Maneki-neko, which means "beckoning cat." They are thought to bring good luck or attract customers to the shop. There is a famous story about an extremely poor temple whose cat beckoned to a traveler who was sitting under a tree outside its gates. He decided to come in and just as he moved away from the tree, it was struck by lightning. The stranger turned out to be extremely rich and he became the temple's patron, making it extremely wealthy. There are several different varieties of Maneki-neko and they all have different meanings. Cats with the right paw raised are beckoning in money or good fortune and cats with the left paw raised are beckoning in customers. Most Maneki-neko are white, but if you see a black one, it is warding off evil, and the even rarer red ones are to prevent sickness.

Black cats
There are also some imported superstitions such as the belief that black cats crossing the street in front of you cause bad luck.

Rokuyo
Japanese had used complex lunar calendar until 19th century. A month had 28 days then. A month also had 5 weeks, and a week had 6 days. The six days included Taian, Butsumetsu, Senpu, Tomobiki, Shakko, and Sensho. They are called Rokuyo. Nowadays Japanese people use sun calendar, though some superstitions came to life instead. Taian, "the day of great peace," is believed a good day, and Butsumetsu, "the day Buddha died," is believed a bad day. Most ceremonies are held on a Taian day, not on a Butsumetsu day. It is a not good idea to hold a funeral ceremony on a Tomobiki day. If it was held on a Tomobiki day, some of attendees would die soon, they say. Rokuyo came to popular in the 19th century. Until then it was a very minor superstition very few people had believed. In the 19th century, the government took the policy to import western science and technology, and tried to prohibit all "primitive" superstitions. The diet passed the law to regulate the description of calendar. It succeeded partially, and most of the good day/bad day superstitions died. But, the government forgot to regulate rokuyo superstition because it was too minor. So people came to believe it instead of the other many superstitions in those days.

Sanrinbo
Once there was another calendar system in which a week had twelve days, different from the Rokuyo calendar. According to the calendar, there were days called Sanrinbo twice a month. Sanrinbo was thought so unlucky a day that people didn't start travel or building on the day. Some people still believe this superstition.

Jichinsai
Japanese hold the ceremony of Jichinsai to calm the spirit of earth when they build a new building or other installations such as highway or airport. In this ceremony, Kannushi, a priest of Shinto, prays the success of building. Jichinsai is one of traditional Shinto rituals. It was believed that if someone built a new house without permission of earth spirit, the spirit would get angry and destroy the building.

Luck

• You will have bad luck if you talk back to someone talking in their sleep.
• You should always throw salt where a beggar has just been.
• If the first person you meet on any given day is a woman, you will have good luck. If it is a Buddhist priest, be prepared for a bad day.
• A good omen is getting a bird dropping on your head.
• If you are overtaken by a funeral procession on the street, you will have bad luck.
• A material (paper or wood) wrapped in cloth brings you good luck if you keep it near you at all times.
• Since the fish known in Japanese as "tai" (red sea bream) is part of the word "medetai" (good luck) and is also red in color, it is regarded as the good luck fish of Japan.

Lucky Days

• Weddings are usually held on "taian" days (days of great peace) or "tomobiki" days (friend pulling days).
• Funerals are also held on tomobiki days because it is like pulling a friend to death.
• "Kichi" is a day of great fortune, and "kyo" is a day of bad fortune because it is the day of the Buddha's death.
• The 4th and 14th days of a month are considered unlucky, while the 15th and 28th days are thought of as lucky days. Lucky days are good for starting projects and trips.

Myths
The Japanese believe in many creatures relating to myths. One of the most famous is "oni," or devil. They occasionally have three eyes and are almost always giant-sized. Their colors are red, blue, grey, or pink and they always have horns. Three toes and three fingers are unusual features that Onis have. They have the ability to fly, but hardly ever do. They are dumb, cruel, and malicious. Most all myths relate to a religion, whether it is Buddhism, Shinto, or a different religion.

Death
Some superstitions are considered foolish and funny, but those concerning death are taken very seriously, and there are many...

• You should never stick your chopsticks straight up and down in your rice bowl because that is how it is done at a funeral.
• You should never give food from chopstick to chopstick: this is only done with the bones of the cremated body at funerals.
• You should always lay out your futon so it is pointed south. Your pillow should never point north. This is the position of the body of a dead person at a Buddhist funeral.
• If you are the middle person in a picture with two others in it, and they have passed on, you will soon die or suffer a hard tragedy.
• If a funeral car passes, you should hide your thumb because it is believed that if you don't, your parents will die soon. This is because in Japanese, the thumb is known as the "oya yubi" or "parent finger."
• After attending a funeral, guests must have salt sprinkled on them before entering their homes. Salt is used in scared purification rites and this ceremony is done to remove the spirit of the person who dies, which may follow them home from the funeral.
• Many people in Japan cover their bedroom mirrors at night for fear that a woman from another world will come through and take them away forever.

Ghosts
The Japanese have their own ghosts. Their ghosts are different from ours because all that we really think of as ghosts are clear little white things. Their ghosts each have their own personality and ways to terrorize people. Some general terms for ghosts are "obake" or "bakemono." That literally means transforming thing. "Youkai" means bewitching apparition, which includes monsters, goblins, and ghouls. "Yuurei" is a dim, hazy, or faint spirit. These are probably the closest types of ghosts to America's vision of them that you will get. They are supposedly dead spirits living on earth for a reason. An example of youkai is "Rokurokubi," a female monster with a long, flexible neck. She looks like a regular woman during the day, but at night, she takes all of their energy away from you, causing you to die. Women ghosts come back in taxi cabs, and other ghosts come back as cats.

In many shrines, temples, and souvenir shops, amulets are sold that are supposed to bring luck, safety, or good fortune. There are amulets for money, health, love, success on exams, safety on the streets, etc. Small pieces of paper (omikuji) that predict your future are also available. These pieces of paper are tied around the branch of a tree after reading; either to make the good fortune come true or to avoid the predicted bad fortune. The most popular are called Omamori Bukuro, literally, "a charm in a brocade bag." Practically every taxi and truck in Japan carries one, or a small, girl doll, to ward off evil, female ghosts, or to protect them against accidents. Many private passenger cars carry similar charms.