Okinawa Living Magazine December 2020

BATTLE OF THE BREWS TEA VS. COFFEE December 2020 | Issue 274

EXPLORE THE OCEAN BLUE...ON DRY LAND

contents December 2020

18

8 56 out+about SOUTHEAST BOTANICAL GARDEN AND AQUARIUM BY RODERICA MATHIS

8 Holiday Wonder and Light Despite the lack of snow, there is no shortage of holiday cheer at Okinawa’s illumination events.

features 18 Battle of the Brews Tea vs. Coffee Is Okinawa a better island for tea or coffee? Grab your favorite tea cup or mug and decide with us.

On the cover Hoping your holidays are filled with wonder, light, peace and happiness!

56 Explore the Ocean Blue...

On Dry Land Visit the Okinawa Ocean Expo Park and DMM Kariyushi Aquarium to witness Okinawa’s natural beauty and unbreakable ties to the sea.

restaurant review 44 Take-Out is King Chinese Take-Out Menu at Okinawa Grand Mer Resort With take-out’s crowning as the most convenient and health-conscious form of eating out these days, Okinawa Grand Mer Resort will have you saying “Long live the king!”

contents December 2020

41 Ring in the New Year with MCCS Celebrate the dawn of a brand-new year at one of the many MCCS Club celebrations.

kids + parents 47 Wooden Gingerbread House Making Event Children ages 5–10 are invited to start the season off right with holiday crafting and a movie.

49 Send 2020 Out with a Splash Don’t miss the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team’s final meet of the year, where the competition will be heated and Blue Seal Ice Cream will be cold.

services 51 Double Holiday Sales at Typhoon Motors Shopping for car lovers just got easier with Typhoon Motor’s Kenwood and $1 Lift and Stall Rentals sales.

extras

37

5 Mensôre

7 Feedback & Show Us!

fitness + fun 29 Sports Galore!

Semper Fit is offering so many sporting events this winter, you’d think the Olympics were never cancelled.

DRAGONIMAGES/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

31

35 Passport to Volunteering Act on that holiday spirit! Become a volunteer in your community and use that experience to bolster your résumé.

dining + entertainment

Driving Range Reopening After weeks of revamping, Taiyo Golf Club is thrilled to announce its driving range is officially reopened and better than ever!

37

marines + families

39

33 Virtual Holiday Events MCCS Education and Libraries are offering virtual events all December long—from an ugly sweater contest to holiday movie trivia—with chances to win MCCS Gift Certificates.

Christmas at the Clubs If you are looking for a nice meal out on Christmas, head to one of the many buffets or à la carte options available at an MCCS Club near you.

Brunch with Santa It’s a well-known fact that Santa loves brunch, and this month, he’ll be dropping by Butler Officers’ Club and Tengan Castle before returning to the North Pole.

69 Living on Okinawa

70 Marketplace Guide

DECEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 274 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 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 DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHER Kailey LaValliere EDITORIAL Alex Jusell, Angie Andrews DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Kathlene Millette, Lillion Hunt Hamilton, Hillary Taylor Christine Zimmerman 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

mensôre “Welcome” to Okinawa Living

Battle of the Brews!

This month, we’re having a friendly competition over drinks…coffee and tea, that is! Inspired by this month’s feature, “Battle of the Brews: Tea vs. Coffee” starting on p. 18, we’re giving away ten FREE extraspecial Bonsai Coffee Company mugs with which to hold your favorite beverage.

For your chance to win, join us in some holiday hide-and-seek fun. Whether you are on team-coffee or team-tea, everyone loves FREE stuff.

Here’s how to play: Throughout this issue of Okinawa Living Magazine, we have hidden several tiny icons. As you enjoy this issue with a good cup of joe or relaxing tea, look a little closer than you usually do and keep a tab of how many you can find.

Next, follow Okinawa Living on Instagram (@okilivingmag) and send us a DM with the amount of icons you found in the magazine. If your number is correct, you’ll be entered for a chance to win!

This contest will run December 1–31, and any messages received before midnight will be counted as eligible entries. Winners will be announced in January 2021 and may pick up their prizes from either Bonsai location (on Camps Foster or Hansen). For rules, and any questions about this contest—or to provide your opinions why coffee is better than tea or vice versa—please contact us through Instagram. Also on @okilivingmag, we’ll be hosting “coffee and tea trivia time,” sprinkled with a bit of this-or-that, fun polls and “two truths and a lie” throughout the month of December, so stay tuned!

In addition to this competition, MCCS also has a lot more in store for you this month; keep an eye out for the flurry of holiday events taking place island-wide as part of Your Home for the Holidays. For a list of these events, head to mccsokinawa.com/holidays, and from the bottom of our hearts, we wish you and yours a happy holiday season.

P.S. The example image shown above does count towards the correct number of hidden images, so you’ve found one already! 

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) 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 ©2020

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.

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feedback

from the ICE Program and Facebook Where and when do you offer Mongolian BBQ at your clubs?

—via Facebook MCCS’ Mongolian BBQ special travels to different installations throughout the week. If you live or work in northern Okinawa, check out The Palms on Camp Hansen Sundays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. or Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. BeachHead on Camp Schwab offers it on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m., and Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney hosts a Mongolian BBQ lunch on Thursdays (11 a.m.–2 p.m.) and dinner on Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. If you live or work farther south, Camp Foster’s Ocean Breeze offers Mongolian BBQ on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and MCAS Futenma’s Habu Pit offers it on Thursdays (5–9 p.m.) and Fridays (11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.). Finally, Surfside on Camp Kinser offers Mongolian BBQ on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Stop by soon for a meal fit for a Khan!

—MCCS Marketing

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

@alzamante

Little girl you light up my life. #okilivingmag

I am so grateful for the information and guidance that Mr. Anthony Green was able to provide and I would highly recommend his services to my family members and others in the future. Mr. Green is very knowledgeable and passionate about his job. After my one-on-one session with Mr. Green, I feel so much better about my future finances.

Thank you, MCCS, for having such a professional and compassionate person on your team who cares so much about his job.

—via ICE

@kichi_oki_pottery

We really appreciate the time you took to provide us with the feedback on your recent experience with our Personal Financial Management Specialist, Mr. Anthony Green. Helping people like you to feel more comfortable about finances and helping you to reach your financial goals is the overall mission of the Personal Financial Management Program. Feedback such as yours lets us know that our program is heading in the right direction. Thank you once again for your kind words, and we look forward to continue helping you achieve your financial goals.

— Connie Melendez, Family Programs & Resources Program Manager

Having fun playing with pottery clay. #okilivingmag

First off, I really appreciate all the hard work everyone does at the gym to make sure it stays open during this health crisis—the classes are very much appreciated.

However, I was wondering why only 10 people are allowed to participate? We wear masks and keep six feet apart. Meanwhile, on Kadena they allow 30 people in classes. I’m not trying to be ungrateful, but when I show up 30 minutes before a class it’s already full!

—via ICE Thank you for your question regarding max-capacity limits for group fitness classes at MCCS Semper Fit facilities. Out of an abundance of caution, III MEF & MCIPAC senior leadership, along with USNH and Navy Public Health, have developed max-participation limits for many of our facilities, services and programs. Senior leaders continually review all programming and phase them back in as conditions warrant. Yes, there are differences between Kadena and MCIPAC, and mitigation policies and procedures do vary a bit between the different services. However, our primary mission is to keep you safe while still being able to provide services to our community.

—Stephanie Towers, MCCS Semper Fit Health Promotion Program Manager

@dmck72

Enjoyed a delicious breakfast while taking in this beautiful weather. #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.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 7

NAME/BIGSTOCK.COM

OUT + ABOUT

Holi day Wonder and Light A

h, the holidays…trees stripped bare by winter winds and decorated with strings of twinkling, colorful lights, not to mention angels, Kris Kringles, reindeer and countless other holiday icons, lining—and in some cases, dominating—yards and street lanes. And, for those fortunate enough to live in colder climes, there is always the possibility for a blanket of fresh winter snow covering everything in a pristine sheet of white, making the colorful holiday illumination shine even brighter.

Although Okinawa will probably never experience the latter part of that last paragraph, saying that there’s a shortage of holiday wonder and light during the yuletide season would be wrong by a mile.

MCCS PHOTO

BY MIKE DALEY LAYOUT BY MAYAR MAHMOUD

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 9

OUT + ABOUT

MCCS PHOTO

Kurisumasu Okinawa-style Normally beginning during the months of November and December (and in some places sooner), stores on Okinawa become filled aisleto-aisle with every type of Christmas decoration imaginable. Colorful artificial trees of all sizes— including almost-garish versions lit with fiber optics—fight for shoppers’ attention with fake pine garlands, real poinsettias, plenty of bright, brassy tinsel and tree toppers heavy enough to give a natural treetop a 45-degree list to starboard.

But perhaps the most popular manifestation of the holidays on Okinawa are the colorful, shining illumination displays. Today, more and more Okinawan families join in the holiday spirit by

stringing lights along their gates, in and around trees and shrubbery and over the doorways and entrances to their homes. Okinawa Denryoku (The Okinawa Electric Power Company) even sponsors a holiday illumination contest that grows larger and larger each year.

However, even though some of these home displays can almost turn night into day, they pale in comparison to holiday light displays held in places such as American Village in Mihama, Southeast Botanical Gardens, Okinawa Zoo and Children’s Museum and several resort hotels such as Kanucha Resort, Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort and more.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 11

OUT + ABOUT

Southeast Botanical Gardens Home to 1,300 species of exotic plants, trees, shrubs and a petting zoo featuring the cutest animals gathered from around the world, Southeast Botanical Gardens never fails to amaze guests of all ages all year round. However, the gardens turn into an extra-special place during the holidays with multitudes of tropical plants draped with Christmas lights and cheer. As the Botanical Gardens wants to wish its visitors happiness and positivity after a challenging 2020, hope and

energy are the two major themes on display at this year’s “Road of Iridescence 2020–2021.” Admission for this event, which features 2.8 million LED lights and was registered as “A Night View Heritage of Japan” in 2019 by the Japan Convention & Visitors Bureau, is ¥1,800 for adults, ¥1,100 for high school students (and seniors over 60), ¥600 for elementary and middle school students and FREE for kids under 6. The gardens will be lit up from 5 to 10 p.m. now until May 9.

MCCS PHOTO

Mihama American Village V During the day, the sprawling Depot Garden complex of Mihama’s American Village is a veritable explosion of pinks, oranges and yellows with curved corridors lined with shops hawking the latest fashion, art, curios and gadgets. The complex itself is made up of around a dozen buildings designed with a fusion of European, Asian and Okinawan styles.

During the holiday season (and well beyond), this explosion of color becomes an eruption of holiday cheer in the evenings.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 13

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OUT + ABOUT OUT + ABOUT

Kanucha Bay Hotel and

Villas Stardust Fantasia

MCCS PHOTO, TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF SHERATON OKINAWA SUNMARINA RESORT

Tucked away in beautiful Oura Wan Bay, Kanucha Bay Resort Hotel is a spectacle that’s worth the drive at any time of the year. But during the Christmas season, this charming ocean-side retreat is transformed into a stunning village of stars. Kanucha Bay begins its seasonal illumination in November, ideal for those who prefer an early start to the holidays. For 106 nights (until Valentine’s Day), over 1,000,000 lights decorate the sprawling hotel grounds. Ample pools make this a photographers’ paradise with reflections on the waters amplifying the beauty tenfold. For mitigation reasons, this year’s event is only open to hotel guests, those using the golf facility and restaurant patrons. A romantic dinner followed by leisurely strolls amongst the shining lights at Kanucha is a perfect Christmas gift to add to your list of presents for that special someone on your list.

Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort Enjoy a stroll along brilliantly lit promenades at this luxury resort located in Onna Village before you enjoy a special holiday meal. From December 23 to 25 (two seatings per evening; 5:30–7:30 p.m. and 8–10 p.m.), the whole family can enjoy a special Christmas Dinner Buffet featuring carved turkey and juicy roasted pork at Dining Room SENSES. Prices for this special meal are ¥6,000 (13 and older); ¥3,500 (ages 6–12); ¥2,000 (ages 3–5) and ¥4,200 for seniors over 65. After your meal, catch the Sunmarina Sound & Light Fantasy Show. This spectacle will feature “projection mapping” in which holiday images and textures are projected onto the entire interior of the pyramidshaped hotel and accompanied with festive music. Shows are FREE and happen every evening at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. For more information on the Special Dinner Buffet and holiday happenings at Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort, visit sheraton-okinawa.co.jp/en.

Okinawa Zoo and Children’s Museum The Okinawa Zoo and Children’s Museum traditionally celebrates the holidays with lights and festivities ranging from an extensive illumination display and fireworks displays to “snow” from a giant snow machine. Families can start the day at the zoo early; the Okinawa Zoo houses nearly 200 species and more than 1,000 animals including reptiles, mammals, birds and fish to gawk at. Once visitors have finished animal gazing, they can indulge in bumper cars, relax by a fishing pond, take a scenic spin on the train, twirl on the merry-go-round, float on a three-person mini-boat and visit the Wonder Museum—a 3,400 square-meter facility brimming with gadgets, games and exhibits. This year’s events are still tentatively scheduled; stay tuned to okzm.jp/en/event and facebook.com/pg/ okinawakodomonokuni/events for updates.  DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 15

Battle of the Brews

Is Okinawa a better island for tea or coffee? Grab your favorite yunomi (tea cup) or mug and decide with us.

History Angie “To a Tea” Andrews: History tips the scales in favor of tea, for sure. The first known tea garden in Japan was inside Emperor Kammu’s palace near Kyoto in 794 AD, but tea did not become widespread until 1191 when Eisai, a Japanese Buddhist priest, brought seeds over from China (some of these plants are believed to still be growing in Uji today).

On Okinawa, when Chinese envoys traveled to the Ryukyu kingdom, they were welcomed with the Ryukyu tea ceremony and served buku-buku cha (foaming or bubbling tea). Around Naha, you can still try buku-buku cha, which is believed to bring good luck to travelers. Now, can you honestly say that coffee has as far-reaching a history as tea on Okinawa?

Alex “Coffee Fiend” Jusell: I cannot—but, we are witnessing coffee history in the making. At the turn of this century, with only coffee pots,

vending machines and a couple Doutor Coffee Shops to turn to, Okinawan coffee drinkers were in the dark ages. Twenty years later, however, coffee has rocketed in popularity, specialty coffee shops have multiplied and local farmers have established the Okinawa Coffee Association in the hopes of making coffee an agricultural staple. Sure, tea’s got a long history, but we are alive to experience the Okinawan coffee revolution!

AA: Why, though, has it taken so long for coffee to have its day on Okinawa?

AJ: A couple reasons: coffee plants hate typhoons and love high altitudes. Unfortunately, Okinawa has a lot of the former and none of the latter. Thanks to some persistence and creative engineering, however, several farms up north have seen fruitful seasons the past couple years.

Besides the history, what else is exciting about tea?

By Angie Andrews and Alex Jusell Layout By Giulia Pulvirenti

Unique Aspects AA: Historically, cha (tea) was a luxury reserved for the wealthy and elite— AJ: But what about today?

AA: But today, over 3 million tons of tea are produced annually worldwide and it’s enjoyed by all. Japan is the second largest producer of green tea and within the top-ten tea producers in the world. While Okinawa produces only a small fraction of Japan’s tea, it has one the highest populations of centenarians, and along with other lifestyle aspects, tea consumption is credited as a possible factor in the health and longevity of the Okinawan people.

Tea carries heavy cultural significance, too.

Each tea ceremony is supposed to be a unique event that one might experience only once in his or her lifetime. From the tea ceremony, we can learn the four principles of tea: harmony, respect, purity and tranquility.

AJ: At the expense of sounding like an actual cup of coffee writing this article, where’s the excitement?! According to the Okinawa Coffee Association, all of the island’s coffee plants grew from seeds brought over from Brazil in 1972. Beans transported with the sounds of Ziggy Stardust, Honky Chateau and Exile on Main Street ruling the airwaves—rock n’ roll and coffee, now that’s excitement.

Health-wise though, you’ve beat me by the stem of your leaf. There’s a famous quote from Kakuza Okakura: “Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage.”

Coffee, however, started as food for goats to get them to stay awake longer. And while coffee is associated with the reduced risk of various cancers, Parkinson’s disease and dementia, it can also cause insomnia, irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure.

AA: Sounds like tea might be growing on you, then? Speaking of growing, Okinawa actually produces both tea and coffee.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 19

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 21

Farms AJ: Yes it does! Okinawa is close enough to the “bean belt” (23.5 degrees north and south of the equator) to foster coffee growth, as there is no threat of frost in the winter. And, like I mentioned before, farms have been cropping up around island—but starting a farm can be quite hard: it takes three to five years for newly planted trees to bear fruit (which means three to five years to start making profits) and beans on island predominantly have to be hand-picked since the terrain is too rugged for mechanized harvesting.

This uphill climb to get started, however, is evidence of the dedication coursing through the 30 or so farmers striving to make a name for Okinawan coffee.

Some of the farms are even accommodating to guests interested in experiencing the process from bean to joe; Matayoshi Coffee Farm and Nakayama Coffee Farm both offer tours where you can pick, roast and grind beans to brew them into your own cup of coffee. How do the tea farms fare?

AA: Tea farms thrive amid Okinawa’s climate, and tea is usually harvested more than once a year. Interestingly, all true tea comes from one plant, Camellia sinensis, which can grow up to almost six feet tall, although it’s highly unlikely you’ll see any tea plants that large in Japan since it’s common practice to keep the plants short and cultivate them in neat, organized rows.

While you’re here, don’t miss the unbeleaf-able chance to see a working tea farm, like CHA-EN in Uruma, which produces kōcha, or black tea. (You might be surprised to learn that on Okinawa, many tea bases are more often black or oolong than green.)

For herbal teas, try Chosei Yakusou in Nanjo, which has a tea-manufacturing facility connected to its farm, herb garden and shop, Ukon Salon, where you can purchase pre-packaged teas or create your own blend by mixing and matching various herbs and teas.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 23

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Varieties AA: Counting the types of tea would be like counting grains of rice in your ochazuke (rice steeped in tea). With so many choices, it seems that everyone should be able to find at least one tea to fall in love with.

If you were intrigued by the buku-buku cha mentioned earlier, it’s made from several different types of tea, mixed with brown sugar and then topped with a mountain of foam and sometimes crushed peanuts. This foam only forms properly from mineral-rich water, though, so buku-buku cha is fairly unique to southern Okinawa and its springs.

Okinawa has many other unique teas to enjoy, as well. Karagi tea is made from the cinnamon trees of Yanbaru, and teas made with other local produce such as acerola, gōya, shikuwasa, butterfly pea flowers, roselle and turmeric are also available. Most well-known, though, is sanpincha, an oolong and jasmine mix which has a green-tea base.

AJ: I can’t dispute the vast variety of teas, but the options for coffee are just as plentiful, if not more abundant. Let’s start with the large-scale productions and narrow the scope.

While the vending machines do

have teas, you’ll also find the canned coffee giants: UCC, Pokka, Suntory (Boss, Roots), Kirin (Fire), Dydo, Nestlé (Nescafé) and CocaCola (Georgia). These mega-corporations offer hot, cold, sweet, black, creamy and blended coffee to appeal to the general on-the-go population.

Next, you’ve got the coffee chains on island—Doutor, Tully’s, Starbucks— AA: Hey, Starbucks has tea as well!

AJ: Fine, I’ll give you that. And although these chains offer enough tasty varieties in their own right, they still have the just-above-average taste that is to be expected from chains.

Finally, you’ve got the specialty coffee shops where the quality truly soars. Many of these shops import beans from all over the world, roast the coffee themselves and then use a pour-over method to elevate the quality beyond your expectations. Add to that the cold brew, lattes and other espresso-based options available, and it’s more than enough to keep a coffee lover busy. Speaking of shops…

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 25

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Shops AA: There are plenty of places to check out if you’re up for a tea-shopping spree. Some grocery stores carry Okinawa Tea Factory teas, but they also have their own shop in Okinawa City. Browsing any of the three Lupicia locations on island is fun, too. While not necessarily produced by local farms, Lupicia does offer a selection of teas that are only available on Okinawa, with the option of souvenir tins.

Besides drinking tea all day long, there are also other ways to enjoy it. Green-tea flavored cookies, ice cream, donuts and candies (including KitKats!) abound, but if you prefer a more savory experience, give ochazuke a try. Ochazuke is a rice-based meal topped with any number of combinations and ingredients, over which you then pour hot tea. There are even instant ochazuke packets available, but I suggest trying ochazuke from a nearby restaurant, like NODO Cafe by the Sunabe Seawall.

AJ: I’ve got to say, stores are where there is no comparison; Okinawa has an excellent coffee shop scene. Zhyvago Coffee Works, Cerrado, Coffee Potohoto, T&M Coffee, Goodday, Yamada, Kramp, Bloom—Okinawa is overflowing with shops (which tend to double as both cafés and bean vendors) that hold taste at the forefront. With so many great options, the competition is stiff but overall great for the community, as it drives the standards for coffee up and, as a direct result, Okinawa’s reputation in the coffee world. I mentioned this briefly, but the quality of coffee at these shops is on another level. When you experience the complex and unique flavors these shops can extract from their beans, the world seems to melt away— at least for the span of a cup.

Conclusion AJ: To me, Okinawa is a better island for coffee because of the excitement, the quality and the individuality of the coffee scene. We are witnessing a turning point in Okinawa’s history where coffee is exploding—in

AA: You say popularity, I say popularitea! While coffee is new and exciting on Okinawa, tea is a cultural treasure. Its presence throughout history makes it a prominent feature in art, some religious ceremonies and at family gatherings. Tea is too intertwined with lifestyle to be considered a mere drink, which is why, I think, its importance surpasses coffee’s on Okinawa.

AJ: These are just our opinions, however.

AA: Definitely a matter of personal taste.

AA & AJ: But we want to hear what you think! Is Okinawa a better island for coffee or tea? Head to instagram.com/okilivingmag and tell us why.

And whether it’s coffee or tea in your cup, cheers! 

production, popularity and taste. At the forefront of this explosion are the passionate farmers who won’t quit in the face of Okinawa’s less-thanperfect growing conditions, and the shop owners charting new territories, free from corporate restraints and intent on perfecting every turn of the process to provide the most satisfying, unique cup of coffee. Coffee-making is a labor of love, and on Okinawa, there’s plenty to go around.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 27

FITNESS+FUN

Sports Galore!

Semper Fit Winter Events

Semper Fit is offering so many sporting events this winter, you’d think the Olympics were never cancelled. Whether you play with your hands, feet, a bat or a racquet, there are plenty from which to choose.

Camp Courtney has two flag football tournaments on the horizon: The Camp Courtney Open and the Northern Camp Commander’s Cup. You can catch both tournaments at the Camp Courtney Bowl Field, but other than the location and the sport, that’s where the similarities end. The Courtney Open, available to SOFA ID card holders 16 and older, will run Saturday–Sunday, December 19–20. Registration ($150) is required by 1 p.m. on December 14, and first, second and third-place teams will go home with awards and T-shirts. The Northern

Camp Commander’s Cup, open to eligible units from Camps Courtney, Hansen and Schwab, is a FREE tournament Saturday– Sunday, January 2–3. First and second-place teams will receive awards, and registration will close December 28 at 1 p.m.

If flag football isn’t your cup of tea, head to MCAS Futenma for the Open Racquetball Tournament and the 6v6 Soccer Tournament, both of which are open to SOFA ID card holders 16 and older. Racquetball will hit the Semper Fit Athletic Facility’s courts Saturday–Sunday, December 19–20. Awards will go to the top three performers, and registration ($15) is required before December 14 at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Soccer will kick off at the Semper Fit Athletic Field Saturday– Sunday, December 26–27. First, second and

third-place teams will receive T-shirts and awards. Registration ($150) is required by December 21 at 1 p.m.

Last, but not least, the Camp Hansen Open Softball Tournament will swing into action Saturday–Sunday, December 26–27, at the Hansen Softball Fields. Open to SOFA ID card holders 16 and up, registration ($150) is required by 1 p.m. on December 21. First, second and third-place teams will go home with awards.

Registration for all events is through Eventbrite. For more information, head to mccsokinawa.com/adultsports or facebook. com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. For questions, email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 29

FITNESS+FUN

Discover Deep Savings Tsunami Scuba Holiday Sale

Driving Range Reopening Taiyo Golf Club To all of you Taiyo golf-warriors out there, thank you for your patience while the driving range has been undergoing renovations.

After weeks of revamping, we are thrilled to announce that the driving range—a 100-yard range with 14 hitting stalls complete with a practice bunker and pitching green available for free use—is officially reopened and better than ever.

Todd Toohey, the Taiyo Golf Club Manager, had this to say about the new range: “The target greens on the driving range have been reshaped in order to create a more realistic result and accept shots like the greens on the golf course.” In addition to this improvement, all of the golf balls have been culled and replaced with new ones, and a token dispenser is now

available which will dispense tokens for $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills (before, customers could only use $1 bills at the range).

And now that the range is reopened, player development offerings are available again.

Stop by Taiyo for Family Fun Night Wednesdays, Just-4-Juniors every first Saturday of the month, Free Range Afternoon for Marines and Sailors every second Saturday, Spouse’s Free Range Day every third Saturday and more!

The driving range at Taiyo Golf Club, located in Uruma City near the Kurashiki Dam in Central Okinawa, is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day during the winter. For more information, head to mccsokinawa.com/golf. For questions, call 622-2004/2006 from a DSN or 098-954-2004/2006 from off base. 

Clubs, Balls and Tees…Oh My! Taiyo Golf Club Pro Shop Holiday Sale This Christmas, make sure your gift giving is on “par” with Santa’s. Whether you’re shopping to fill your golf buff’s closet or golf bag (get them a whole new bag, even!), Taiyo’s Pro Shop has just what you need. We’ve heard from a little birdie that there’s no such thing as too many shirts, visors and hats when it comes to looking sharp out on the course. And a light jacket never hurt a golf wardrobe, either. With brands like Titleist, Nike Golf, Callaway, Mizuno and more, there are plenty of options that range from larger, unique-to-wrap gifts such as clubs and push carts on down to stocking stuffers such as tees and golf balls.

And don’t let Okinawa’s winter weather fool your golf enthusiast. A full day on the course

calls for staying hydrated no matter which season they happen to sink their hole-in-ones. Pick up one of Taiyo’s water bottles, and give the gift of hydration.

Lastly, keep your eagle-eyes peeled as you shop the Holiday Sale at Taiyo Golf Club’s Pro Shop from November 27 to December 25. All items will be marked down at least 10% and select items may be discounted even further.

Winter Pro Shop hours are daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., so you have plenty of time to snag the perfect gift. For more information on Taiyo Golf Club’s offerings and sale details head to mccsokinawa.com/golf. 

It’s no secret that the waters around Okinawa are a spectacular underwater playground for scuba divers and most any day is a good one to take in the underwater sights. Chances to explore the unique rocks, coral shelves, marine life and World War II remnants await beginners and experienced divers alike. While exploration is readily accessible, there is still the matter of having the right training and gear.

On December 19 and 20, grab a shopping buddy and descend upon any Tsunami Scuba location for the best prices on gifts for all of the divers on your list. All retail items (except booties and educational materials) will be 10% off. You can take advantage of Tsunami’s Holiday Sale between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. as you score all of the gear on your loved ones’ wish lists with brands such as AquaLung, Suunto and Bare.

Whether you are looking to send your diver out with a new wetsuit, fins, mask and gloves, or equip them with a new regulator, dive computer or knife, Tsunami Scuba has it all.

(Please note that discounts apply to in-stock items only.)

After coming up for air from beneath your new pile of dive presents, check out the classes and dive certifications offered through Tsunami Scuba. If you are already certified, take an advanced course or check out the dive site listings, dive map or Dive the Rock videos found at mccsokinawa.com/scuba. 

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 31

MARINES+FAMILIES

Not a Creature was Stirring...

Except Your Computer Mouse This December, all active duty service members, veterans and their family members island-wide are invited to participate in online holiday-themed events hosted by MCCS Education and Libraries. Follow facebook.com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries and keep an eye out for each contest’s posted thread detailing how to register as well as any applicable contest rules and prizes.

Kick off the virtual festivities on December 3 by sharing a video of your family’s holiday traditions. Videos should be three

minutes in length or less and posted no later than noon on Thursday, December 10.

From December 10 to 17, you have two chances to embrace the season from behind your screen. Learn how to make origami Christmas ornaments through our online demonstrations. Then, display your creations and fully-decorated tree by posting a photo to the Holiday Tree Decorating Contest. Education program staff will choose the winning tree.

And if your tree isn’t deemed the prettiest, may your sweater be the ugliest!

December 17 through 31, contestants may post selfies sporting their ugly sweaters for a chance to win the Ugly Sweater Contest.

Last, but not least, play our online Holiday Movie Trivia game on Wednesday, December 23 at 2:30 p.m. Show that you’re the king or queen of knowledge on everything Scrooged, A Christmas Carol, Home Alone, A Nightmare Before Christmas or any other of the yuletide cinema greats. For questions about trivia or our other contests, please call 645-7160 or 098-970-7160. 

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 33

MARINES+FAMILIES

Get Wrapped Up in the Season Japanese Gift Wrapping and Santa’s Workshop

Passport to Volunteering Act on that Holiday Spirit Around this time of the year, with the holiday spirit kicking in, it’s common to feel a burst of selflessness and to want to help out the community. Without a concrete plan to act on, though, that urge can sometimes fizzle out. But don’t let it! Act on that holiday spirit and be a benefit to your community. To help you set a concrete plan, the MCCS Volunteer Program is offering a brief called Passport to Volunteering in which you’ll also learn how to use that volunteer work to boost your résumé. How? Employers and educational institutions (rightfully) regard volunteer work as a show of great character. And when you can identify transferrable skills from volunteering that relate to the position you are applying for,

your résumé will stand out amongst the rest.

Strategically volunteering and identifying relevant skills to put on a résumé (or even to gain scholarships) is certainly a skill, though, so the professionals at the Volunteer Program will show you how to do it and do it well.

You can catch this brief on December 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Single Marine Program Center (Bldg. 1220) on Camp Kinser.

Social distancing and face coverings will be required, so don’t forget yours! Registration is also required, so make sure to sign up at mccsokinawa.com/volunteer while there is still space. For questions, please call 645-3749 from a DSN or 098-970-3749 from off base. 

Sponsorship Training Setting You Up for Success Yes, Sponsorship Training is a mandatory class required before assuming the role of a sponsor, but a lot has changed recently (what hasn’t?) due to COVID, so we want to make sure you are up to snuff before taking the helm of your next sponsorship.

The first major change is that all Sponsorship Training and all Sponsorship Coordinating Training is no longer over the phone or online, but in person at participating Marine and Family Programs Resources (M&FP-R) facilities.

To sign up for a class, all you have to do is head to mccsokinawa.com/relocation and register through the M&FP-R facility at which you wish to train. This website also includes information pertinent to becoming a successful sponsor, including DoD guidance on transportation,

housing, pets, ROM, liberties, household goods and restrictions concerning COVID. Other resources available include training materials, sponsorship checklists, PCS flowcharts, housing applications and more. If you are new to being a sponsor, we know this is a lot of information, but the Sponsorship Training will help you make sense of everything and set you up for success.

Trainings are 9–11 a.m. every Tuesday in December. Locations for this training include the M&FP-R buildings on Camps Foster (Bldg.

445), Courtney (Bldg. 4425), Kinser (Bldg.

1220), Hansen (Bldg. 2339) and MCAS Futenma (Bldg. 407). For questions, please call one of the M&FP-R numbers through mccsokinawa.com/ relocation or email mcbb_reloassist@usmc.mil. 

Even a brief visit to Japan is enough for most people to discern the consideration and importance assigned to presentation—and, by extension—gift wrapping. There are many proper etiquette-related elements tied in with the art of packaging a gift, the intricacies of which you might find a bit overwhelming. As long as you remember that the wrapping is just as important (if not more so) than the gift itself, your best efforts will be appreciated, and besides, MCCS is here to help. Japanese Gift Wrapping Workshops with FREE materials included along with light snacks will be offered on Camps Foster (December 4), Courtney (December 11), Kinser (December 21) and Hansen (December 23). For more details and to register, visit mccsokinawa.com/ culturalawareness.

All MCCS Libraries will also host weekly Santa’s Workshop events to ease the demands of holiday gift wrapping. FREE wrapping supplies such as paper, bows, gift tags and bags will be provided. Between December 1–24, each library will have designated days for patrons to visit Santa’s Workshop to complete their gift wrapping: Mondays on Camps Foster and Courtney, Thursdays on Camps Kinser and Futenma and Saturdays on Camps Hansen and Schwab.

Supplies will be set up during each library’s business hours until one hour prior to closing. On Christmas Eve, all libraries will have their remaining supplies out and available.

To check your library’s hours or for more details, head to mccsokinawa. com/libraries. 

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 35

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Christmas at the Clubs Merry Wishes and Holiday Dishes If you’re looking to enjoy a holiday meal at home, MCCS’ Holiday Meals-To-Go is your answer (head to p. 41 for more on that), but if you’re looking for a nice meal out on Christmas, head to one of the many buffets or à la carte options available at an MCCS Club near you.

For lunch and early-dinner buffets on December 25, head to The Palms on Camp Hansen, Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney, Butler Officers’ Club on Plaza Housing or Surfside Ballroom on Camp Kinser between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The buffets are all $19.95 for adults, $8.95 for children ages 5–11 and FREE for children under the age of 5, except at The Palms, where adults are $17.95 and children ages 5–11 are $8.95.

For a special evening buffet, Camp Schwab is open 4–8 p.m.; the cost is $17.95 for adults, $8.95 for children ages 5–11 and again FREE for children under 5 years old. Lastly, if you prefer à la carte as opposed to a full buffet, Taiyo Steakhouse will be open 7 a.m.–3 p.m. for Christmas brunch and 6–8 p.m. for dinner.

Whichever MCCS Club you pick, you’ll be in good hands, just keep in mind reservations are required for all Christmas at the Clubs meals.

For a list of Clubs’ numbers so you can call and reserve your spot, head to mccsokinawa.com/clubs. 

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 37

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DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Brunch with Santa At Butler Officers’ Club and Tengan Castle Okinawa has made Santa’s nice list, so he’ll be here, on island, making himself at home during MCCS’ “Your Home for the Holidays” events.

And as it turns out, to get that jolly belly, Santa does actually eat more than just milk and cookies. You have several chances to enjoy a very merry meal with Santa Claus this December. Reservations are required, so make sure you call ahead to book your family’s space for a spectacular Sunday brunch.

Before Christmas, over on Plaza Housing, Santa will be brunching at Butler Officers’ Club on December 6, 13 and 20. In addition to their traditional Sunday menu, Butler Officers’ Club will also offer special holiday items. Adult meal prices are $19, children’s meals (ages 5-11)

are $9.50 and children under age 5 may eat for FREE. For more information, or to book your reservation, please call 645-7530 or 098-970-7530.

After Christmas, on December 27, if you’d like to thank Santa for a splendid holiday and wish him well before he travels back to the North Pole, catch him during his “last stop” brunch at Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney. Besides a delicious meal, this event will bring fun for the whole family with a best-dressed elf costume contest. Adult meal prices are $19.95, children’s meals (ages 5-11) are $9.95 and children under age 5 may eat for FREE. For more information, or to book your reservation, please call 622-9413 or 098-954-9413.  DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 39

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Holiday Meals-To-Go Phone-In Feasts Ah, Christmas morning! The stunning tree, favorite traditions and joyful moments with family are picture-perfect. But picture this: your kitchen is calling and it’s time to spend hours cooking a feast that will be devoured in mere minutes. Sure, you love that your family enjoys your cooking, but wouldn’t you rather relax and spend more time with them on this special day?

Enter the Holiday Meals-To-Go option.

You can have every tasty bite of a full feast in the comfort of your own home without lifting a finger or spending your whole day in the kitchen! You’ll have the choice of turkey, ham or both, and all of your favorite sides plus pies for dessert.

MCCS chefs from The Palms on Camp Hansen, Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney, Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster and Surfside on Camp Kinser are at your service. To order your complete meal package or à la carte items, contact the club where you’ll be picking up your meal. Be sure to place your order five days prior to your intended pick-up date and plan to pay for your meal in full two business days in advance. Hours for ordering are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., so go ahead and make that call. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With that in mind, our Holiday Meals-To-Go will be available through January 2, 2021, with the last day to place orders being December 28. For participating club phone numbers and holiday menus, visit mccsokinawa.com/catering.

Ring in the New Year... ...at an MCCS Club Near You It’s been a tough year, so come celebrate the dawn of a brand-new one with MCCS! We’ve got your party needs covered with plenty of events to choose from at participating MCCS Clubs. Meal-wise, Taiyo Steakhouse will be dishing out fine dining from 6 to 9:30 p.m., but if you’re looking for excitement—meaning music, hors d’oeuvres and midnight toasts—here are your options. (Two things to note: parties are open to all ranks, civilian equivalents and their guests unless otherwise noted, and whenever a rank is mentioned in the following list, civilian equivalents and their guests are included.)

Come to Camp Foster’s Globe & Anchor dressed to impress at 9 p.m. or, if you’re a SNCO, head to Chesty’s SNCO Lounge at 8 p.m. Camp Courtney’s bash at Bayview starts at 9 p.m. and is open to E-5 and below. If you’re a SNCO on Courtney, head to Hashmarks at 8 p.m., and if you’re an officer, head to Legends at 6 p.m.

Camp Hansen’s The Palms, Camp Schwab’s BeachHead, Camp Kinser’s Surfside Ballroom and Plaza Housing’s Butler Officers’ Club will all start rocking at 9 p.m., with the latter only open to officers. Lastly, on MCAS Futenma, head to Thirsty’s at 7 p.m. or, if you’re a SNCO, to Habu Pit at 9 p.m. for a night to remember. Whichever club you choose, MCCS will help you start 2021 on the right foot.

Social distancing and masks will be required. For more information, including participating clubs’ phone numbers and locations, head to mccsokinawa.com/clubs.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 41

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 43

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Take-Out is King Chinese Take-Out Menu at Okinawa Grand Mer Resort

By Angie Andrews | Photography by Hillary Taylor | Translation by Hiromitsu Horikawa

Location Okinawa Grand Mer Resort Chinese Take-Out 2-8-1 Yogi, Okinawa City Hours of Operation Daily 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. *Last Order: 9 p.m.

Payment Yen and major credit cards Phone Number 098-931-1585 *Please call for more menu information.

Amid COVID regulations, take-out dining has become king. While this is certainly something to get used to for many local restaurants, there are those that are adapting and doing so quite well. After my first sticky-sweet bite from the Chinese take-out menu at Okinawa Grand Mer Resort, all I can say is “Long live the king!” My delight was readily apparent as both my co-workers and restaurant staff chuckled when all I could do was give a big thumbs-up while my mouth was shamelessly full.

You might be wondering which menu item I was enjoying so much, and honestly, everything I tried was delicious. So, before I color your opinion with my personal tastes, allow me to share a broader glimpse of the whole menu and clue you in on what to expect. This is most definitely not your average Chinese take-out. The full menu was created by Chef Junichi Machida, who has been cooking for Okinawan hotels and resorts since the age of 18. Now, granted, I wasn’t rude enough to ask his current age to ascertain his length of experience, but believe my taste buds, Machida-san knows what he is doing.

The menu is fabulously user-friendly, complete with photos, clear ordering instructions and the added ease of ordering by each item’s assigned number. For chronically indecisive folks (like myself), it never hurts to know the staff-recommended favorites, so in no particular order, they include the Kung Pao Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Dipping Chili Chicken, Ginger Fried Beef, Dipping Chili Shrimp and the Spicy Potatoes. On the evening we visited, we also enjoyed the Honey Mustard

Chicken, the Spring Rolls, Garlic Fried Rice, Fried Noodles and Edamame.

I really don’t believe there’s anything you’d regret as the only teeny-tiny, guilt-inducing regret I personally have is that generosity got the better of me, and I decided to share some of my Lemon Chicken. It was by far my number one pick of everything we tasted.

With fresh lemon slices tucked between each bite-sized chicken piece, the aroma alone was pure bliss. A close runner-up for me was the Ginger Fried Beef with its thin and perfectly tender cuts, seasoned just right with the peppery-warmth of ginger—the hidden-spice treasure I discovered too late in life. For an added pop of pretty (and pink) presentation, several of the dishes come served with deep-fried prawn-flavored rice crackers, too.

Now, take-out is one thing, and as I said, may it live on for a good long time, but what if you just can’t wait to dig in? You’re in luck, because if you ask the staff for outdoor seating along with your to-go order, you can enjoy a picnic dinner overlooking Nakagusuku Bay. They’ll set you up with blankets, chairs and serving trays right on the front grounds of the hotel (outdoor seating requests can be accommodated during their take-out business hours).

With the ease of daily take-out hours, this is the perfect place to add to your “go-to to-go restaurants” list. Your wallet will be at ease as well, with entrée dishes costing ¥750 each and side items carrying a price of either ¥480 or ¥280 per order. Literally yours for the taking, a delicious meal is only a phone call away.  DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 45

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KIDS + PARENTS

Letters to Santa and Virtual Story Time Have a Merry and LiteracyFilled Christmas

If writing letters to Santa is one of your family’s traditions, you aren’t alone. Did you know this tradition is centuries old?

Children in the United States began sending letters to Santa Claus in the 1870s and actually, at first, the letters were sent from Santa to children instead of the other way around.

This was in an effort to encourage good behavior, but now children have become fond of writing to let Santa in on the secret of their preferred Christmas presents.

While children may see this as plain fun, early literacy development relies on reading, writing and the connection between the two. Take advantage of both reading and writing with Story Time and Letters to Santa at MCCS Libraries this December.

All throughout the month, libraries on Camps Foster, Courtney and Kinser will have letter-writing supplies and special mailboxes to send mail directly to the North Pole, where Santa is anxiously awaiting his mail from all of the good boys and girls on Okinawa. To view your library’s hours and contact information, please visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries.

MCCS Libraries will also host a Virtual Story Time on their Facebook page. One of Santa’s helpers will be spreading Christmas cheer with read-aloud stories and sing-along songs through Facebook Live on Friday, December 18 at 5 p.m. You can join in (even if you’re in ROM) at facebook.com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries. 

Decorate Your House with Houses P&PD-R’s Wooden Gingerbread House Making Event With “Your Home for the Holidays,” MCCS has no shortage of themed events guaranteed to spark that holiday spirit, and on December 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Personal and Professional Development-Resources (P&PD-R) will do just that with their Wooden Gingerbread House Making event. Children ages 5 to 10 are invited to stop by the P&PD-R building on Camp Foster (Bldg. 445), Camp Courtney (Bldg. 4425) or Camp Kinser (Bldg. 1220), where participants will create and decorate their own wooden gingerbread houses to take home at the end of the event.

What in the world is a wooden gingerbread house, you ask? It is a gingerbread house carved out of wood; the architectural style is “gingerbread,” but none of the materials will crumble on you or tempt your dog or cat with sugary smells. This ix-ne on the ood-fe is part of our COVID-mitigation effort, along with the social distancing and face coverings that will be required, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of materials with which to decorate the wooden gingerbread houses; each kit comes with one wooden house, 12 gem stones, one stencil sheet, one sticker sheet, one non-toxic glitter glaze, five non-toxic acrylic paints and two artist-quality paintbrushes. Moreover, P&PD-R will provide lights snacks, refreshments and a movie to really start the holiday season off right.

As space is limited, registration is required; to sign up (and for more information), please head to mccsokinawa.com/culturalawareness.  DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 47

KIDS + PARENTS

Ornaments to Cherish for Years to Come P&PD-R’s Ornament Decoration Event Even if you aren’t a sentimental person, there’s something special about a hand-made ornament either you made as a child and have kept through the years, or your own child has made for you. These ornaments don’t just grow on trees, though. Often, it takes a fun teacher to prompt students to make them—or, a great event like MCCS P&PD-R’s (Personal and Professional Development-Resources) Ornament Decoration Event.

On Friday, December 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., bring your kids (ages 5–10) and join P&PD-R in creating ornaments—to decorate your tree, wall or office desk—that you will be able to cherish for years to come. And the fun won’t be limited to ornament-making; P&PD-R will play a holiday movie and provide light snacks and refreshments, as well.

You won’t just leave with an ornament, you’ll leave feeling the holiday spirit.

For travel-convenience’s sake, this event will be running simultaneously at four different locations. Stop by the P&PD-R building on Camp Foster (Bldg. 445, across the street from MCCS HQ), Camp Courtney (Bldg.

4425, next to Tengan Castle), Camp Hansen (Bldg. 2339, in the same building as the Library) or Camp Kinser (Bldg. 1220, next to Surfside) to participate.

As space is limited, please register through mccsokinawa.com/culturalawareness to reserve your spot. Social distancing and face masks are required. If you have any questions, please call 645-2104/2106 from a DSN or 098-9702104/2106 from off base.

Send 2020 Out With a Splash This Year’s Final ODST Swim Meet Did you know that a typical high-school aged competitive swimmer can swim close to one million strokes during a swim season? How about that swimmers actually sweat while in the pool or that as an exercise, swimming uses almost every muscle in your body? If you’re an active swimmer, I would say you have quite a bit to be proud of in 2020.

On December 12, the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) will host their final swim meet of the year at the Camp Foster Aquatic Center. Warm-ups begin bright and early at 7 a.m. and the actual swim meet races start at 8:05 a.m. Swimmers of all ages are welcome to compete in various individual or relay events and participants for each event will race based on entry times, although awards will be based on age group and gender.

Besides the competitive thrill, you might find yourself a little extra-motivated to race for the end-of-the-meet celebratory reward—Blue Seal Ice Cream! To add one last score to your 2020 swimming record, be sure to register no later than December 9. SOFA status members may register for this FREE event by emailing aquatics@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Send in your name, gender, age, school name and grade (if applicable) along with which events you would like to compete in. (ODST members will race in events selected by their coaches.) Specific events and additional details may be found at mccsokinawa.com/swimteam.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 49

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Shopping for Car Lovers Just Got Easier Double Holiday Sales at Typhoon Motors Gearheads can be hard to shop for. Car parts are either too expensive or too specific to easily find, or it can just be hard to guess what a car lover wants. But this holiday season, as part of MCCS’ Your Home for the Holidays, Typhoon Motors’ double holiday sales will make shopping for car-related presents that much easier.

The first sale on the calendar is the Kenwood Sale at Typhoon Motors on Camp Foster. For the whole month of December, Kenwood car entertainment equipment—radios, speakers and amps—will be discounted between 10% and 25% off.

The second sale is the $1 Lift and Stall Rental Sale. If the motor guy or gal in your life would like some space to work on his or her own car, this is a great (and cheap!) option. The indoor auto work stalls—either with or without lifts—are available for rental and come stocked with tools so your gift recipient doesn’t have to worry about forgetting any equipment at home. This sale is available at Typhoon Motors on Camp Foster December 23–24, 26–31 and January 2–3; on Camps Courtney and Hansen December 23–24, 26, 29–31 and January 2; and on Camp Kinser December 26–27 and January 2–3.

For more information on locations, hours and phone numbers, head to mccsokinawa.com/typhoonmotors, and happy holiday shopping on behalf of MCCS! 

Draw From the Benefits of Sketching MCCS Sketching Classes Drawing is a fabulous activity because it is a creative outlet. Flexing your creative muscle often enhances mood, but sketching is specifically a way through which to express yourself and help you stay inspired and upbeat, which are incredibly important factors to have at hand during these stressful times. And let’s be honest: we could all use an extra positivity boost this year.

In addition to art’s primary benefit of expressing oneself, there are many secondary benefits involved, too. Think about the strategy, spatial awareness and critical thinking skills you are honing when producing an image. Additionally, anytime you practice putting a pen or pencil to paper, you are sharpening your fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. But what if you don’t know how to draw? Don’t worry! Sketching classes are offered right here on Okinawa.

Sketching classes offered through Foster Framing and Fine Arts are available for adults and children. Kids’ Sketching classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Adult Sketching classes are Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Kids’ Sketching classes are also available through Courtney Arts and Crafts from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays with the Adult Sketching Class on the same days from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. All classes include eight sessions and as students’ drawing skills improve, working with other art mediums is encouraged (and available through MCCS’ other art classes!). Registration for classes may be completed in-person or via email. For more questions regarding classes or to register, email artsandcrafts@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Class schedules are also posted at mccsokinawa.com/framingandfinearts and mccsokinawa.com/artsandcrafts.  DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 51

KIDS + PARENTS

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 53

EXPLORE THE

OCEAN BLUE…

ON DRY LAND Text by MIKE DALEY Layout by MARGIE SHIMABUKURO

A

s we look forward to a new year (and hopefully one that promises more

adventures out and about), make plans to visit two facilities that exhibit Okinawa’s natural beauty and unbreakable ties to the sea— Ocean Expo Park and DMM Kariy-

BIGSTOCK.COM

ushi Aquarium.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 57

OKINAWA COMMEMORATIVE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PARK

NAME/BIGSTOCK.COM OKINAWA COMMEMORATIVE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PARK

O C E A N E X P O P A R K & O K I N A W A C H U R A U M I A Q U A R I U M This expansive park has a little bit of everything for everyone, from subtropical flowers and a traditional Okinawan Village to numerous exhibits chock-full of aquatic and amphibious creatures who also call Okinawa home.

TROPICAL DREAM CENTER Start your visit to Ocean Expo Park with a refreshing walk among the vibrant colors and scents of orchids in the Tropical Dream Center. There are over 2,000 orchids, varying in shapes and colors, spread among three greenhouses. Marvel at the paphiopedilum (a.k.a. “Venus’ slippers”) or drink in the vibrant pinks and purples of the phalaenopsis, vandas and the cattelya (trust us, the names don’t do them justice). There are many other types of tropical and subtropical flowers and fruits to view, so do not forget your camera to document all the beauty for friends and family back home. Better yet, visit the Nangoku Museum Shop to purchase orchid seedlings, T-shirts or hand-dyed scarves for yourself or those who are not as fortunate to live on Okinawa.

OKINAWA COMMEMORATIVE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PARK

OCEANIC CULTURE MUSEUM Travel back to a time when sailing vessels were the only means of commuting between the islands around Okinawa. The Oceanic Culture Museum has an abundance of early fishing and transportation canoes and boats from throughout the South Pacific for visitors to marvel at. You can also learn about traditional means of nautical exploration, such as navigating by starlight. Speaking of which, the museum also boasts a planetarium with mesmerizing presentations.

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NATIVE OKINAWAN VILLAGE & OMORO BOTANICAL GARDEN

TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM AQUARIUM AND MANTA PHOTOS COURTESY OF OKINAWA COMMEMORATIVE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PARK,

Experience life in the Ryukyu Kingdom at the Native Okinawan Village, where you will find many examples of traditional Ryukyu architecture. Then, meander through Okinawa’s oldest folk songs as told by the plants and trees of the Omoro Botanical Garden. If you cannot get enough of the native flora, or want to learn more about tropical and subtropical species, stop by the Tropical and Subtropical Arboretum at the southern point of the park.

OKINAWA CHURAUMI AQUARIUM Words cannot describe the beauty and splendor encased in Churaumi’s massive “The Kuroshio Sea” Tank. Wander through the four floors of many sub tanks and displays and experience the diverse undersea world that surrounds Okinawa without ever having to leave dry land. And unlike many aquariums where you are only able to observe the exhibits from one angle, the Churaumi’s paths surround most tanks on more than one side. For example, you are able to look down into the Coral Sea exhibit before you even enter the building. Once you’ve finished perusing the sea life, dine at the Inoh Restaurant overlooking the East China Sea and try to imagine swimming in those waters with the creatures you just saw in the tanks. Don’t forget to walk along the water to visit the sea turtles, manatees and Okichan Theater, where you can catch the FREE dolphin show.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 61

I I A S D M M

O K I N A W A T O Y O S A K I & K A R I Y U S H I A Q U A R I U M

One of Okinawa’s newest malls, iias Okinawa (which opened in June 2020) is located within walking distance of Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa and the beautiful Toyosaki Beach. Featuring hundreds of shops, iias houses a PGA Tour Superstore for golf fanatics, fashion emporiums H&M, Uniqlo and GU, restaurants such as Luke’s Lobster, Sam’s (as in “Sam’s by the Sea”), Taco Rice Café Kijimuna and many others. As if this wasn’t enough, iias is also home to the DMM Kariyushi Aquarium—Okinawa’s newest destination for experiencing sea life on dry land.

OKINAWA’S NEWEST AQUARIUM DMM Kariyushi Aquarium is unique in that it mixes both virtual and actual creatures in a brand-new experience that the whole family will enjoy. This aquarium even offers a phone app that you can download to help guide you through your journey.

TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF DMM KARIYUSHI AQUARIUM

EMERALD FOREST Although not a representation of one specific area, the section that encompasses the entire second floor of DMM Kariyushi Aquarium is home to freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians and more from many different ecosystems. While wandering around the Emerald Forest, your ears are filled with the sounds of Okinawa’s northern forests, recorded over a 24-hour period and reflecting the time of day. Residents include silver arowana, Okinawan tree lizards, Chinese water dragons, red-bellied piranha, strawberry poison dart and green and black poison frogs (look, but definitely don’t touch), river stingrays, red devils and more.

Deeper into the “jungle,” visitors will meet mudskippers, fiddler crabs and a smooth-fronted caiman. Near the exit of the Emerald Forest is the touch pool where visitors can get up-close-and-personal with sea stars and sea cucumbers, as well as small sharks! Although sharks are cool, the stars of this area are the Oriental small-clawed otters and Humboldt penguins, each frolicking in their respective exhibits.

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 63

Before exiting this section, visitors will probably spend more than a moment admiring the half-virtual exhibit representing the Okinawan coastlines. Built with a gigantic screen as a backdrop, the scenery constantly changes, showing different weather in the background from moment to moment; speakers also generate the realistic sounds of ocean waves crashing into the shore.

LEFT AQUARIUM, SQUID AND TOP RIGHT PHOTOS COURTESY OF DMM KARIYUSHI AQUARIUM

OCEAN BEAUTY Upon descending to the first floor, visitors are greeted by several tanks highlighting a dazzling variety of tropical fish and coral ranging from pulse, orange cup and purple-tipped acropora corals to more mobile denizens such as clownfish, gobies, flounders, shrimp, lobsters, crabs, moray and garden eels, seahorses, cowfish and more.

Next, travel through the underwater tunnel and peer at many varieties of fish including palette surgeonfish (a.k.a. Dory), goatfish, blue-green chromis, parrotfish and others from below. The next section offers a moment of relaxation as you wander among giant cylindrical tanks filled with multitudes of jellyfish. The ambiance of this area cycles through different lighting sequences, giving the impression that visitors are exploring an alien world on the edge of the galaxy.

The “main course” of DMM Kariyushi Aquarium is, of course, the largest tank in the facility, which sports a large window and smaller circular windows, offering views of schools of Indian mackerel, rays, larger sharks, snappers, groupers and more—including a sea turtle. However, what makes this aquarium unique is the immersive virtual experience. At the “virtual aquarium” exhibit, visitors can also view realistic displays of creatures that would be impossible to house in an actual aquarium—including an encounter with a giant squid over 18 meters in length and living in waters at depths of over 500 meters.

The seas surrounding the island are a vital part of life on Okinawa. For generations upon generations, the seas have fed and nurtured the people, giving them a deep and profound respect for Mother Nature. As soon as the “new normal” allows, make plans to visit these facilities and give yourself and your family a better understanding of Mother Nature’s magnificence. 

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 65

Longing for a

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BETTER YEAR

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とまりん

Open : Mon.-Sat. 10:30a.m-6:00p.m Wed. 10:30a.m-12:00a.m Closed : Sundays & announced days

E-mail

2-

2 -1

（ 2km ） an

0 9 8 - 8 6 0 - 9120

To Naha （ ） Airport

（3F a, J naw ）Maej ima Naha City, Oki

ap

Please let us k now if you a re br i ng i ng a ny chi ldren w ith you.

LIVING ON OKINAWA

Chawan-Mushi

(Steamed Egg Custard) This delicious, silky custard is usually served as a component or course in a traditional Japanese meal. However, it can be enjoyed on its own as well.

INGREDIENTS 4 eggs 2 cups dashi (a broth made from dried bonito flakes) 3/4 tbsp. salt 1 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tsp. sake (rice wine) 1 1/4 tbsp. mirin (sweet cooking rice wine) 3 oz. fresh spinach leaves (parboiled) 4 small shrimp (uncooked, shelled and de-veined) 4 shiitake mushrooms (stemmed and quartered) 8 snow peas (parboiled) Method of Preparation 1. Crack eggs into a bowl. Add the dashi, salt, soy sauce and mirin; beat well.

2. Allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes, then strain to remove all air bubbles and lumps.

3. Divide the shrimp, snow peas and shiitake mushrooms between four individual heatproof custard cups with lids (or heat-resistant coffee cups with saucers or foil for lids).

4. Pour the egg mixture into each cup until two-thirds full and cover with the lid. Place the cups in a preheated steamer and steam over high heat.

When the surface of the custard turns white (about three minutes), reduce the heat to low and steam for an additional 15 minutes.

5. Once you are able to stick a bamboo skewer into the custard and have the liquid flowing from the puncture run clear, it is ready to serve.

Kagami-Biraki Although many in Japan enjoy eating rice cakes called mochi throughout the year, the beginning of January is the time when this cake is consumed the most. During New Year’s, many Japanese prominently display kagami-mochi (“mirror-rice cake”) in their homes. This traditional decoration is made with two different-sized rice cakes stacked on top of the other with an orange on top—sort of like a snowman with an orange head. The reason this decoration is called “mirror” mochi is because the rice cakes are shaped like the old-fashioned metal mirrors that many Japanese used back in the old days.

The original inspiration for using an orange to top this decoration is from the fruit’s name. In Japanese, the color orange is pronounced “dai-dai” which also means “from generation to generation” and symbolizes prosperity.

Every year on January 11, during the days of the samurai, kagamimochi were broken and eaten in a ritual called “kagami biraki”— which literally means “mirror opening”—to usher in a prosperous new year. The pieces of mochi were then eaten, often in a red bean soup. Nowadays, kagami-mochi are often vinyl-coated facsimiles, because real mochi easily molds and cracks. However, the casings still usually contain individually wrapped mochi, and the rice cakes remain an important Japanese New Year’s tradition. 

Uchinâguchi Corner English

Japanese

Uchinâguchi

Big/Large

Okkii/Dekai

Magisan

DECEMBER 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 69

Commercial Ad Directory

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