Okinawa Living April 2021

CULTURE DISPENSERS: JAPAN’S VENDING MACHINES

DOCTOR’S ORDERS: April 2021 | Issue 278

EAT YOUR OKINAWAN VEGETABLES

contents April 2021

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features

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Forest Adventure Park in Onna Zip, jump and fly through an ocean-side tropical forest. What sounds like a dream is in fact reality at Forest Adventure Park in Onna.

Culture Dispensers: Japan’s Vending Machines With more than five million vending machines in Japan, there is no shortage of the novel, the useful and the downright bizarre.

restaurant review

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MCCS PHOTOS

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On the cover Catch some air and enjoy the refreshing breezes at Forest Adventure Park in Onna.

An Impressive Feast Teppanyaki Nights at Habu Pit What is as gorgeous as the view of the East China Sea from Habu Pit? The teppanyaki. Clear your calendar—you’ve got some teppanyaki nights to plan.

Doctor’s Orders: Eat Your Okinawan Vegetables For a closer look at some of Okinawa’s beloved vegetables, we talked to a resident veggie expert—Dr. Haruki Sunagawa of the Okinawa Churashima Foundation.

contents April 2021

dining + entertainment 41 Easter at the Clubs Hop on over to an MCCS Club or Restaurant for breakfast or brunch and see what the Easter bunny has cooked up.

43 Ocean Blue Latte Bonsai Coffee Company’s newest offering is a bright blue super drink—a coconut milk elixir with vanilla and spirulina, a superfood. Grab one while supplies last!

kids + parents 49 Play a Positive Role in Children’s Lives In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and to help address the need for positivity in children’s lives, MCCS Behavioral Health is hosting a Children’s Art Contest.

51 Ozobot Bot Camp Learning to code is now more fun and accessible than ever before with Ozobots! Learn the ins and outs of how to make an Ozobot turn and burn at Ozobot Bot Camp at the Camp Foster Library.

41 fitness + fun

marines + families

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Viva la TriKids Swim, bike and run your way to victory at TriKids and Women’s Only Triathlons.

Sexual Health Awareness Month The pandemic has changed the dynamics of intimacy. What has not changed, however, is the importance of respect and safety when it comes to being intimate with your partner.

31 Play (Soft) Ball!

The gloves are coming off (figuratively…definitely bring your gloves) at the Northern Camp Commanders Cup Softball Tournament on Camp Hansen.

33 Fit Camp A circuit-style fitness camp that will improve your strength, confidence and motivation?

Challenge accepted.

37 Commit to a Stronger Financial Future April is Military Saves Month, a time for service members and their families to take positive steps towards a stronger fiscal future. Learn more with the MCCS Personal Financial Management Program.

39 Virtual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony Join us this month as we recognize our volunteers’ generous efforts and shine a spotlight on the impact volunteering has on our communities.

services 53 Easter Frame Sale Enjoy the basket of savings at Foster Framing and Fine Arts, where you’ll receive 10 percent OFF on up to two frames.

55 Share Your Love of Okinawa Gifting Omoide: Memories of Okinawa or The Best of Okinawa Living is a fantastic way to share your “home away from home” with loved ones.

extras 5 Mensôre

7 Feedback & Show Us!

69 Living on Okinawa

70 Marketplace Guide

APRIL 2021 | ISSUE 278 COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC Brigadier General William J. Bowers ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS, MCIPAC Edward S. Hutsell DEPUTY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS DIRECTOR, MCCS, MCB CAMP BUTLER Michael S. Gieseck DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR MARINE & FAMILY PROGRAMS Carlos J. Saldaña DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR BUSINESS & SUPPORT Hyun Woo Chang CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Jim Kassebaum EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Daley MCCS ART DIRECTOR Henry C. Ortega OKINAWA LIVING ART DIRECTORS Margie Shimabukuro, Emeline Toole GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Giulia Pulvirenti, Mayar Mahmoud, Rebecca Lambertsen DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHER Hillary Taylor EDITORIAL Alex Jusell, Angie Andrews DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Kathlene Millette, Lillion Hunt Hamilton CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST Ayako Kawamitsu ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Roy Forster ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Terumi Nagai, Serge Sombie, Crystal Rivas MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER Andrew Menges MARKETING ACCOUNTS Courtney Davis, Leah Scrybalo DISTRIBUTION Brian Jones

We welcome your comments.

Please send letters to editor@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org For advertising | 広告掲載のお問い合わせ (日本語可) 098-970-2245 (phone) | 098-970-0975 (fax) sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org (email)

mensôre “Welcome” to Okinawa Living

The Most Magical Time of the Year April showers bring May flowers…this old English proverb may hold true in the United Kingdom, but on the beautiful island of Okinawa, April customarily heralds the opening of beach season with many beaches already open and others fully prepped for swimming and water sports—during “normal times,” at least. This year promises to be a bit more sedate, a contrast to the normal stampede of beachgoers slathered in sunscreen.

Some islanders (and veteran residents) ruefully state that springtime on Okinawa— with its mild and pleasant temperature and cool breezes—only lasts a month or less before the rain and humidity begin in May, followed by the hammer-strikes of the summer sun starting in June. While this is not far from the truth, it does make this magical time of the year even more special and appreciated.

Urizun, which means “spring” in Uchinâguchi (the native language of Okinawa), is traditionally when many locals flock outdoors to enjoy the pleasant spring weather before the first big rush of tourists hits Okinawa’s shores. This rush is thanks to Golden Week, which begins at the end of the month and, again, will most definitely be more sedate this year.

Make sure that you too take this opportunity to get out and about and enjoy Okinawa before the rainy season begins. Start with a trip to Forest Adventure Park in Onna and catch a cool breeze while zipping down one of their several zip lines. Next, plot a treasurehunting expedition to discover the local vending machines’ wealth of offerings—from farmfresh eggs and ready-made pizzas to curious toys in the many gachapon machines found throughout the island. Finally, learn more about Okinawan veggies from a local expert—Dr. Sunagawa of the Okinawa Churashima Foundation—and hit the nearest farmers’ market to load up on healthy goodies.

With so much to do this month, it’s almost enough to give one a joyful affliction of spring fever (the kind of fever you want to get)!

As always, we thank you for picking up this issue of Okinawa Living Magazine. Now, time to turn the page and let your journey begin! 

See our advertising rates at mccsokinawa.com MCCS MARKETING BRANCH MCB Camp S.D. Butler. Unit 35023, FPO AP 96378-5023

Okinawa Living is published by MCCS Marketing. Its purpose is to inform the military and civilian community about events and programs offered by MCCS or available in the local market. Dates and times may change. Copyright ©2021

by MCCS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transferred in any form, by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission of the copyright owner. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement of advertisers and sponsors. MCCS is not responsible for editing content of non-MCCS ads.

Okinawa Living Magazine is printed with

Mike Daley Editor-In-Chief

Take us on the road Enjoy Okinawa Living Magazine on your favorite mobile device!

Visit mccsokinawa.com/ol for the latest issue. Also, visit issuu.com/mccsokinawa to see back issues of the magazine.

Okuma Beach

Mother’s Day Weekend Saturday, 8 May

Sunday, 9 May

2 - 4 pm • Crafts for Kids

Special Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

Let the kids create a special handmade card just for mom!

Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, 4 April Free • Ages 15 & under Sign-up starts 8:30 am Egg coloring contests, egg hunting, and prize winning.

Sunday, 9 May • 8 am - 2 pm 14.95 • Ages 13 & over $ 7.95 • Ages 4 - 12 Free • Ages 3 & under Surfside Grill & Bar Spend the day celebrating your amazing mom with a delicious brunch at Surfside Grill & Bar! The buffet will feature pancakes, sausage, French toast, fried chicken, sausage gravy, sautéed beef biscuits, bacon, sautéed fresh vegetables and more! $

5 - 9 pm • Parent/Child Dance Spend Mother’s Day showing off your dance moves with your children. All parents and children are welcome!

Cinco de Mayo Buffet Wednesday, 5 May • 11 am - 2 pm $ 9.95 • Ages 13 & over $ 3.95 • Ages 4 - 12 Free • Ages 3 & under Surfside Grill & Bar Build your own soft or hard-shell tacos or taco rice. Enjoy our great tacos plate after plate.

Surrounded by beautiful views of the East China Sea, Okuma Beach has everything you need and more to get away and relax.

Okuma Beach • 631-1990 | Surfside Grill & Bar • 631-1805 | Reservations • 631-1991 Located 51 miles north of Kadena Air Base

Okuma.KadenaFSS.com

facebook.com/theokumabeach

KADENA AIR BASE

@okumabeach

feedback

from the ICE Program and Facebook I would like to commend the Taiyo Steakhouse staff for their excellent food and customer service. I called in a takeout order on Valentine’s Day for my wife and me. Although I was disappointed to find out that the steak that I wanted was sold out, I was very glad when I received a follow-up phone call from the staff to offer me other options. To make things even better, I received a message from [Club Manager] Mr. Alan Burn offering an alternative entrée at a reduced price. All of the food was ready when I arrived and everything was great. Thanks to the staff at Taiyo, my wife and I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner.

Thank you very much for your outstanding service and top-of-the-line food.

—via ICE

@okilivingmag Show us your island adventures and favorite food finds!

@alegs.for.daisies Peace, love, adventure!! #okilivingmag

Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on your feedback and appreciation regarding your recent visit to Taiyo Steakhouse. Your comments were shared with the team and they were very pleased to hear your kind words.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us, and it is our absolute pleasure to serve you and your spouse.

Please visit us again soon.

—Preston “Blake” Sechrist, Director, MCCS Food & Beverage

@tiny.toes.n.pawz

I was searching everywhere trying to find information regarding the MSSA [Microsoft Software and Systems Academy] Program. I got a hold of [Education Services Specialist/SkillBridge Coordinator] Ms. Martha Chianese’s contact information at the Schwab Education Center and have been in contact with her ever since. Ms. Chianese has been extremely helpful and informative regarding this program and she also provided helpful info on other related programs she thought that I might be interested in. Overall, Ms. Chianese has helped both my husband and I a great deal and has gone above and beyond to get us information to help guide us.

—via ICE

Okinawa’s Ninja Training Course. #okilivingmag

As some patrons at Gunners Fitness Center don’t show common courtesy and limit their workouts to 30 minutes, please do a better job of enforcing time limits on cardio equipment—specifically equipment that is limited such as StairMasters.

—via ICE Thank you for contacting Semper Fit and providing your input regarding use of equipment in our facilities.

We currently ask our patrons to limit their use of cardio equipment to 30 minutes during peak times—5–7 a.m., 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. We have stickers on each individual machine with this information, but they are currently fading and are becoming difficult to read. We are in the process of having them replaced and we will also be adding signage throughout the cardio room. If you have any additional comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email at fitnesscenters@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Thanks again for sharing your insights and suggestions.

—Paul Honnold, Program Manager, Semper Fit Athletics & Aquatics

@reinamorancie Beniimo pancake. #okinomnoms

Domo arigatou gozaimashita and thank you for your posts! We can’t wait to see what else you love about Okinawa!

—The Okinawa Living Staff

Give MCCS Feedback—ICE Program & Facebook Let us know how we can better serve you or thank us for a job well-done. Go to mccsokinawa.com and click on the ICE link at the bottom of the homepage or find us on Facebook to share feedback. Comments on this page may be edited for clarity or length.

APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 7

MCCS PHOTO

OUT + ABOUT

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OUT + ABOUT

MCCS PHOTOS

After the kind (yet serious) driver of the shuttle drops participants off at the entrance to Forest Adventure Park, the first thing they’ll notice is how good the air feels when surrounded by lush greenery high in the hills above the sleepy hamlet of Maeda in Onna Village. And as they trudge up the wooden stairs and pathways to the Welcome/ Orientation Station atop the hill, they’ll hear the echoes of yelling and whoops of joy mixed with terror and see the woodchips everywhere and on everything—including on the shirts and pants of wild-eyed and grinning people heading back down the hill to catch the shuttle to the parking lot at the bottom.

“Why woodchips?” they may ask themselves. The answer becomes immediately apparent as they pass the small zip line used for the initial safety orientation—they’re for slowing people down at the end of their zip-journeys.

Forest Adventure Park in Onna is equipped with a total of seven zip lines (not including the small training one, of course). With zips as long as 120 meters in length and some 30 meters above the floor of the forest valley, it is no wonder that everyone who leaves Forest Adventure Park departs wearing woodchips and a huge grin.

Forest Adventure Park in Onna first opened in 2008 and has lost none of its power to “wow” after all these years. This wow factor doesn’t diminish either, no matter how many times adventurers enjoy the facility.

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OUT + ABOUT

MCCS PHOTOS

At Forest Adventure in Onna, the park layout isn’t haphazard—it was specially designed by a company named ALTUS, which has quite a bit of experience with adventure courses. ALTUS was founded in 1997, and since opening their first park in Talloires, France, they have designed and built over 180 high wire ropes courses in 19 different countries— including 16 grand courses and nine children’s courses in Japan.

All Forest Adventure Parks throughout the world focus on the concept of “harmony with nature.” They blend virtually seamlessly into the landscape; the best way to pinpoint one of them is to listen for the echoing sounds of laughter, shouting…and in some cases whimpering.

Safety is, of course, paramount and all harnesses, safety lines and park equipment are maintained almost religiously. After the initial safety brief, participants are in control of their own safety equipment as they move throughout the course, with attendants standing ready to provide assistance when needed.

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MCCS PHOTOS

OUT + ABOUT

The main attractions of Forest Adventure Park in Onna are the zip lines, of course. The seven lines vary in length and height with the longest and highest lines affording stunning emerald green and cobalt blue views of the East China Sea. On a sunny day, the heavily forested valley below the park provides a vibrant deep green frame to the panoramic vistas.

However, the main “freak-out” moment for the majority of forestadventurers is actually not a zip slide. It’s in the Adventure Area. This area, which is after zip line number seven, is basically a mid-air obstacle course made up of several components such as the “Tibetan Bridge” (a net bridge), the “Tank Trap” (a tightrope with alternating barrier ropes to get around), the “Half Trapeze” (a series of trapezes that you have to walk over) and several more. And although these will test an adventurer’s endurance, balance, dexterity and fortitude, they pale in comparison to the “Tarzan Swing.”

Anyone who has tried the Tarzan Swing will still feel a moment of vertigo when climbing up to the platform atop the tall tower overlooking the Adventure Area. One of the few areas of Forest Adventure Park in Onna that has a permanent staff member on hand to assist, participants are instructed to hook their harnesses to a swing and just step off the platform. It’s a leap of faith, and although participants are only freefalling for less than a second, it’s enough to rip a roar of pure emotion from their throats as they swing and slide into the giant rope net waiting to arrest their forward movement. It’s an absolute rush and a must-try attraction. 

Forest Adventure Park in Onna is located in the Maeda District of Onna Village (GPS coordinates: 26.4365° N, 127.7640° E). They are open Mon–Sun, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and reservations are required prior to arrival (098-963-0088 or online at forest-adventure-onna.jp/en/113. html). MCCS Tours+ offers regular tours as well as discount tickets to Forest Adventure Park in Onna. Call 646-3502 for more details.

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irenti lia Pulvir

sign by: Giu

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REBECCA LAMBERTSEN

ending machines, known as “jido-hanbaiki,” or just simply “jihanki,” have a special place in Japan’s heart. They are not the vandalized, junk food-dispensing heaps of metal seen in the States, but rather dispensers of culture, offering local delicacies like flying fish soup and farm-fresh eggs; utilitarian items like shirts, disposable cameras and chilled face masks; and toys such as anime figurines, keychains and rubber band machine guns. With more than five million vending machines nationwide, there is no shortage of the novel, the useful and the downright bizarre.

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3 Okinawa alone boasts thousands of vending machines. While most of them are stocked with water, coffee and tea, here are some of the more welcomingly peculiar options available on island.

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Cheesecake 1. Kadena-453 Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0203

Eggs 2. Funakoshi-1197 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-1400 3. Across the river from the Genka Community Center in Genka, Nago, Okinawa 905-1141 (This second location is less automated but contains some terrific eggs.)

Sweet Potatoes 4. Nakandakari-1264-3 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-0602 (After inserting ¥500 and pressing one of the lit buttons, you’ll receive a canister. Remove the potato and leave the canister in the receptacle to the right of the machine.)

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Pizza 5. AEON Town Yomitan Shopping Center, Furugen-740 Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0314

Pringles 6. AEON Chatan Shopping Mall, 2nd Floor, Mihama 8-3 Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0115

Uchinâguchi Poems 7. At the 4-way intersection near Kakinohana-29-1 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-0601

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ALEX JUSELL

Uchinâguchi Shirts and Hats 8. Just a block north of Fuku Canoe and Kayak in Bise, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0207 9. Outside the Starbucks in American Village at Mihama 16-2 Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0115

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“What are you going to miss about Okinawa when you leave?” A common response to this end-of-tour question is “the vending machines,” and it’s easy to see why. For many, vending machines on Okinawa become part of a routine—a pre-work coffee or a carbonated post-work treat. For others, they are safety nets from bad moods; exploring Okinawa with the family on a sweltering day can be buoyed by a well-placed vending machine.

And by well-placed…well, if you have enough of something, it’s bound to be well-placed. There are so many vending machines on island that after a while they seem to blend in with the surroundings. It’s only when you are actively looking for one that the sheer amount of vending machines comes into focus, along, perhaps, with the realization that there is a vast network of people whose livelihoods depend on maintaining and stocking these machines. So it’s no wonder these machines are so beloved; they provide food, drinks and work. But if there’s one important service I’d be remiss in overlooking, it’s the potential entertainment value of vending machines—the perfect embodiment of which is gachapon.

HILLARY TAYLOR

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MISS ABOUT OKINAWA WHEN YOU LEAVE?

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toy you’ll get; Hello Kitty could be flying a plane or answering a telephone. She may even be a zombie. You won’t know until after you feed the gachapon your ¥100 coins, crank the handle (the “gachagacha” noise the handle makes and the “pon” sound of the capsule dropping are where the name “gachapon” comes from) and open your capsule. This mystery also contributes to the addictive quality of gachapon; there’s always a chance your next toy will be even better than the last (like zombie Hello Kitty answering a telephone while flying a plane). And with the staggering breadth of toys available—hats for cats, Pokémon figurines, working miniature videogames and thousands upon thousands more—as well as the depth of variations in each individual theme, one would easily go bankrupt attempting to collect them all.

HILLARY TAYLOR

Now, I’m a pragmatic person. Everything in my house has a purpose, and if it doesn’t, it’s out.

Yet for some reason, nothing kicks these practical inclinations of mine to the curb quite like gachapon—Japanese capsule machines that dispense miniature (and often ludicrous) toys.

They serve no functional purpose, but I keep returning to the handle. Is it the toys’ incredible detail? Or perhaps their silly themes ( Just how did those cats become sushi?

And why is that woman hanging around cups so much?). Whatever the reason, I’m not alone in my fascination.

A large allure of gachapon—and the major difference from run-of-the-mill vending machines—is not knowing what you’re going to receive. The machine advertises the general theme—Hello Kitty, for example—but you don’t know which specific

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HILLARY TAYLOR

Gachapon toy sales generally track in accordance to the theme’s popularity. Did a new anime just come out that’s taking the country by storm? Then its capsule-toy counterpart is likely faring just as well.

But there are also many successful capsule toys that don’t have a show, book or movie association, like “Koppu no Fuchiko,” or “Fuchiko on the Edge of the Cup.” This toy, which is simply a woman wearing an office dress assuming different poses—sitting, climbing and hundreds more—is meant to be placed on the edge of a cup. And nothing else…that’s it. Yet Fuchiko is wildly successful. More than 20 million units have been sold, which is exhibit A for capsule toys’ magic; the charm of these toys—their ability to bring a smile to one’s face—outweighs their apparent lack of function.

When it comes to gachapon, function is overrated.

Speaking of, miniature furniture and food are especially popular at the moment. One gachapon may dispense individual scaled-down kitchenware like pans, fryers, tea kettles, chopsticks and bowls, while another may dispense mini bento, soba and sushi so realistic, it’s a surprise they’re not edible.

If you’ve got a hankering for gachapon now, the good news is that Okinawa is flush with machines. Shopping malls, arcades, convenience stores, resorts, hotels, Naha Airport, grocery stores, electronic stores, aquariums, bookstores and more all sport these machines. Manga Souko even has some high-end gachapon machines (¥1000 or more per pop) that dispense capsules with numbers, which you then take to the front counter and redeem for more coveted prizes—from large plush toys to gaming consoles. Just keep your pocket full of coins, and your ears open for the “gachagacha.”

And next time you find yourself in Tokyo: gachapon is ubiquitous in Akihabara (the famous electronic and otaku district), but there’s also a Bandai Namco gachapon store that just opened in Ikebukuro flaunting a whopping 3,000 machines—a new world record and the ultimate test of restraint for gachapon fanatics.

As for the future of gachapon, only time will tell what new themes will be introduced. But rest assured, the offerings will remain apt reflections of the more eccentric reaches of Japan’s culture. 

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FITNESS + FUN

TriKids and Women’s Only Triathlon Viva la TriKids Among the first events that fell to COVID’s encroachment last year was Camp Courtney’s Annual TriKids and Women’s Only Triathlon, unfortunately interrupting its annual streak. It was a presage of the many event modifications and cancellations to come, but if there’s one thing MCCS has learned in the year since, it’s how to throw an event with mitigation in mind. That being said, MCCS Semper Fit is thrilled to announce the return of the TriKids and Women’s Only Triathlon on May 1 at 6 a.m.

This triathlon will consist of a 50 m ocean swim, a 2 km bike (any bike that meets safety standards will do) and a 1 km run.

Women ages 13 and older may participate in the Women’s Only

Triathlon, while kids ages 7 to 14 may participate in the TriKids competition. If your youngster is just shy of the age requirement, don’t worry—on May 22 and June 12, the MiniKids, TriKids and Women’s Only Triathlons will take over Camp Kinser and Camp Foster, respectively. For the MiniKids portion of these triathlons, children ages 9 and younger are invited to compete. No parental assistance will be allowed once the race begins (besides socially distanced cheering, which is highly encouraged).

Registration through mccsokinawa.com/aquatics for the May 1 event closes April 28 and is open to SOFA ID card holders only. If you have any questions, please email aquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Lead your Unit to Better Performance HITT Small Unit Leaders Course If you want to improve your unit’s physical performance and resiliency, the HITT (High Intensity Tactical Training) Small Unit Leaders Course is for you. Open to active-duty Marines and Sailors E4 and above, this course will equip you with the knowledge to improve your unit’s overall fitness and tactical readiness; at the completion of this five-day program (April 26–30, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Power Dome HITT Center on Camp Schwab), you’ll be able to lead your unit in HITT workouts with confidence.

The Small Unit Leaders Course, led by two certified strength and conditioning specialists, revolves around the seven foundational movements of the HITT program—push, pull, hinge, squat, lunge, plank and rotation—and is a great stepping stone for those who are interested in

the Force Fitness Instructor Course. Due to its time-intensive nature, this program will be a week-long temporary place of duty that your command must sign off on when completing your course application. Participants can expect a mix of intellectual and hands-on learning that will introduce you to leading and coaching the next generation of Marines and Sailors in sound, science-based physical fitness practices.

To register for the course, email mccshealthpromotions@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org before April 16. Unit-specific HITT Small Unit Leaders Courses are also available if a unit has at least five interested Marines and Sailors; to request a unit-specific course (or for more information), please call Health Promotion at 645-3910.  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 29

FITNESS + FUN

See How You Measure Up ODST Swim Meet How do you measure fun—by gallons, meters or seconds? There are thousands of gallons of water in a swimming pool, multiple options for swim race distances and, of course, every second counts when you’re up against the clock. No matter how you measure it, competitive swimming is a lot of fun—and if there’s one creature that knows how to have fun in the water, it’s a dolphin. But are you as fast as one? See how you measure up at the next swim meet hosted by the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) on Saturday, April 17, at the Camp Foster Aquatic Center.

Swim distances range from 25 to 400 meters and all races are

seeded based on entry times, as opposed to age or gender. Members of the ODST will compete in events chosen by their coaches, and non-members may select their own events.

Warm-ups begin at 7 a.m. and swimmers should be ready to race by 8:05 a.m. SOFA ID card holders may register for FREE by emailing their name, age, gender and preferred events (with estimated entry times if possible) to aquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org before April 14. For more information and to view a list of events, visit mccsokinawa.com/swimteam. 

Play (Soft) Ball!

Northern CC Cup Softball Tournament Did you know that softball was invented in 1887 by a reporter for the Chicago Board of Trade named George Hancock? At first, his intention was for it to be a form of baseball that could be enjoyed indoors during bad weather and was called names such as “mushball” and “kitten ball.” Soon, however, the game was moved outdoors, acquiring the now-famous name of softball in the 1920s—and it’s most definitely not a game for softies or kittens. If you think your unit has what it takes to claim the Northern Camp Commanders Cup for softball, now’s your chance!

The Northern Camp Commanders Cup Softball Tournament is open to eligible units from Camps Courtney, Schwab and Hansen. So, if your unit is ready to play ball, head over to the Camp Hansen Softball Field on April 10 and 11. Don’t forget to

bring your ‘A’ game because the stakes are high. The top eight teams will all move on to play in the Commanding Generals Cup on April 24, and 1st and 2nd place finishers will receive awards.

Register for this FREE event before 1 p.m. on April 5 to participate. All game schedules will be released after registration closes. All players should report to the field 30 minutes prior to assigned game times, and lineups must be submitted 15 minutes before each game starts. Each team should have at least nine but no more than 15 players and a coach.

If also playing, coaches count against the 15-player limit.

For more information, visit mccsokinawa. com/adultsports. Should you have any questions, feel free to send an email to adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

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FITNESS + FUN

Battle at the Bowl

MCCS PHOTO

Camp Courtney 6v6 Soccer Tournament April is an important soccer month for two reasons: First, it’s the start of the MLS season, and second, it’s when the annual Camp Courtney 6v6 Soccer Tournament takes place! Can your squad stand up to the competition? Join MCCS Semper Fit on Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, at the Courtney Bowl on Camp Courtney to find out.

Here are the rules: each game will consist of two 20-minute halves with a five-minute halftime. You may have between 6 and 12 players on your team plus a coach, with 6 players allowed on the field at any given moment (you are allowed unlimited substitutions). If your coach is also playing, that counts towards your 12-player limit. Moreover, there will be no offside, so plan your tactics accordingly. Tie games will proceed to penalty shoot-outs and teams that place 1st, 2nd and 3rd will receive awards and T-shirts. In regards to clothing, shin guards are mandatory, shorts with pockets won’t be allowed and metal, football or baseball cleats will not be authorized. Lastly, team rosters must be submitted 30 minutes prior to the first game. Individuals may only play on one team and any team caught with a player not on their roster will be disqualified.

SOFA ID card holders ages 16 and older may register through Eventbrite for $150 per team before April 19 (1 p.m.). For more information, head to mccsokinawa. com/adultsports or facebook.com/ mcccsokinawa.semperfit. If you have any questions, please email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 622-7297. 

Fit Camp Working Towards Self-Improvement Do you have fitness goals but are unsure how to set about achieving them? Or, are you already working on them, but feel a bit stuck?

The good news is that you are not alone, and finding like-minded folks who are also working towards self-improvement can be empowering.

Even better yet is when one of them is a personal trainer ready to lead the whole group all while focusing on each individual’s progress. This is exactly the type of support you’ll get with Fit Camp.

Fit Camp is designed to help you build strength, confidence and motivation to keep you going with your fitness goals. With an emphasis on circuit-style workouts, you’ll quickly pick up new exercises to incorporate into your long-term

routines. Fit Camps run year-round, but there’s no time like the present to get started.

So if you’re ready to accept the challenge, the next Fit Camp is April 26 through June 4 and will be held on multiple Marine Corps installations.

Register before April 10 by visiting the front desk of the Semper Fit Fitness Center where you’d like to attend. Pricing for Fit Camp is per person and based on the length of the Fit Camp, which is either 12 sessions for $130 or 18 sessions for $199. SOFA ID card holders ages 18 and older are eligible to participate. For more information, please visit mccsokinawa.com/healthpromotion or call 645-3910 from a DSN or 098-970-3910 from off base.  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 33

MARINES + FAMILIES

COVID and Intimacy Sexual Health Awareness Month Intimacy is yet another thing that the pandemic has changed—for couples and singles alike. Most prominent and obvious is the potential transmission of the virus, but relationships are also under added strain—whether it be from forced distancing or extended periods of confinement together— which can potentially prime the path to coercion and other unwanted behaviors. There’s also quite the disruption in STD tracking; STD cases are down, but experts say there’s more to this good-news mirage than there appears. One would think this decline would be attributed to fewer opportunities for unsafe sex (closed bars, restrictions on large parties and so on), but the drop in cases is more due to STD tracing and testing resources being diverted to COVID tracing. STD’s remain as present as ever, they’re just now going largely undetected.

In short, there are lots of changes to be aware of. What has not changed, however, is the need for respect and safety when it comes to being intimate with a partner. If anything, the pandemic has only underscored the importance of these two aspects in a healthy and fulfilling sex life.

To motivate the community to pursue this positive relationship with intimacy, and to remain safe during these unique times, MCCS Health Promotion is recognizing April as Sexual Health Awareness Month. All month long, stay tuned to facebook. com/mccsokinawa.semperfit for resources concerning safe sex. For questions, please call 645-3910. 

Alcohol Awareness Month Get Involved and Get Educated

Most are aware that alcohol affects people differently depending on the gender, weight and age of the person, as well as the number and type of drinks consumed and time elapsed.

Most are also aware that alcohol abuse, unfortunately, is as common as it is detrimental.

In fact, according to World Health Organization studies, harmful use of alcohol is responsible for three million annual deaths worldwide and is a causal factor in more than 200 diseases and injury-related conditions.

In addition, consumption of alcohol causes death and disability relatively early in life— with approximately 13.5 percent of the total alcohol-attributable deaths occurring in the 20–39 age group. Although an evening of binge drinking with friends may sound like fun, especially for many of the younger generation, these sobering statistics show that the price can be very high.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an excellent opportunity to take action to help raise awareness of alcohol misuse and abuse and encourage Marines, Sailors and fami-

lies to get involved and get educated. More importantly, it’s also the perfect time to shine the spotlight on avenues of help and treatment available for those who cannot control their alcohol consumption.

An addiction to alcohol doesn’t just affect one person, it can affect that person’s family, friends and unit. If you, or someone you know, is suffering from an addiction to alcohol, there are viable options available to help escape this deadly spiral. All it takes is the understanding that there’s always light at the end of the darkest tunnels…and helping hands are available to aid you in taking that first step in the right direction.

To learn more about what you can do to help someone in need, or if you are in need of help yourself, call the Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Counseling Center at 645-3009 (098-970-3009).

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, MCCS will be hosting events throughout the month. To learn more about these events, call 645-3009 for updates. 

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MARINES + FAMILIES

Keys to Success USMAP and MCCOOL Virtual Briefs In every occupation, professional development is key to success. For activeduty service members, there are programs in place to help you move forward both within your current role and when it comes time to transition out of military life.

Taking advantage of opportunities for career growth is always a smart move, so to help you understand these programs better, MCCS Education Centers are offering virtual briefs from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 6 and April 27. Learn all about the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) and Marine Corps Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (MCCOOL).

To up your on-the-job training of skills related to your current job or to complete civilian-equivalent apprenticeship requirements, you will want to know more about USMAP. Utilizing this program can help you obtain completion certificates that are nationally recognized by the Department of Labor.

And best of all, this is a way to further advance your education and career with little to no debt. All active-duty service members from all branches with designated Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) may participate.

For Marines specifically, MCCOOL is all about obtaining credentials. These credentials show that you have met professional and technical standards. Many employers require official credentials and can even opt to pay employees with valid credentials more money than employees without them. Obtaining these qualifications before you leave active-duty service can help make your transition to a civilian career much smoother.

There are generally some costs associated with credentialing, but there are resources available to help manage these costs for Marines.

For more information, visit mcccsokinawa.com/education. To register for the virtual briefs happening this month, please email education@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org with your name, rank, assigned camp and current email address.

Official websites for both USMAP and MCCCOL are available at usmap.netc.navy.mil and cool.navy.mil/ usmc, respectively. 

Military Saves Month Commit to a Stronger Financial Future April is Military Saves Month, a time for service members and their families to take positive steps towards a sunnier fiscal future.

The Military Saves program is a national campaign focused on saving money, reducing debt and building financial security.

On island, the MCCS Personal Financial Management Program is participating in Military Saves Month with themed workshops.

Each week, you can learn about topics such as saving automatically, saving for the unexpected, saving to retire, reducing debt and saving as a family.

When you choose to set up a recurring deposit to a savings account, you increase your chances for success. Having an emergency fund at the ready takes some of the stress away from unwanted surprises, too. That car repair or plane ticket home for an emergency won’t feel like such a burden on your finances. And of course, none of us are getting any younger, so thinking ahead for retirement needs is crucial. If you’re struggling with debt and feel it is keeping you from saving, Personal Financial Management Program staff can help with that, as well. That all sounds like a lot, but when

you are able to have open communication and work together as a family unit, you’ll find many ways to successfully achieve your goals.

Another resource tool to get you started is the Military Saves Pledge. You can commit to any of the 10 specific savings goals like debt repayment, large purchases, vacation or special events, retirement, education and more. After pledging a set dollar amount for a designated time period, you’ll receive short emails with tips and reminders to help keep you on track.

Sign your pledge in person at our Personal Financial Management offices or online at militarysaves.org. You can even make your commitment via text and receive resources and reminders by text message.

But best of all, these workshops and resources are FREE and include light refreshments that will be available at all of our locations each Friday during the month of April. To view workshop schedules and registration details, visit mccsokinawa.com/ personal_finance_management. If you have any questions, please email mcbb_ppdr_request@ usmc.mil. 

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MARINES + FAMILIES

Honoring Selflessness Virtual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony We know that the incredible people who volunteer their valuable time to better the community don’t do it for the recognition. Nevertheless, that recognition is important; their selfless work not only makes the world a better place, it also inspires others to follow in their footsteps. So, in appreciation of our volunteers’ generous efforts, and to shine a spotlight on the importance of volunteering, the MCCS Volunteer Program will host a Virtual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on April 16.

As the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony will be in a virtual format this year, individuals who’d like to attend may receive a direct link to the ceremony by contacting the MCCS Volunteer Program Coordinator at volunteernow@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org and requesting to be added to the distribution list. If you forget to request a direct link, the link to the event will also be made available via the MCCS website, newsletter and social media accounts, as well as through Oki News Today.

Now, if you are reading this and wondering how you can get involved in volunteering in the first place, there are plenty of routes to take. We highly recommend heading to one of the Passport to Volunteering classes in which you’ll learn how to volunteer in the community while building your résumé, but you can also visit mccsokinawa.com/volunteer and check out the vast array of resources—including general announcements, contact information, workshop details and even a list of upcoming volunteer events and ongoing on-base volunteer opportunities—to learn how you can help. And when you’re ready, just email the aforementioned address or call 645-3749 (off base: 098-970-3749) to become a volunteer. Simple as that. 

Virtual Color Me Fun Run A Step in the Right Direction Join the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) in celebrating the Month of the Military Child and Autism Awareness Month as they honor the resiliency of military children and encourage the acceptance and inclusion of people with autism. Awareness events promote greater understanding and foster supportive communities, so whether your family chooses to use such events as time for reflecting or as a springboard for discussion, you’re taking a step in the right direction.

So lace up those sneakers and get moving at the Virtual Color Me Fun Run. This 5k checks all of the boxes for a good time. It’s FREE, fun for the whole family, brings awareness to worthy causes and will help keep you fit. Plus, when you finish, you’ll be more

colorful than a basket of Easter eggs because each participant packet includes colored powder to make this race extra festive.

Registration for this virtual race is open until April 30 for SOFA ID card holders island-wide at mccsokinawa.com/efmp. Once you’re registered, you can run the set course on Camp Foster at any time within the month of April. When you’re ready to race, use a cellphone or smartwatch to record your run and then send your stats (including the date, distance and duration) to efmp@okinawa.usmcmccs.org. Be sure to email your data before April 30 since winners will be announced soon after on EFMP’s Facebook page.

For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/efmp or facebook.com/ mccsokinawa.marineandfamily.  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 39

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Hop By for Brunch Easter at the Clubs Like any holiday, Easter is full of traditions and customs. Some buy Easter lilies, seasonal candy and baskets while lucky children get to meet the Easter Bunny at shopping centers and special events. But the most popular Easter traditions all involve eggs—using colored dyes to decorate them, searching around the yard for hidden egg-treasures or rolling the yolk-filled ovals down hills or over the White House lawn. Some even play a game called “egg knocking,” where the goal is to tap a hard-boiled egg against someone else’s egg to see which will crack first. Although this may sound engaging, many, many more enjoy the popular tradition of eggs sunny side-up at a delicious Easter feast.

On Sunday, April 4, after all the beautifully colored eggs have been found, chocolate bunnies have been nibbled and the last strands of plastic grass have been picked up, it’s time to see what else the Easter Bunny has cooked up, so gather your family and hop

on over to an MCCS Club or Restaurant for breakfast or brunch.

Celebrate the refreshing springtime weather with balcony seating (weather permitting) at Taiyo Steakhouse, located at Taiyo Golf Club, and choose your favorite delights from their à la carte brunch menu from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 622-2020.

If your hopes are set on seeing the Easter Bunny, you’ll want to head out to one of the Brunch with Bunny events. At the Butler Officers’ Club located on Plaza Housing, brunch seatings are available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Prices are $19 for adults, $9.50 for children ages 5 to 11 and children under 5 may dine for FREE. To make your reservation, please call 645-7530.

Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney is hosting their Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult pricing is $19.95, and children’s prices are $9.95 for ages 5 to 11 and FREE

for little ones under 5. Reservations are required, so be sure to save your table by calling 622-9413.

Surfside on Camp Kinser is also serving brunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pricing is $17 for adults, $8.50 for children ages 5 to 11 and youngsters under 5 may enjoy their meal for FREE. Reservations should be booked by calling 637-3137.

May your Easter plate be as full as the most festive of baskets this year and your snapshots with the Easter Bunny become family favorites. As a reminder, seating is limited at all Easter Brunches, COVID mitigation efforts are still in place and events are subject to change. Please wear your face coverings aside from when you are enjoying your meal, and support our social-distancing protocols. For more information, call a participating club or visit mccsokinawa. com/clubs. 

APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 41

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

The Po’ Boy to End All Po’ Boys

MCCS PHOTO

Red Barn Limited Time Offer When you stop by to try the new Shrimp Po’ Boy at Red Barn Country Kitchen inside Kinser Surfside, we highly recommend leaving your socks at home (or investing in some Gorilla Glue for your ankles) because your socks will otherwise be blown off. And as the best po’ boy in the Pacific will only be available while supplies last starting April 5, don’t take your time, because these will not last long. Trust us.

What, you ask, makes this sandwich so good? It checks all the boxes and hits all the quintessential marks of a great po’ boy with a sharpshooter’s skill.

First, the shrimp are big, breaded and bountiful. These are no meager shrimp.

These shrimp work out. They went to big shrimp school and majored in deliciousness. And they are packed into this po’ boy like it’s rush hour. This is not a sandwich with a couple shrimp islands in a sea of bread—no, these shrimp are continental, coast-to-coast and breadend to bread-end.

While on the subject of bread… many a great sandwich is ruined by a bad choice in bread. But not here.

The bread on display is a flaky, lightly crunchy sidekick that doesn’t hog the show but sets the stage for the main fillings along with a classic supporting cast of onions, tomatoes and lettuce.

And last but certainly not least, we have a pièce de résistance that turns an infield single into an out-of-the-park home run: the sauce—a creamy remoulade created by the Executive Chef of Surfside himself, Alfred Cabacungan.

Stop by soon and take advantage of this limited time offer before it is retired and inducted into the sandwich hall of fame, or else you’ll have nightmares for years to come about incredible sandwiches slipping from your grasp, forever out of reach. Oh, the po’ boy pain!

Red Barn is open Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. For the full menu, head to mccsokinawa.com/redbarn, and if you have any questions, call 6373137 from a DSN. 

Ocean Blue Latte It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…Superdrink!

This Earth Day, as you mind the health of the planet, don’t forget to mind your own health, too! Starting April 22, and while supplies last, Bonsai Coffee Company will be the home of the Ocean Blue Latte—an immune system-strengthening, metabolism-boosting, digestion-improving, energy level-raising drink that will rival the brightest blues Okinawa’s waters have to offer. What exactly makes this latte so healthy? The same reason this latte is so blue: algae.

It’s not some random everyday algae—the organism used in the Ocean Blue Latte is a superfood that has been around for centuries called spirulina. What makes spirulina so special is that it touts a whopping 60% protein content and is a great source of beta-carotene, essential fatty acids, iron, magnesium and several vitamins.

In addition to the spirulina, the latte contains coconut milk and vanilla syrup. And if you opt for the vanilla syrup to be sugar free, you will achieve the diet trifecta: vegan, keto friendly and dairy free. Moreover, if you are

looking to liven things up a bit, we recommend adding a shot of espresso—a delicious complement to this ultramarine latte.

And keep in mind, Bonsai Coffee Company has more health-conscious drink and food options available, too. Swapping full-fat milk for low-fat, almond or soymilk on any drink will save you lots of calories, as will choosing sugar-free syrups instead of their counterparts.

The Fit4Life menu available at select Bonsai Coffee (and LifeJuice!) locations will also help cut those calories. This menu includes grilled salmon, grilled chicken and glazed shrimp— all served with veggies to keep you light and energetic throughout your day. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, grilled mixed veggies are also available: eggplant, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and steamed broccoli all served on a brown rice and quinoa mix.

Bonsai Coffee Company is located in the Camp Foster Community Center (Bldg. 5908) and in The Palms on Camp Hansen (Bldg.

2654). For more information on Bonsai Coffee, head to mccsokinawa.com/bonsai.  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 43

RESTAURANT REVIEW

An Impressive Feast Teppanyaki Nights at Habu Pit

Text by: Angie Andrews | Photography by: Hillary Taylor

Upon arriving at Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma for a teppanyaki dinner, the first thing I noticed was the picturesque scenery that the floor-to-ceiling windows provide: beyond the club patio and lawn, the East China Sea stretches and the American Village Ferris Wheel almost blends into the skyline backdrop. As gorgeous as that view was, it wouldn’t be my focus for the evening. Instead, I’d turn my attention to the immersive culinary experience at hand.

Teppanyaki can be best understood by its translation. Teppan means “iron plate” and yaki means “grilled.” Combined, teppanyaki refers to a meal which is grilled on an iron plate—usually right in front of diners. When viewed from the top, a teppanyaki grill looks like a large metal griddle, but there is actually a gas grill hiding underneath. At teppanyaki-style restaurants, the tables are built around the grills and a chef will take your order and prepare it for you right there, table-side. Part of the fun is interacting with your chef over several courses of your meal.

When chatting with our chef, Kensaku Miyagi, I asked if he felt this style of cooking was difficult to master. Even while wearing his face covering, his smiling eyes acknowledged the compliment in my question. How could he cook a variety of foods on the same surface so flawlessly? And with his diners as an audience the whole time, too! He humbly replied that, no, he didn’t feel it was too hard, and credited his years of experience. Between attending a chef school, working in Tokyo and enjoying his role at Habu Pit for three years now, he’s racked up some seriously impressive skills—which led to an impressive feast for me.

Setting the tone for a bright and enjoyable meal, the slightly creamy, tangy lemongrass soup was a great starter while the first part of my teppanyaki dish came together. Once the melted butter started

to sizzle, Chef Miyagi tossed the onions, green peppers and thymeseasoned potato wedges together, letting the steam hiss before hitting them with brandy and white wine and setting them aflame. I kept going back for bite after bite, wowed by how soft the potatoes were.

The metallic clinking of spatulas tapping on the grilltop signaled my next course was nearly ready. I watched, eagerly eyeing perfectly pink jumbo shrimp. And I mean jumbo. Each one could fill the palm of my hand. Seasoned with double butter—once on the grill surface and once as a nice dab melted over the top of them—and finished with a few good squeezes of fresh lemon, these shrimp and the word succulent are now permanently entwined in my mind.

Even though I would have been more than happy to call my meal complete at this point, the redolent hints of seared steak wafting my way urged me to continue on to the finish line. I admired the knife skills on display as Chef Miyagi diced the sirloin right there on the grill and presented it with seasonal vegetables, adding a pop of color to my plate. Each component of my Land and Sea selection inspired me to plan on enjoying many more teppanyaki nights in my near future.

With a menu that includes seafood, poultry, beef and combination entrées plus a children’s menu, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. But, I won’t let that stop me from telling you the one item you absolutely must order when you visit. Get the Specialty Grilled Bananas. You’d be bananas not to—they are sprinkled with brown sugar, flambéed in rum and served with ice cream.

Teppanyaki dinners at Habu Pit are available every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and reservations are required. To make your reservation, please call 636-3081 from a DSN or, if calling from off base, dial 098-970-5555 and then 636-3081. For more information and to view the full menu, visit mccsokinawa.com/habupit.  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 45

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KIDS SECTION + PARENTS NAME

Play a Positive Role in Children’s Lives Child Abuse Prevention Month April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and empower people to play positive roles in children’s lives. This cause has always been important, of course, but now, perhaps more than ever, children need adults to be engaged in this effort. It’s an awful fact, but the increased financial worry, isolation from resources, school closures and all-around stress caused by the pandemic have increased the number of child abuse victims in the United States and across the world.

Child abuse is not limited to physical abuse, either, as abuse itself is an umbrella term that includes sexual maltreatment, psychological abuse and neglect. Neglect is a parent’s deprivation of a child’s basic needs.

So think of abuse not only as the aggressive behavior one usually associates with the term “abuse,” but also as a failure to meet a child’s needs which include clothing, healthcare, housing and more. With unemployment currently high, many more families have

much less money, and once scarce enough, neglect is more likely to occur. It’s a terrible correlation, but one that we are not powerless to fight.

In recognition of this issue and to help address the need for positivity in children’s lives, MCCS Behavioral Health is recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout April. To help increase awareness of Child Abuse Prevention, Behavioral Health is hosting the annual Children’s Art Contest, open to kids of SOFA ID card holders from April 1 to 25.

This year’s art contest theme is “All In to End Child Abuse,” and submissions may be drawings, paintings, front door decorations or washable sidewalk chalk drawings. To enter, simply submit a picture of your child with their artwork to FAPprevention@okinawa.usmcmccs.org. In your email, please also include your child’s name, grade and school. The key is to be fun and creative, and to showcase how your family is “All In to End Child Abuse.”

Additionally, there is a wealth of information and resources available—especially on childwelfare.gov—that exists solely to help protect children and strengthen families.

The military community is also here for support. If you or someone you know is a victim, you can report child abuse by calling the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at 6452915 from a DSN or 098-970-2915 from off base. And keep in mind, families may access and use FAP services whether or not a case meets DoD criteria for abuse. Lastly, you can also call 24/7 Victim Advocates at 645-SAFE (7233) from a DSN or 098-970-7233 from off base. Victim Advocates are a great resource for when individuals have general questions about child abuse, too.

For more information regarding Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Children’s Art Contest, please call 645-2915 or head to mccsokinawa.com/behavioral_health. 

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SECTION NAME KIDS + PARENTS

Learning Through Invention Makey Makey Boot Camp Learning through invention helps us to understand the world around us.

Take a look around you—everything can be used for inventing. And that means everything! Which is part of why a couple of MIT students came up with a device allowing you to connect all kinds of everyday objects to computers.

Makey Makey kits are customizable circuit boards. After easily connecting one to a computer via a USB cable, you can then use various alligator clips and pretty much any conductive item you can think of (like Play-Doh, aluminum foil, pencil lead or even your hand) to start exploring. Along with the exploration of how circuits work, this invention kit introduces basic coding skills.

Camp Foster Library is hosting a Makey Makey Boot Camp to showcase just how fun STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning can be. Join us for interactive learning activities on April 6 and 20 and May 4 and 18. Each session begins at 4 p.m. and will last approximately one hour. Innovation topics include understanding simple circuits and conductivity, making a “banana piano,” introducing

simple programming and coding and designing your own Microsoft MakeCode arcade game.

To register for any of the Makey Makey Boot Camp activities, please visit the Foster Library or call 098-970-7178. Registration is now open and there is no deadline associated with any of the sessions. Please note that spacing is limited to ten participants per session and patrons may sign up for more than one topic if desired. Children under the age of 8 must have a parent attend with them (and both parent and child will count towards the ten-participant maximum). Waitlists will be maintained in the event that maximum capacity is reached.

Although not available for checkout, all MCCS Library locations on island have Makey Makey kits available for use within the library buildings. Please ask a staff member for assistance if you’d like to utilize this product beyond Boot Camp sessions. For more information on Makey Makey or to continue STEM learning with Ozobots (see more below), head to mccsokinawa.com/libraries. 

Curious About Coding?

Ozobot Bot Camp Many 21st century kids can operate all kinds of tech devices—TVs, computers, smartphones and video game systems—and in general find using technology easy and fun. But enjoying technology is quite different than understanding how it works (e.g., designing a smartphone app rather than just playing with one). Fortunately, learning to code is more accessible than ever. If your kids are curious about coding, get the fun started with a programmable robot.

Each Ozobot Evo is only about one inch tall, but regardless of size, packs a ton of technology. These robots are complete with LED lights, motors, circuit boards and optical sensors. Perfect for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning, Ozobots push the limits of creativity and critical thinking, and have options for both screenfree and computer-controlled programming.

Don’t miss Ozobot Bot Camp at the Foster Library on April 13 and 27 and May 11 and 25. Each session begins at 4 p.m. and will last approximately one hour. Each session will focus on different skills needed to use Ozobots for learning basic coding and programming. Code on paper

by drawing lines and utilizing color codes. Then progress to using a visual programming language (OzoBlockly) to program your bot with a computer. Control your robot’s direction, speed and sounds as you work through hands-on projects.

To register for any of the Bot Camp sessions, please visit the Foster Library or call 098-970-7178. Registration is open until maximum capacity numbers are met. Please note that spacing is limited to ten participants per session and patrons may sign up for more than one topic if desired.

Children under the age of 8 must have a parent attend with them (and both parent and child will count towards the ten-participant maximum). Waitlists will be maintained in the event that maximum capacity is reached.

Ozobots are even available for checkout from MCCS Libraries on Camps Kinser, Foster and Courtney, so learning can continue at home as well. For more information on Ozobots or to continue STEM learning with Makey Makey, head to mccsokinawa.com/libraries. 

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SERVICES

Kanopy Streaming Platform Educational and Entertaining Videos Between the many streaming platforms out there, it’s easy to spend a pretty penny on movies and TV shows. Why not opt for a FREE service instead?

MCCS Libraries invite you to try Kanopy, which has thousands of videos available. Choose from documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, indie films and more.

The number of subjects available is substantial, so there’s really no telling what you might find. There are even two documentaries about the Battle of Okinawa.

Kanopy Kids is dedicated to educational and entertaining children’s content. Popular shows like Sesame Street, Arthur and Max & Ruby along with animated readings of favorite stories such as The Snowy Day, Curious George, Corduroy and more will delight youngsters. Within the “History, Science and Languages” section alone, 216 videos are out to prove screen time and learning can—in moderation—go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Other noteworthy perks include parental control settings and the option to stream different content on different devices simultaneously. For regular content, you can watch 20 videos per month, and once you start a video you’ll have three days to complete it.

Kanopy Kids content is unlimited and does not count against your 20 monthly titles.

Registration is available to those with valid library cards. Get started by contacting your library branch to obtain initial login information.

Once your account set-up is complete, you can use Kanopy on all of your favorite devices. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/ libraries. If you have any questions, please contact your library branch directly or email libraryprogram@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

EASTER

Easter Frame Sale A Basket of Savings Do you have an awkwardly sized piece of art that you have no idea how to frame? Or perhaps you have a regular painting, but don’t know what frame would best showcase the work. Either way, not to worry—Foster Framing and Fine Arts has the tools, supplies and expertise to do your art justice. And good news: the Easter Sale is right around the corner (April 6–10), wherein you’ll receive 10 percent OFF on up to two frames.

Foster Framing and Fine Arts has plenty to offer. Here, you have the option of buying premade frames or creating custom frames to your exact specifications. Choose from different colors, materials, sizes, thicknesses and patterns to best display your work. And as always, our knowledgeable staff is available to help you choose the right frame and avoid any framing faux pas. Additionally, we offer framing classes where you’ll learn how to mount your artwork while catering to both aesthetics and protection. Apart from frames and framing classes, other fine arts classes are available as well, like oil painting, pastel drawing, beaded jewelry and realism drawing classes.

Foster Framing and Fine Arts is located on the second floor of the Foster Community Center (Bldg. 5908). If you have any questions or want to register for an art class, feel free to call 645-3674 from a DSN or 098-970-3674 from off base. To see a schedule of available art classes, head to mccsokinawa.com/framingandfinearts.  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 53

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Share your Love of Okinawa… …with your Loved Ones back Home Everyone who has visited Okinawa has a favorite spot, whether it’s a perfect place to watch the sunset, a beach that the family visited every summer, the steps to Nago Castle lined with sakura (cherry blossom) trees blooming brilliantly pink or even a stretch of beautiful coastline that is so breathtaking you have to stop the car every time you pass by to take a photo.

With Omoide: Memories of Okinawa and The Best of Okinawa Living, both produced by the staff of Okinawa Living Magazine, you can share the beauty of your home-away-from-home with friends and family in the states.

Omoide: Memories of Okinawa captures Okinawa’s beauty in a pictorial format. Broken down into geographic sections, this full-color coffee table book contains images from Hedo Point on the northern tip of the island to Chinen Cape—the southern-most point of Okinawa.

The Best of Okinawa Living, a more comprehensive compilation of everything Okinawa, uses words and images to cover the island’s history, picturesque locales, interesting cuisine, cultural curiosities, art and artists, national and local festivals and holidays and much more.

The Best of Okinawa Living and Omoide: Memories of Okinawa are available island-wide at most Exchange retail facilities that sell books. 

Keeping Learning Spaces Safe COVID Mitigation Practices at the Libraries COVID has clearly changed the way we interact with the world. Shaking hands now seems alien, and whenever we encounter an area with hundreds of high-contact surfaces these days—say, a library, for example—it’s not uncommon to hear the Jaws theme start playing in your mind. But once you discover all the behind-the-scenes sanitization at work in the MCCS Libraries, you’ll feel much more at ease (and you’ll stop hearing that Jaws theme).

The American Library Association and the Institute of Museum and Library Services released strict guidelines recently based on studies of how long SARS-CoV-2 stays on various types of library surfaces. MCCS Libraries on Okinawa follow these guidelines and have even adopted the use of UV

technology to keep the virus from sticking around. You may have spotted some of these new devices, such as the UV wands, which assist in sanitizing commonly used surfaces like keyboards; the UV tech tubs, which sanitize electronics like headphones, VR headsets, calculators and more; and the book sanitization cabinets.

As we continue to learn more about this virus—including practices to best mitigate its threat—rest assured that the MCCS Libraries will stay up to date, flexible and transparent in their adaptations, as safety is the libraries’ number one priority.

For more information on the libraries, including the catalog and upcoming events for kids and adults alike, check out mccsokinawa. com/libraries. 

Warehouse Sale!

Computers, Furniture and More Did you know that MCCS conducts weekly sales of excess Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) property every Wednesday? Items such as computers, monitors, furniture, sporting equipment, recreational equipment and more are usually available. These sales take place on Camp Foster in Warehouse 5601 (behind the commissary) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale is open to SOFA ID card holders only from 8 to 11 a.m. and both card holders and non-SOFA ID card holders from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about these sales, contact MCCS Supply via email at warehousesales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or via phone at 645-3954 (098-970-3954 from off base or from a mobile phone).  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 55

Doctorsa ‘

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EAT YOUR OKINAW

Orders: a

WAN VEGETABLESI I

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Text by: Angie Andrews Design by: Mayar Mahmoud

APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 57

Meet the Doctor

Specializing in olericulture, a subfield of horticulture, Dr. Sunagawa’s research is focused on edible vegetables and herbs.

O

n Okinawa, vegetables reign supreme—some familiar, many unfamiliar—brightening up the aisles of grocery stores and farmers’ markets from Hedo to Itoman.

And what better way to settle in and get rooted in your new home-away-from-home than to try new-to-you foods? For a closer look at some of Okinawa’s vegetables, we opted for some expert advice.

The Okinawa Churashima Foundation (OCF) manages the industrial development and improvement of parks and properties that combine tourism with Okinawa’s natural environment and history—places like Ocean Expo Park, the Churaumi Aquarium and Shurijo Castle Park. To better meet their long-term goals in preserving the island’s natural setting, the Okinawa Churashima Research Center was established in 2008. Focusing not only on research but on building community connections through public awareness programs, the center aims to ensure a bright and environmentally friendly future for Okinawa. Although the research center itself is not open to the public, we were able to expand our knowledge of the island’s veggies by meeting with Dr. Haruki Sunagawa, a researcher at the center’s botanical laboratory.

Born and raised in Naha, Dr. Sunagawa is no stranger to the unique produce found on island. His interest in studying plants grew during college when he discovered food-related global issues, and after the faculty members at the University of the Ryukyus helped guide him towards agricultural crop research, which he says is a great fit for him. Specializing

in olericulture, a subfield of horticulture, Dr. Sunagawa’s research is focused on edible vegetables and herbs. Many trends lean towards the molecular biology of plants, but the importance of documenting the islands’ diverse vegetables and cultivating them properly should not be overlooked.

Although Dr. Sunagawa works at OCF (where there are several greenhouses), he also gets to travel to remote islands within the prefecture to locate indigenous vegetables. Sometimes he is even invited to visit ataiguwa (small garden patches kept at private homes), which are often the source of rare (and therefore the most valuable, from a cultural standpoint) vegetables. Additionally intriguing, he explores places with thriving wild vegetables—areas where it is customary and acceptable for people to forage such things as njana (bitter greens) and chomeiso (which directly translates to “longevity grass”) from the natural environment. Plus, at least once a week, he dedicates time to studying chidekuni (island carrots) in Nakagusuku Village. The cultivation of these carrots is a lengthy and labor-intensive process because seeds for these carrots cannot be purchased; they are gathered by hand from individual gardens (a process known as “home collection”).

General studies suggest that consuming plant-rich diets is beneficial to our health and longevity, helping to prevent serious threats like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. When asked why studying vegetables was important to him, Dr. Sunagawa cited the nutritional value of plants and gave us some insight into the scientific reasons why vegetables are so healthy. Specifically on Okinawa, the stronger UV rays and climate allow for a more diverse population of naturally occurring vegetables that have higher polyphenol and antioxidant levels than plants from other locations. He even gave us a tour of one of the greenhouses to share more information on some plants he’s currently studying. Let’s take a look.

Meet the Veggies Njana a.k.a. Hosobawadan, (Crepidiastrum lanceolatum) Crepidiastrum lanceolatum is known locally as njana. Njana grows naturally in rocky areas along the coast and is distributed from the Sea of Japan-side of Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures in Japan to the Nansei Islands. Outside Japan, it is distributed from the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and the coast of China.

Growing along the coastline in sandy areas, these njana are bitter as their name forewarns, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying these greens because they’re packed with vitamins and calcium.

When touring the greenhouse, Dr. Sunagawa mentioned that there are actually 20 different varieties of bitter greens, each with its own nutritional strongpoints. To help mask the bitter taste, you might choose to enjoy yours with tofu or peanut sauce.

Sakuna

a.k.a. Chomeiso, Botanbofu, (Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. var. japonicum) Chomeiso grows naturally on the Korean Peninsula, Kyushu and the Nansei Islands in Japan, and has been eaten on Okinawa for many decades. Yonaguni Island is the western-most point in Okinawa Prefecture and the prime location for naturally occurring chomeiso in Japan. The bitter taste is not something to shy away from, as this herb is well-known for its health benefits. Shiseido, a multi-national corporation founded in 1872 (the fifth-largest cosmetics company in the world), uses it for health and beauty products in the form of drinks, tablets and powder, sourcing their chomeiso from Yonaguni. Dishes made with chomeiso are sometimes served during naming ceremonies for newborn babies or during certain instances of prayer.

I

I

Fuchiba

a.k.a. Mugwort, Nishi Yomogi, (Artemisia indica Willd.)

Mugwort in Okinawa, known locally as fūchibā, is bright, almost lime-green and very fragrant. This herb contains the highest levels of antioxidants out of all those Dr. Sunagawa discussed with us. On Okinawa, there are 30 different types, and part of his research is tied to the distinct scent of each variety. Because it can be compared to mint, the possibility of developing mugwort-flavored gum is floating around, and there is even a bar in Naha that will serve you a mojito made with fūchibā as opposed to mint. It’s also popular when combined with mochi (rice cakes) and is used in teas.

APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 59

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To Okinawa City

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Handama

a.k.a. Okinawan Spinach, Suizenjina, Kinjiso, (Gynura bicolor) Stepping away from the bitter veggies, handama will be a welcome addition to your plate. Besides bringing a pop of color to your meals with its two-toned leaves and dark purple stems and veins, this veggie is slightly crisper than green spinach. Handama can also be found from Kyushu to Ishikawa in Mainland Japan, but if you’re looking for it there, be sure to use standard Japanese (as opposed to its Okinawan name) and ask for suizenjina in Kyushu and kinjiso in Ishikawa.

Chidekuni

a.k.a. Yellow Oriental Carrot, Shima Ninjin, (Daucas carota subsp. sativus) On Okinawa, oriental carrots with pale yellow roots are known in Uchinâguchi as chidekuni, and the Japanese name shima ninjin. Chidekuni are now grown only in Okinawa Prefecture. They are very low in sugar and have a higher percentage of lutein than orange carrots. Recently, they have been gaining attention as a functional vegetable. These pale yellow carrots are much longer and skinnier than common orange carrots. Dr. Sunagawa shared that due to crossbreeding, there are some orange island carrots now as well, so he has been working to cultivate the yellow island carrots in their original form.

Dacho

a.k.a. Shallots, Rakkyo, (Allium Chinese G. Don) Maybe most familiar on this list, and recognized easily by sight, smell and taste; there are actually 80 different Okinawan varieties of the small but mighty rakkyo, according to Dr. Sunagawa. Discovering the differences in each type involves studying the nuances in each plant’s coloring and bulbs. Often served as tempura or pickled and topped with bonito flakes, these make perfect snacks, especially with an ice-cold beer.

You don’t have to be a shima-yasai hakase (island vegetable doctor) like Dr. Sunagawa to trust in the science of eating well. But with the help of his research and the efforts of the Okinawa Churashima Research Center teams, Okinawa will continue to produce some of the healthiest plants around the world. Take advantage by heading to any of the many farmers’ markets on island, trying your hand in the kitchen and then digging in!  APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 61

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_ _ Yomogi Jushii Fuchiba ( Serves Five Ingredients - 1 1/2 cup white rice - 2 1/4 cups water - 5 oz. thinly sliced buta bara niku (pork belly), cut into bite-sized pieces - 1 medium-sized shima ninjin (island carrot), peeled and cut into 1cm cubes (about 1/4 cup) - 1 1/2 shiitake mushroom, stems removed and cut into 1-inch strips - 1 tbsp. soy sauce - 1/2 tbsp. sake (rice wine) - 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil - 1/2 tsp. salt - 1/2 tsp. dashi no moto ( Japanese bouillon) - Small handful of fūchibā (mugwort) leaves

Rice Cooker Method of Preparation 1. Combine rice, water, soy sauce, sake, vegetable oil, salt and dashi no moto in the rice cooker and mix well.

2. Add pork belly, carrots and shiitake on top and gently mix.

3. Set your rice cooker.

4. When done, mix well and divide into bowls and top with fūchibā.

5. Enjoy!

Stovetop Method of Preparation 1. Combine all ingredients except for the fūchibā in a saucepan with a tight fitting lid.

2. Cover and simmer on low for 20–30 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed. *Do not bring the water to a boil.

3. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and keep covered for 15 more minutes.

4. Divide into bowls and top with fūchibā.

5. Enjoy!

APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 63

Ayako-san’s Rakkyo with Pork Serves Four (Four per Person) Ingredients - 16 rakkyo (shallots) - 8 oz. buta bara niku (pork belly), thinly sliced into strips - Aji shio koshô (spice mix of seasoned salt and pepper) - 1–2 tsp. vegetable oil

Method of Preparation 1. Clean and trim rakkyo, removing root ends and outer layer. Trim tops so each piece is about 4 inches in length.

2. Lay pork slices out flat on a cutting board and cut each strip in half.

3. Sprinkle each piece of pork with aji shio koshô.

4. Starting at the bulb end of the rakkyo, wrap each with a piece of the pork.

5. Pre-heat lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.

6. Place pork-wrapped shallots in single layer into skil- let with the edge of the wrapped pork facing down (so it doesn’t unwrap while cooking).

7. Cook for approximately six minutes, turning two or three times after the edge sticks, until all of the pork is cooked through and browned.

8. Enjoy!

APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 65

LIVING ON OKINAWA

Gyudon (Beef Bowl) Serves 4 Ingredients 4 cups steamed Japanese rice 16 oz. lean, thinly sliced beef 1 onion 1 1/3 cup dashi (broth made from dried bonito flakes) 5 tbsp. soy sauce 3 tbsp. mirin (sweet cooking wine) 2 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. sake (rice wine) Raw eggs and benishoga (red ginger) for topping (one egg per serving) Method of Preparation 1. Immediately before preparing the beef, fill four donburi (large bowls which come with ceramic lids) half full with freshly cooked rice and cover.

2. Slice onions and cut beef into bite-sized pieces.

3. Heat dashi, soy sauce, sugar, mirin and sake in a small frying pan.

4. Add onion slices and simmer until semi-transparent.

5. Increase heat to medium, add beef into the pan and simmer for a few minutes.

6. Ladle mixture over the rice in the donburi.

7. Add the raw egg and cover.

8. Top with benishoga immediately before serving.

Shīmī During the month of April, many new to the island might see a perplexing sight—families gathering at tombs for what appear to be picnics. And while the number of people gathering at graves during this time of year is frequently large, this doesn’t necessarily mean that these locales are the Okinawan picnic site of choice. These families are gathered for Shīmī—an annual ceremonial visit to the family ancestral tomb. Although formally held on Higan, or the spring equinox, Shīmī is often held on an April weekend convenient for all members of the extended family.

Unlike those found in mainland Japan, Okinawan tombs are strongly influenced by Chinese counterparts. These tombs, which are mostly above ground, tend to be a lot larger because urns containing the cremated remains of all of the kindred from the father’s side of the family are placed inside. Tombs also include an open (and sometimes covered) area in front, so that the entire clan can gather.

On the day of Shīmī, after cleaning up the surrounding area, blankets or tarps (depending on weather) are laid on the open space in front of the tomb. Sweets, fruits and gochisō (a traditional feast inside ceremonial containers called jyūbako) are brought from each family. Although the variety of food inside the jyūbako varies from family to family, they always come in odd-numbered quantities as even numbers are inauspicious (these rules also vary depending on which part of Okinawa the clan originates). After

placing the feast in front of the ancestors’ tomb and “praying” for them, the “tomb picnic” begins, where families enjoy food, drink and conversation with living relatives. 

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APRIL 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 69

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