Get into the Yuletide mood by visiting one of the many holiday illumination displays located throughout the island!
16
JUNGLIA
Ready for a Brand-New Adventure?
Get ready, Okinawa’s getting a brand-new theme park! JUNGLIA, a nature-focused theme park scheduled to open in 2025, will showcase the rich biodiversity of the island’s northern region— and we’ll give you an exclusive sneak-peek!
56
Hot Pot
Nourish Your Stomach and Soul
With the upcoming season bringing cooler temperatures and chilly winds to the island, a bountiful bowl consisting of piping hot broth, tender meats, seasonal veggies and chewy noodles enjoyed with the ones you love and cherish is the perfect way to bring back some warmth into everyone’s bodies, hearts and souls.
restaurant review
42
BIRTHCAFE
Healthy Food, Healthy You, Healthy Earth
BIRTHCAFE serves up conscientious plates of food that are as good for patrons as they are for Mother Earth. The café is not just for vegans, vegetarians or gluten-free folks on island, there’s a meal for everyone no matter your dietary restrictions or preferences.
fitness + fun
27
Light Up the Season
Ryukyu Lantern Festival
Join Tours+ as they wander through a recreated 14th and 15th century historical town and its captivating display of over 5,000 lanterns on the Ryukyu Lantern Festival tour.
29
The 2025 MLK Basketball Tournament…
…is Back!
As we transition to a new year, Semper Fit has some happy news—the return of the biggest and hottest basketball clash on the island. That’s right, it’s almost time for the 2025 MLK PacificWide Basketball Tournament!
31
When on Okinawa…
…Take Adult Martial Arts Classes
There isn’t a more perfect time to give martial arts a try than while stationed on Okinawa—the birthplace of karate! Semper Fit has got you covered with a wide range of martial arts classes including Setkudo Mixed Martial Arts, Shorin Ryu & Isshin-ryu Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and more!
marines + families
33
Hot Cocoa & Jams
Cookies, Crafts and Christmas Carols
Make this season extra special by bringing the whole family down to any MCCS Library to enjoy heart-warming holiday tunes and a warm cup of cocoa that will warm your soul.
37
Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Remember, Not One Drop!
Driving inebriated leads to nothing good. With consequences ranging from disciplinary action to possibly losing your job, it can also lead to injury and death.
dining + entertainment
39
Cosplay, Comics and Community
2024 Comic Con Okinawa
It’s finally here! The island’s premier event for all things comics, cosplay, sci-fi, fantasy, manga and gaming hosted annually by MCCS Okinawa will be happening on December 8.
39
Army vs. Navy Big Game Breakfast
Go Navy! Beat Army!
Gather together to cheer on the Midshipmen at the Butler Officers’ Club during the annual Army vs. Navy football game!
kids + parents
45
Dolphin Swim Team Tryouts
Develop a Lifelong Passion
Help turn your child’s love for swimming into a lifelong passion by having them try out for the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST).
45
Holiday Storytimes
With MCCS Libraries
Are you missing holiday stories that elevate the Yuletide mood? Head to the nearest MCCS Library for Holiday Storytimes—an annual event where holiday-themed stories and songs will fill the air.
services
51
Typhoon Motors Holiday Sales
You’ll Fa-La-La in Love with these Specials
Good tidings are here! Typhoon Motors located on Camps Kinser, Courtney and Hansen will gift you and your ride with various specials throughout the month of December.
53
We Want You!
Join the MCCS Team
MCCS offers a variety of challenging, careerbuilding opportunities with the priority on hiring qualified family members of active-duty military and civilian employees stationed on Okinawa.
extras
5
DECEMBER 2024 | ISSUE 322
COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC
Major General Brian N. Wolford
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
Meghan Johnson, Alora Wilson
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
James Rieth, Airi Igarashi, Taylor McFarlane, Danielle Bedard
DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER
Thomas Alan Smilie
PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS
Mia Cox, Azra Dolberry
EDITORIAL
Swetha Gogue, Laura C. Pita
DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA
Tiara Supakit, Claire Wilkinson, Lauren Thobe
CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST
Ayako Kawamitsu
ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER
John Dailey
ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP
Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Tsutomu McCoy, Aimee Tamashiro, Hiroko Poole
MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER
Andrew Menges
MARKETING ACCOUNTS
Amber A. Padilla, Marissa DeSmet
DISTRIBUTION
Wataru Yamanoha, Shohei Ikene
MARKETING INTERN Genesis Benitez
We welcome your comments. Please send letters to editor@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org
We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet For the sake of auld lang syne…
As the fnal month of 2024 winds down, a few of us may still be wrestling with New Year’s resolutions made the frst day of this year, while many more of us have probably forgoten what they were in the frst place. Te vast majority in both camps are probably thinking the same thought—it seems like only a blink of an eye has passed but the year is almost over! Most New Year’s resolutions are about improving oneself…many popular ones include quiting smoking, losing weight (or gaining muscle), geting out of debt, drinking less and spending more time with the family. Others may include resolving to be a nicer person—holding the door open for strangers, smiling more ofen or volunteering in the local community.
While these resolutions are all worthwhile (especially the last), why not be a bit more creative this year and resolve to do something meaningful and fun? Being on Okinawa, there are plenty of possibilities and there’s no time to waste! How about learning a martial art? Okinawa is the birthplace of karate, and there’s no beter place to learn this art that teaches about self-mastery—which enables karate practitioners to harness immense power, blinding speed and an almost inhuman resilience.
Resolving to get into shape while also giving back to the community? Volunteer to coach a youth sports team! Running the sidelines, giving in-game instructions and hopping up and down when your team scores can certainly get the blood pumping. And, watching your charges grow and mature certainly flls the heart.
Looking for something a bit less strenuous but just as worthwhile? How about resolving to learn enough Japanese to say “hello” and “thank you” to the nice old Okinawan lady that rakes the leaves and cleans up the trash in the local park your children play in every afernoon?
Okinawa ofers plenty of opportunities to enrich and improve ourselves both inside and out. Be it climbing a small mountain, visiting all four populated Kerama Islands…or even sampling a bowl from every Okinawa soba shop on island (although it would be a stretch trying to justify that as a viable resolution).
Mike Daley Editor-In-Chief
feedback from the ICE Program and Facebook
MCCS did an outstanding job with the Futenma Flight Line Fair. Food options were outstanding, the staff was great and the entertainment was the best I have seen in 30+ years on the island (booking BABYMETAL to perform was amazing)! My father and I had a great time. Thank you for making Sunday, Oct. 6 such an amazing day.
—via ICE
I
first want to say that the staff at the Kinser Fitness Center are wonderful. The janitors do a great job at keeping it clean, especially the female janitors and keeping the female locker room and restroom clean. I also want to give a huge thank you to Caroline, I took one of her classes recently and she made me feel so comfortable in her class and didn’t judge me for what I couldn’t do, and worked with me on what I could do.
—via ICE
I took the 3D printing course at the Courtney Library, and the instructor Emi [Yoshida] was great, very helpful and made it easy to understand. Great job!
—via ICE
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the amazing staff at MCCS Youth Sports. This season has been a joy, and I truly appreciate your professionalism and great service. I know the baseball season had its challenges with the weather, game changes and tough questions from parents and coaches, but your dedication really stands out. I’m looking forward to the upcoming basketball and cheer seasons with a lot of gratitude. Thank you so much!
—via ICE
I wanted to express gratitude to all of those that were out supporting the Futenma Magic 10-Miler. Exceptional work all around! Staff was very accommodating, and the event went very well. Keep up the great work over there!
—via ICE
Working with Kinser Surfside staff was an absolute pleasure. MACG-18 had our annual Kids Marine Corps Ball on October 10 with over 200 participants. The event was successful (again) thanks to Ms. Fara [Dominguez] and her team’s constant professionalism. They were extremely easy to work with from the beginning with great communication skills, efficiency and punctuality. Special thanks to Ms. Fara and Ms. Asaka [Gushiken] who both have exceptional customer service skills and provided great experience for our Marines and families. On behalf of MACG-18, thank you Kinser Surfside!
—via ICE
@okilivingmag
Show us your island adventures and favorite food finds!
@anniesblogworld
Serving Black Swan vibes for the USMC ball#249 happy birthday to my favorite marine cheers to new friends and long life memories.
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 www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org and find the ICE link in the “MORE” section of the homepage or find us on Facebook to share feedback. Comments on this page may be edited for clarity or length.
During the months of November and December (in many places the day afer Halloween), stores on Okinawa are flled aisle-toaisle with every type of Christmas decoration imaginable— colorful artifcial trees of all sizes including almost-garish fber optic trees, garlands of fake pine, real poinsetias and plenty of bright, brassy tinsel and tree toppers.
But perhaps the most popular manifestation of the holidays on Okinawa are the colorful, shining illumination displays. Today, multitudes of Okinawan families join in the holiday spirit by stringing lights along their gates, 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 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 and Okinawa Zoo and Children’s Museum both in Okinawa City, several resort hotels such as Kanucha Resort, Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort, ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort as well as many restaurants and department stores.
JUNGLIA is currently under construction on approximately 150 acres of land, previously used as a golf course, between Nago City and Nakijin Village. By building on an already processed piece of land, both Katana Inc. and Japan Entertainment Inc., hope to minimize the environmental impact on the precious northern forests. Size wise, JUNGLIA will be in the same league as popular mainland Japan theme parks, including Tokyo Disneyland (115 acres), Tokyo DisneySea (176 acres), Fuji-Q Highland (124 acres) and Universal Studios Japan (130 acres).
Te theme park, with its proximity to the Yanbaru National Park—an evergreen subtropical forest known for its tranquil mangroves, lush woodlands, powerful waterfalls, dramatic coastlines with limestone clifs and sandy beaches—aims to provide guests with an unforgetable experience or a Power Vacance!! (vacation in French), as their operating company Japan Entertainment Inc. is referring to it.
Te aim is to harness the natural beauty of the area, the energy of the wilderness and the freedom from urban constraints that can be experienced in northern Okinawa, in order to generate a wide variety of experiences ranging from exhilarating to serene for patrons.
A towering tree, made of a combination of indigenous Okinawan tree species, including banyan and deigo will welcome visitors, seting the scene for the magic of nature that awaits inside JUNGLIA. Te park will feature more than a dozen atractions, entertainment, a unique dining seting and numerous opportunities for relaxation.
Tere isn’t a more perfect location for a large-scale safari ride reminiscent of the fctitious zoological park in Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and Stephen Spielberg’s blockbuster flms than the mountains of northern Okinawa. Guests will have to buckle in tight before embarking on an adventure through the jungle in a powerful armored vehicle. Far from a leisure ride through a lush forest, passengers will encounter lifelike carnivorous dinosaurs and frantically escape along with their friends. In addition to the adrenaline-inducing ride, there will also be child-friendly dino experiences your kiddos will be talking about for ages.
Another atraction in the works at JUNGLIA will be Okinawa’s frst balloon ride! Guests will encounter a diferent kind of thrill as they jump aboard the oversized passenger basket and are gently lifed to new heights. As they soar through the blue sky while bathing in sunshine, they will marvel at the panoramic views of the forest below and the sparkling coastlines in the distance. Escape the crowds and connect with nature in both an exhilarating and serene way. Te best part? Tere will be a meal and special cocktails ofered on the balloon ride.
If experiencing the park on the ground or high up in the sky is not enough, visitors are in luck because JUNGLIA will have a few actionflled recreational activities that will enhance their experience at the park even further.
Trill-seekers will gear up, climb up and while their hearts race in anticipation, take a full body-dive like a bird taking fight—embracing the feel of the wind, the thrill of speed and experience the exhilarating sensation of weightlessness as they soar over the Yanbaru wilderness.
Te overwhelming sense of freedom and joy visitors will get a taste of through the Jungle Area atractions at JUNGLIA will become a cherished memory for years to come.
Once guests have worked up an appetite exploring the park, they can head to the dining facility, which will feature an observation deck and enchanting bird’s nest-like seating. Woven nets made of natural materials will be suspended above the park ofering a view of the mountains that will enhance your connection to the verdant ecosystem. Tis unique dining experience will also include JUNGLIA’s special cuisine, drawing from a wide variety of Okinawan ingredients, making it a true feast for the senses.
A thermal bath facility adjacent to the theme park will ofer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of JUNGLIA. Te spa, with its serene infnity pool, will seamlessly blend luxury and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape with delicious Okinawan cuisine and cocktails inviting guests to unwind and allow the stresses of their everyday lives to melt away.
No day at a theme park is complete without a captivating freworks display drawing ooh’s and aah’s from the awestruck crowd as delightful punctuation. Te unobstructed location of JUNGLIA will provide an ideal seting for the dazzling choreography of brilliant reds, blues, greens and golds as they light up the night sky coupled with the crackles and pops of elegant star cascades followed by the rolling thunder and brilliant fashes of the grand fnale.
Light Up the Season
Ryukyu Lantern Festival
Japan is known for their elaborate winter illuminations, typically on display between November and December, although some start in October and run until springtime! Okinawa has various displays throughout the island (see p. 8) but there is also a litle something extra hiding among the farmlands of Yomitan Village and MCCS Tours+ makes it a breeze to experience.
Murasaki Mura is a theme park that allows visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the Ryukyu Kingdom. From December to March, you can wander through a recreated 14th and 15th century historical town and its captivating display of over 5,000 lanterns. From Chinese to Vietnamese lanterns made with colorful silk materials, to dramatic human-size lanterns from the Aomori Nebuta Festival and even a display of handmade lanterns by local children, there’s plenty to see. Enjoy local drinks and foods at the concessions stand, crafs, projection-mapping shows and live entertainment.
Join MCCS Tours+ for their Ryukyu Lantern Festival Tour on Sunday, December 15 from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with tickets available on Eventbrite. Park admission is included in ticket price but bringing yen for food and additional purchases is recommended. Cancellation policy is two days before the tour date. Want to go on your own? Tours+ also ofers discounted tickets if you prefer to buy them in advance and drive yourself. For more information on the Ryukyu Lantern Festival Tour as well as other Tours+ oferings, visit www.okinawa.usmcmccs.org/tours, email tours@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or call 646-3502
Explore Taipei this Spring…
…with MCCS Tours+
Looking to explore the land of boba tea? Taiwan has got everything from historic temples, lively night markets, charming streets, unique coastlines and, of course, towering skyscrapers. All of this and more can be experienced during the four-day Taipei Spring Tour with MCCS Tours+. Jump on the bus at the Foster Education Center, sit back and relax on the drive to Naha Airport. In under two hours you’ll be in Taipei.
Te tour includes a nature and culture bus tour to the outskirts of the city with stops at the Yehliu Geopark to see the unique rock formations on the coast as well as the village of Jiufen, which features one of the oldest streets in all of Taiwan that’s reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic movie Spirited Away. Travelers will also visit the old railroad town of Shifen, where visitors can release wish-flled lanterns into the sky and the waterfall nicknamed “Litle Niagara of Taiwan.”
Tere is also a city bus tour with stops at the iconic skyscraper Taipei 101 with its observatory, restaurants and shopping center and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (the national monument built in honor of the former president). In addition, no visit to Taipei is complete without exploring the Shilin Night Market—where visitors can indulge in delectable street food, shop for souvenirs and experience the energetic atmosphere.
Join MCCS Tours+ for their Taipei Spring Tour on March 14–17, which includes roundtrip airfare, transportation, hotel accommodations for three nights with breakfast and two bus tours. Register at any Tours+ ofce before January 20. For more information, including pricing, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/tours.
The 2025 MLK Basketball Tournament…
Back!
As we transition from 2024 to 2025, Semper Fit has some happy news for the New Year—the return of the biggest and hotest basketball clash on the island! Te 2025 MLK Pacifc-Wide Basketball Tournament, held in honor of the late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will take place January 16–17 starting at 6 p.m. and January 18–20 with games beginning at 9 a.m.
Te tournament is open to men’s and women’s teams throughout the Asia Pacifc region. Happening at the Camp Foster Fieldhouse, the competition includes a 3-point shootout, a skills competition and a dunk contest (the more iconic the dunk, the beter, of course). Te top four teams from each pool
in the main round-robin tournament will advance to the double-elimination tournament.
Team and individual awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place fnalists as well as to the All-Tournament Team, All-Tournament Coach and MVP, in both divisions. A Tournament Champion and runner-up will be determined via a skills challenge, 3-point shoot-out and dunk contest.
Teams can register for $400 via Eventbrite until January 6 (1 p.m.). Te 2025 MLK Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament is sponsored in part by BSN Sports. For more information, call 645-4866/645-3521 or send an email to adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Holiday Time Trials
Winter Dip at the Aquatic Centers
Too cold for a dip in the water? Not at the heated 50m pool at the Semper Fit Aquatic Center on Camp Hansen. Challenge yourself at the Holiday Time Trials, an event where swimmers will predict their 50-meter swim time before heading to the starting block. Swimmers that complete their laps within two seconds of the prediction times will receive a prize; all participants are permited two atempts so make those chances count!
Te Holiday Time Trials will run from December 10–13 and December 17–20 with sessions at 6 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. as well as on December 9 & 16 with sessions at 6 a.m. and noon. Tis event is open to SOFA-status participants. Register on-site the day of event; pre-registration is not required. For more information, visit www.okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/aquatics, email mccsaquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 645-3780/098-970-3180
Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh…well, on a subtropical slice of island paradise, it’s kind of hard to dash through the snow. Instead of white snow fakes falling from the sky, Okinawa is beaming with sunshine and in the cool temperatures ranging from high 50s to low 60s ofering minimal humidity and maximum pleasure for being outdoors.
To take advantage of the ideal weather, lace up your shoes and get ready for the Kinser Santa Run on Sunday, December 22 Tis event is open to both SOFA and non-SOFA participants to enjoy a friendly community competitive run. Registration ends on December 13 (11:30 p.m.) for non-SOFA and December 18 (11:30 p.m.) for SOFA runners. Registration is $30 for the 1k and $40 for the 5k. All participants will receive a medal and Santa suit afer the race. For more information, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ adultsports, email adultsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or call 637-1869
When on Okinawa…
…Take Adult Martial Arts Classes
Tere isn’t a more perfect time to give martial arts a try than while stationed on Okinawa— the birthplace of karate. Semper Fit has got you covered with a wide range of martial arts classes for both children and adults!
Te Setkudo Mixed Martial Arts class ofers a blend of kickboxing, muay thai, karate and capoeira, for those looking to dip their toes and try all of these martial arts. For Okinawan-style martial arts, the Shorin Ryu Karate class teaches fast techniques of evasion and atacks to sensitive body points, while the Isshin-ryu Karate class teaches close-in
techniques necessary for self-protection. Te Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class teaches grappling and ground fghting to subdue an opponent without striking them. Te Aiki-jujutsu class (Japanese) teaches how to use an opponent’s strength against them, rather than blocking or stopping them.
For more information on adult martial arts classes, including fees, instructors and class schedules, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ martialarts, call 645-3985 or email fitnesscenters@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Catch, Deflect or Get Wrecked…
…at the Schwab Dodgeball Tournament
Dodgeball—a team sport where players on two teams, armed with rubber balls, try to eliminate opponents by hiting them while avoiding geting hit themselves. For years the sport was mostly played in schools, where the word “dodgeball” caused students to want to either break into grins or hide in the restroom. And while it’s been banned by some U.S. school districts, the sport is alive, well and thriving. In 2017, dodgeball even became an international sport with international governing bodies.
Gather up your team and get ready to defect before you get wrecked at Camp
Schwab’s Dodgeball Tournament on Saturday, January 4 and Sunday, January 5. Tis event is open to everyone island wide, participants must be 16 years or older. Te cost to participate is $125 per team; prospective participants must register via Eventbrite before December 30. Awards will be given out to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.
For more information on the Schwab Dodgeball Tournament, visit www.okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/adultsports, email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 645-2654
Te combined Commanding General’s (CG) and Camp Commander’s (CC) Cup Programs are aimed at providing an opportunity for Marines and Sailors to participate in all types of sports and competitive activities to enhance both morale and ftness—including fag football!
If you’re an active-duty Marine or Sailor stationed on Camps Kinser, Foster or MCAS Futenma, and are into fag football, rejoice! Te Southern CC Cup Flag Football Tournament will take place on Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12 at the Camp Kinser Athletic Field. Awards will be given to 1st and 2nd place teams. Register via Eventbrite by Monday, January 6 at 1 p.m.
Tis is a FREE event for Marines and Sailors looking to compete against their fellow comrade-inarms in a friendly intramural sports program. What are you waiting for?
Sign up your crew today! For more information on the Southern CC Cup Flag Football Tournament, visit www. okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports, email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs. org or call 637-1869
Hot Cocoa & Jams
Cookies, Crafts and Christmas Carols
Tere’s something about the holiday season that warms the heart— whether it’s scrumptious foods, the festive twinkling of lights, gathering with family and friends around a Christmas tree or everything in between. Make this season extra special and bring the whole family down to any MCCS Library for Hot Cocoa & Jams, a Your Home for the Holidays event. Enjoy a Christmas wonderland ambience elevated with holiday music, hot cocoa and gingerbread cookie decorating. Tere’s nothing quite like Christmas carols in the month of December that will have you fa-la-la-loving with the holiday spirit. Te III MEF Band will be playing live music at Camp Foster and the Kadena High School Band will be playing live music at Camp Hansen (performances can be subject to change) to bring the true feeling of holiday cheer.
Hot Cocoa & Jams will take place at the Foster Library on December 4 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., the Courtney Library on December 13
from noon to 1 p.m., the Futenma Library on December 16 from noon to 1 p.m., the Hansen Library on December 18 from 11 a.m. to noon, the Schwab Library on December 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. and the Kinser Library on December 20 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Sip on the holiday’s ofcial drink while you get crafy and listen to the seasonal sounds of winter as MCCS Libraries provide a cozy, atmospheric holiday feeling for anyone and everyone who might be missing seasonal festivities back home.
For more information on Hot Cocoa & Jams and more upcoming library events, email libraryprogram@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org, call 6456055/098-970-6055 or visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/libraries. For a complete list of 2024–2025 Your Home for the Holidays events, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/holidays.
Music, Laughter and Holiday Cheer
Home for the Holidays Karaoke Night
Beat the holiday blues with MCCS Your Home for the Holidays! Join us for an evening of music, laughter and holiday cheer at Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma on Friday, December 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. Don your favorite holiday atire—be it an ugly sweater or that sequined dress you bring out once a year and get ready for a night full of joy and entertainment. Whether you’re a seasoned performer, or a star in the shower, there will be something for everyone at Home for the Holidays Karaoke Night!
Let your inner performer shine while you show of your vocal skills on stage with your favorite holiday tune or classic hit. Come
prepared to have your knowledge of holiday traditions, music and fun facts put to the test—great prizes await! Tere will also be a special drawing for the frst 20 people to sign up, door prizes and giveaways sprinkled throughout the night. Enjoy light refreshments and snacks while you socialize and wait to sing your heart out.
Tis event is FREE and open to SOFA personnel ages 20 or older. Want to make sure you’re entered in the drawing? Be sure to pre-register for the event via Eventbrite! For more information on this and other Your Home for the Holidays events by location, visit www. okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/holidays.
Healthy Relationships
Start Here
Within My Reach Workshop
Looking to improve connections with family, friends, a current or future partner? Join the Behavioral Health Family Advocacy Program for the interactive 6-week “Within My Reach” workshop. Tis workshop will take place 8:30–11 a.m. on Wednesdays, from January 8 through February 12, in the Southern Breeze Conference Room inside Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. Within My Reach will provide valuable resources for atendees to develop interpersonal skills as well as cultivate strong and meaningful relationships.
Sessions will focus on various essential topics, including distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationships, seting and maintaining boundaries and mastering intentional decision-making. Various communication styles will be explored to help participants understand how to express themselves efectively and how to listen with empathy.
Tis workshop is open to SOFA personnel, 18 years and older. Participants are welcome to atend individually or with a partner— being in a relationship is not a requirement to atend. Te goal of this workshop is to create a supportive environment for shared learning and growth through engaging activities and discussions as well as providing practical tools to navigate relationships with confdence.
By the end of the workshop, not only will participants have a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationship dynamics, but it will also provide a toolkit of strategies to foster healthier connections in all areas of their lives. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your personal development and build the skills necessary for nurturing fulflling relationships. Register via Eventbrite or by emailing fapprevention@usmc.mil and take the frst step toward stronger, more meaningful connections!
For more information on the Within My Reach workshop, call 645-2915 or visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/fap
Holiday Gift Wrapping Extravaganza
Wrap & Yap
You’ve purchased everyone’s presents regardless of whether they’re on your naughty or nice list…and now you’ve got the daunting task of turning wrapping paper into a beautiful covering for gifs. Ah, such a mundane (but exceptionally necessary) duty as the joy of ripping gifs open is a Christmas tradition that is always cherished.
Instead of spending hours at home working on perfect creases and the cutest bows by yourself, come on down to the Holiday Gif Wrapping Extravaganza on December 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Camp McTureous Community Center. Tis event ofers the community the perfect opportunity to mingle, spread holiday cheer and check of an incredibly boring chore by ofering a fun and relaxed environment to wrap up those gifs.
Tere’ll be more than just gif wrapping as participants are invited to sip on warm apple cider and snack on light refreshments while socializing with friends. On top of enjoying holiday drinks and delicious nibbles, exciting activities will also be available such as a Festive Sweater contest, Most Creative Gif Wrap competition, interactive games, a festive rafe drawing where participants can win fun holiday prizes and much, much more. Tis event is FREE and open to SOFA status personnel. Pencil in the date because you surely don’t want to miss out on this yapping and gif-wrapping party that’ll turn your most hated seasonal task into the memory of a lifetime!
For more information, call 645-3689 or email questions to MCFTBokinawa@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Impaired Driving Simulator Experience
Understand Alcohol’s Effect
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to get carried away in conversations, camaraderie and consuming alcohol. Driving under the infuence has serious consequences that can bring on life-altering situations including chronic disease, kidney failure, car accidents, losing your job and even death.
Te month of December is designated as Impaired Driving Prevention Month and that’s why the Single Marine Program (SMP) is teaming up with Behavioral Health Substance Prevention to host an Impaired Driving Simulator Experience at the Single
Marine Program (Bldg. 1220) on Camp Kinser on December 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SMP hopes to shed light on the dangers of impaired driving through enhanced awareness and encouraging responsible behavior when alcohol is involved. Tis event aims to promote awareness, prevention of impaired driving and foster a culture of safety within the military community.
For more information, contact SMP at 645-0396/098-970-0396 or visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/smp.
Transition Readiness Program
Bridge the Gap
Te Transition Readiness Program ofers a comprehensive transition, career and employment program for Marines and their families to improve their lives and enhance mission readiness. Te program’s proactive approach works to formulate efective post-transition employment, education and entrepreneurial goals. A Marine’s decision to either continue their career or separate not only impacts themself, but their entire family. Te Transition Readiness Program understands this is a difcult decision that includes paperwork, hours of preparation and planning for the future, and they are here to help.
Te Transition Readiness Program ofers valuable resources to Marines and their family members. Trough their services, Marines will gain insights into who they are as individuals, be able to make positive life decisions and develop holistic action plans to bridge the gap between where they currently are as Marines and where they want to be when they transition to civilian life.
For more information about the Transition Readiness Program, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/mcfb
Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Remember, Not One Drop!
As the year ends with potlucks, gif exchanges and increased opportunities for alcohol consumption, it’s not surprising that there’s an increase in DUIs and DWIs. Driving while impared can lead to serious consequences ranging from disciplinary action to possibly losing your job; it can also lead to injury and death. Tis not only afects you, but others around you.
Troughout the month of December, MCCS Fitness Centers on Camps Foster, Courtney, Hansen, Schwab and MCAS Futenma will be providing FREE impaired driving prevention awareness information via booths on-site as well as on Facebook to spread awareness about this problem. MCCS Health Promotion, located on Camp Foster, will also be disseminating information about the misuse and abuse of alcohol. Drink responsibly and as you’ve heard—Not One Drop if you’re driving. For more information, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/healthpromotion or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semper ft. For questions, email mccshealthpromotions@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call MCCS Health Promotion at 645-3910
01 : Body Serum
Hair and body care, brushing smooth comb through
02 : Oral Cleaning
Whitens the teeth, prevents bad breath, adhesion of plaque and bacteria.
03 : Ear Moisturizing
Keeping ears clean and preventing dry itch
04 : Face Care
Facial cleansing lotion for burning eyes and drooling
05 : Pad Moisture
Preventing interdict infec tions and moisturizing dry paw pads.
“Odorculus Pet Beauty” is the new world standard for your pet’s health & beauty.
■ Chubu Vet Clinic Tel 098-923-3195
AUTHORIZED DEALER
■ Pet Box Chatan Tel 098-926-1123
Recommended by pet clinic directors and salon managers for countering skin diseases and caring for crusty paw pads. It is odorless, non-irritating, effortlessly removes dirt around the buttocks, and deodorizes.
Our products are based on alkaline ionized water and developed to care for your pet's delicate body parts. They are excellent for cleaning and disinfection and very safe from body to mouth, ears, and face to paw pads, even if your pet licks! All are produced at our own factory using the clean water of Niigata.
Cosplay, Comics and Community
2024 Comic Con Okinawa
Comic Con Okinawa is the island’s premier event for all things comics, cosplay, sci-f, fantasy, manga and gaming hosted annually by MCCS Okinawa. Tis year, Comic Con Okinawa will take place on Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Camp Foster and everyone is invited to join in on this epic celebration in the country where epic anime such as Pokémon and Dragon Ball were born.
Tis year, talented voice actors from popular franchises including Pokémon, Power Rangers, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and many more will make an appearance! Taking the stage will be Rica Matsumoto and Veronica Taylor who played the roles of Satoshi/Ash Ketchum in the Japanese and American version of Pokémon respectively. Keone Young, the prolifc actor you’ve surely seen in one of his
numerous TV and movie appearances will also be there. Tere will also be special efects, comic book and cosplay artists on-hand! Comic Con Okinawa is FREE and open to all DoD ID card holders, American and Japanese citizens island wide. Want more Comic Con? Join us for a special pre-con social at the Gold Pass Exclusive (GPE) event on Saturday, December 7 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and receive early entry as well as priority perks at the main event. For more information on the 2024 Comic Con Okinawa including a complete listing of talent, locations, schedule of events, GPE registration and more, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/comiccon. For updates and additional announcements follow facebook.com/comicconokinawa
Army vs. Navy Big Game Breakfast
Go Navy! Beat Army!
Te frst clash happened on November 29, 1890, with the Navy Midshipmen defeating the Army Black Knights 24–0 Tis budding rivalry between two venerable military academies blossomed into one of the greatest college football rivalries in the U.S., and continues to this day with the Navy Midshipmen leading the series 62–55 with 7 ties. Historically played on the Saturday afer Tanksgiving, the game date was changed to the second Saturday in December in 2009 Tis year’s contest is slated to take place at Northwest Stadium in Washington D.C.
You too can cheer on the Midshipmen at the Butler Ofcers’ Club on Sunday, December 15 during the annual Army vs. Navy football game! Come hungry because an All-American breakfast bufet as well as complimentary tailgate snacks will be available for only $15 for adults, $8 for children 5–11, and FREE for kids under 5. Doors will open at 4 a.m., and the kick-of is scheduled to take place at 5 a.m. Okinawa-time.
For more information on the Army vs Navy Big Game Breakfast, call 645-7530 or visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/boc.
Family Fun Nights
Create Priceless Memories
Tere’s just something about spending time with family that hits a sof spot right in the heart. It's the litle things like chating and laughing together that make even the most mundane moments special. Tis year, create priceless memories with your crew at one of the many Family Fun Nights hosted by an MCCS Club.
For those looking for a chill movie night with festive feelings, Ocean Breeze will be hosting Polar Express Family Fun Night on December 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. Come dressed down in your holiday pajamas to enjoy the movie along with hot cocoa, crafs, cookies, a holiday bufet and a train ride to the North Pole. If a movie night isn’t quite how you’d like to spend the evening, Ocean Breeze is also hosting a Holiday Cookie Decorating Family Fun Night on December 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. Tere will be a special dinner bufet, holiday music and a chance for the litle ones to decorate a sweet treat for Santa.
If you missed the Polar Express at Ocean Breeze, don’t worry as it’ll be making another stop at Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney on December 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. Don your favorite holiday jammies for a festive evening of fun with cookies, hot cocoa, crafs and a delicious bufet.
Looking to capture your kiddos with Santa? Come on down to Kinser Surfside also on December 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. for Winter Family Fun Night with Santa where you and your family can take photos with the jolly ole’ man himself, build a snowman, paint Elsa and more!
All Family Fun Nights are $12.95 for adults, $6 95 for children ages 5-11 and FREE for children under 5
For more information about these oferings and other upcoming events, visit www.okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/clubs.
Merry & Bright!
Christmas Day Buffets at the Clubs
Christmas is that most wonderful time of year when we spend hours shopping, decorating and gif wrapping for our friends and family. Instead of adding cooking and dishwashing to the top of this stack of duties, how about gathering around the table and celebrating a relaxing Christmas meal on December 25 at an MCCS Club or Restaurant on December 25 instead?
For brunch options, choose from Te Palms on Camp Hansen, Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney or the Butler Ofcers’ Club in Plaza Housing Area. Te Palms will begin brunch at 11 a.m. and serve it all the way to 4 p.m. To reserve a table, call 623-4375. For an earlier start, Tengan Castle and the Butler Ofcers’ Club will open their doors at 10 a.m. and serve delicious holiday cuisine until 3 p.m. Reservations are required via Eventbrite for Surfside, Tengan Castle and the Butler Ofcers’ Club. For more information on Tengan Castle’s oferings, call 622-9413 and for more on the Butler Ofcers’ Club Christmas brunch, call 645-7530
For those wanting an evening meal, Camp Schwab will be hosting a Christmas dinner bufet at BeachHead from 4 to 8 p.m. For reservations, call 625-2053. In addition, Camp Kinser will also be serving a delicious dinner bufet from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Surfside.
Bufets at all MCCS Clubs and Restaurants are $21 95 for adults, $10 95 for children ages 5-11 and FREE for children under 5
For those preferring an à la carte menu, Taiyo Steakhouse will ofer brunch from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. and dinner will be served from 6 to 9 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended for lunch and are required for dinner. To book a table, call 622-2020
For more information on Christmas Day bufets at MCCS Clubs and Restaurants island wide, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/clubs
LOCATION
224-17 Senaha, Yomitan, Okinawa 904-0325
HOURS OF OPERATION
Open Daily
10 a.m.–7 p.m. (L.O. 6 p.m.)
PHONE NUMBER 098-923-3870
WEBSITE www.birthorganics.com
Near the sleepy Senaha coast of Yomitan Village, BIRTHCAFE serves up conscientious plates of food that are as good for patrons as they are for Mother Earth. With dietary inclusivity in mind, the café ofers clean, healthy eating with various gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.
Here, guests can dine without the stress of worrying what’s really in their meal as the menu features food symbols for plant-based items as well as allergens. Modifcations can easily be arranged as BIRTHCAFE is happy to accommodate all of your dietary needs.
Finding a burger that doesn’t have gluten on island is quite difcult due to bread being the bulk of a burger, and that’s why the Rice Flour Wafe Burger at BIRTHCAFE is the perfect gluten-free option. Te wafe bater is made in-house with a blend of rice, almond and oat four, lightly sweetened with agave syrup. For the pat y, tempeh, soy taco and smoked salmon are the proteins of choice, with the option of making the meal vegan. All burgers come with a side salad and potato chips. While it may not be a traditional burger, it’s downright delicious with the combination of the slightly sweet bun and savory protein creating a balanced bite free from glutenrelated worry.
Teir Buddha Bowls are a hearty entrée flled with crisp letuce, creamy cubes of perfectly ripe avocado, sof potatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, onions and julienned pickled carrots all garnished with nuts, your choice of protein and dressing as it sits atop a bed of organic sprouted brown rice. Te best part about the bowls is selecting your dressing—the atention to detail BIRTHCAFE instills when making their signature dressings generates a velvety, full-bodied and thick sauce which perfectly adheres to the veggies.
Choose from one of their four plant-based, dairy-free, sugar-free, additive-free and oh-so-scrumptious homemade dressings including Carrot, a modern take on the soy-sauce based Wafū (Japanese style) dressing, a Caesar dressing thickened with cashew nuts sans anchovies, a Sesame
Peanut and a rich Sesame that is a lighter spin on goma dressing. Te Sesame Peanut dressing is creamy, nuty and intense and was specifcally formulated for their Noodle Salad—an entrée made with cold noodles, crisp veggies, choice of protein and dressing.
For those on the hunt for nutritious and delicious vegan bowls, the Soy Taco Meat Buddha Bowl does wonders for pleasing your palate. Colorful and fresh, this bowl is nutrient-dense, f lling and satisfying. Te soy taco meat is comprised not only of soy four, but also walnuts that add a depth of texture, as it is perfectly seasoned with familiar Mexican spices like comforting cumin. BIRTHCAFE’s soy meat is tender and emulates real ground meat with a hearty bite.
As a chaser, choose from one of their smoothies, which are all vegan utilizing soy milk. Teir best seller is the Green Smoothie, and for good reason—it’s a powerhouse of replenishment blended with superfoods like celery and ginger producing a zesty bold, earthy favor that is equally nutritious and divine.
Te café also switches up the menu with seasonal items. During May, the menu transitions to summertime, ofering crafed cola and zenzai (Japanese shaved ice). In November, the menu shifs to winter fare, ofering warm dishes such as their velvety vegan homemade pumpkin soup made with kabocha and soy milk to combat the chilly temperatures of the season.
A fer your meal at BIRTHCAFE, stop by LOVE ORGANICS—an organic health store adjacent to the café that carries over 1,000 items including domestic and imported goods. Teir products range from organic wines to specialty frozen foods, organic fresh vegetables and fruits to bulk grains, nuts and freshly ground peanut buter, outdoor bug repellents and everything in between.
BIRTHCAFE is not just for vegans, vegetarians or gluten-free folks on island, as there’s a meal for everyone no mater your dietary restrictions or preferences. Here, you can eat the rainbow while helping planet earth and your gut be a litle more green!
Text by: Swetha Gogue | Photography by: Mia Cox | Translation by: Aimee Tamashiro
Dolphin Swim Team Tryouts
Develop a Lifelong Passion
While it’s true that taking your litle one for a dip in the pool is a great way to de-stress and exercise, why not help turn their love for swimming into a lifelong passion by trying out for the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST). Who knows, they may be a budding 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte or 9-time Olympic gold medalist and 21-time world champion Katie Ledecky in the making! Youth Swim Team Tryouts for the spring season are sloted for December 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Camp Hansen Aquatic Center, so mark your calendars! Tryouts are for swimmers ages seven or older who have not been part of previous ODST seasons.
Baby Boot Camp
Participants can expect to swim three competitive strokes for the tryout itself: the frst swim is a 25m buterfy, followed by a 25m backstroke and a 25m breaststroke. Te fnal swim is a 50m freestyle (front crawl). A brief rest between the two 25m swims is permited (must be less than 20 seconds). Besides the short rest, each swim must be non-stop with swimmers displaying proper breathing and stroke techniques. Te tryouts take approximately 5–10 minutes, and parental interaction is discouraged.
If you have any questions about ODST’s upcoming tryouts, please call 645-2787 or email mccsaquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
They’re called “Bundles of Joy” for a Reason!
Preparing for a new baby is a time flled with both excitement and uncertainty. Friends and family are there to help, of course, with advice based on their own experiences, but a chance to sit down with professionals and to get some hands-on practical training on day-to-day life with a newborn is priceless.
Enter the New Parent Support Program and their Baby Boot Camp class. Recommended for expecting parents to take in their third trimester and taught by the program’s expert team of counselors and nurses, Baby Boot Camp provides helpful information both through discussion and actual practice in order to prepare for the arrival of their baby through the frst few months afer delivery. Once a month from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Behavioral Health Multipurpose Room on Camp Foster, parents will learn about the basics of newborn care, infant safety and development, self-care for parents and community resources
that are readily available. Tey will also get practice changing diapers, bathing and dressing a newborn and specifc information on what to expect when giving birth on Okinawa.
Starting in January, the New Parent Support Program will also ofer Baby Boot Camp in Japanese. Scheduled for January 24, April 29, July 22 and October 17 on Camp Foster from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., this class will include the same materials as the English version but will include Japanese translation throughout.
In addition to Baby Boot Camp, the New Parent Support Program also ofers Parents in Uniform each month from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and Infant Massage on Tursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. over the course of four sessions. On Camp Courtney, parents can join Play Mornings on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For more information about the New Parent Support Program, please email npspokinawa@usmc.mil.
Holiday Storytimes
With MCCS Libraries
Ah, fnally, the most wonderful time of the year has arrived when friends and family gather ‘round the open fre roasting chestnuts, tables are laden with a holiday feast and Christmas carols are pumping out of the speakers. But are you missing holiday stories that elevate the mood? Well, the libraries on Camps Kinser, Foster and Courtney are hosting Holiday Storytimes, an annual event where holiday-themed stories, songs and crafs fll the agenda. To set the mood further, dress up in your coziest pajamas!
Kinser Library kickstarts their event on December 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Foster Library on December 18, from 10 to 11 a.m. and the Courtney Library fnishes of on December 20, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
For more information on Holiday Storytimes and other MCCS Library oferings, email libraryprogram@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org, call 645-6055/098970-6055 or visit www.okinawa.usmcmccs.org/libraries.
Foster Library
(Taylor’s Version)
Te Foster Library cordially invites you to celebrate Taylor Swif ’s birthday on Friday, December 13 from 4 to 5 p.m. Get ready to “Shake It Of ” for an hour f lled with music, creativity and fun—where books meet community—alongside Swifies of all ages!
No Taylor Swift party is complete without guests showcasing their favorite era. Whether you’re channeling the edgy spirit of Reputation, the glamour of 1989 , or the nostalgia of Folklore —we want to see how you interpret your favorite era through fashion!
The sweet sounds of Taylor’s greatest hits will be playing throughout the library, setting the mood for dancing and sing-alongs. There will be light refreshments, karaoke for those Fearless enough to show off their vocal skills, trivia, a friendship bracelet-making station and a photo booth. Of course, no birthday party is complete without a delicious cake! Gather your Swiftie friends and join us as we celebrate Mother’s birthday with crafts, stories, laughter and all things T-Swift.
Tis is the perfect chance to connect with fellow fans, make new friends, express your creativity and celebrate the magic of music. For more information on the Foster Library (Taylor’s Version) party and other MCCS Library oferings, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/libraries, call 645- 7178 or email foster.library@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. For updates and additional announcements, follow facebook. com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries.
Strike Out Stress
Youth and Teens Bowling Workshop
Stress can be a burden on one’s emotional or mental well-being created by demands on one’s time, according to Merriam Webster ; it can stem from various external and internal situations such as juggling projects or negative inner dialogue. There are many ways to manage the feelings of stress, including tools such as exercising, journaling and self-reflection.
Marine Corps Family Team Building (MCFTB) is excited to offer Strike Out Stress, a bi-monthly workshop aimed at enhancing the well-being of military youths and teens ages 12 – 18, with separate classes available for youths and teens by age range. The workshop will rotate between the Camp Foster Bowling Center and the Camp Courtney Bowling Center on Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Participants will gain valuable practical life skills while engaging in bowling activities that foster a fun and educational experience. Youths and teens will learn stress management techniques, improve communication and confict resolution skills, build emotional resilience as well as learn how to be a team player in a collaborative teamworking environment.
Bowling serves as a great outlet for both competition and camaraderie, allowing teens to bond while enjoying the classic pastime of striking up pins. Strike Out Stress aims to equip participants with the confdence and strategies they need to navigate the challenges of adolescence into adult life.
Tis event is FREE with registration required via Eventbrite. For more information, call 645-3689 or email questions to mcfbokinawa@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Typhoon Motors Holiday Sales
You’ll Fa-La-La in Love with these Specials
Te good thing about winter on Okinawa is that we don’t have to spend hours shoveling snow from our driveways, scraping ice of our windshields and girding our tires with snow chains. But a malfunctioning ride isn’t the way you want to pull up to the holiday party!
We’ve got great news for you...good tidings are here as Typhoon Motors locations on Camps Kinser, Courtney and Hansen are gifing you and your ride with various specials throughout the month of December—beginning with the miracle of the 12 Days of Christmas Specials running from December 23 through January 3.
Give yourself the present of replacing that annoying gear shock that has been causing
your car to bounce as you drive. How about that pesky lightbulb that desperately needs to be changed? You can f x your ride and more with a full set of luxurious tools by taking advantage of Typhoon Motors $1 Lif and Stall rentals! Rejoice about saving more money for presents while you work in the comfort of a hobby shop and spend some quality time with your ride.
Dash on over to any MCCS Typhoon Motors and get your vehicle inspected afer a busy year of rockin’ around the island to ensure your car is safe and reliable. Take advantage of their Safety Special, ofering 10% OFF all brake service and repairs, and give thanks to your sleigh ride for delivering you and your family safely home every day.
Nothing beats a drive to see the neighborhood light displays to the tune of your favorite holiday playlist. But there’s nothing more infuriating than when the radio is relaying static or when all you have working is a frontlef tweeter. Head over to Kinser Typhoon Motors anytime this month to take advantage of their Kenwood Car Audio Christmas Sale, ofering 15% OFF audio goods, to improve your in-car music experience.
But wait, there’s more! All Typhoon Motors locations will also be ofering savings of up to 50% OFF select automotive goods all month long. For more information on these holiday specials and other Typhoon Motors oferings, visit www.okinawa.usmcmccs.org/typhoonmotors.
Christmas Concert 2024
Friday, December 13, 2024 (16:00～19:00) Free Concert
Location: Parking lot in front of the Music School (Camp Foster, Bldg #5949)
Enjoy lively performances from both our students and instructors at this free concert event. All are welcome, and please invite your family and friends for some musical Christmas cheer. Weʼre looking forward to seeing you there!
Thank you and Happy Holidays from Music School
Looking for a Last-Minute Gift?
Give them the Gift of Okinawa!
How many times have you seen or experienced something on island that made you immediately think of someone you love? Instantly, you think to yourself, “Gosh, they’d really get a kick out of that.” Sure, you’ll tell them the story or DM a few photos you snapped, but that will only leave them with a faint memory of your conversation and a tiny image on their phone. Why not give them the closest thing to actually being here with you—their own copy of Omoide: Memories of Okinawa or Te Best of Okinawa Living?
Omoide: Memories of Okinawa is flled with the most spectacular island views any camera lens could capture. It’s perfect for reminiscing about favorite places and beautiful scenes you’ve witnessed during your time on island. If it’s insights about the island, historical tidbits and local artists’ perspectives you’re looking for, look no further than Te Best of
We Want You!
Join the MCCS Team
MCCS ofers a variety of challenging, career -building opportunities with a priority on hiring qualifed family members of active-duty military and civilian employees stationed on Okinawa. Jobs are available in entertainment, food & hospitality, sports, accounting, marketing, wellness, child development, maintenance, IT, counseling and much, much more. In addition to career building, MCCS also provides many benefts for employees. On top of medical and dental insurance, options such as a NAF Pension Plan, 401(k) with employer matching, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Tuition Assistance Program (which provides up to $10,000 per year for certifcations
Okinawa Living, which shares comprehensive prose along with photos and is in its fnal printing—so the current stock is your last chance to pick up a copy.
With both books, sharing Okinawa is one of the best gifs you can give—especially when you’re already on the hunt for a special gif for family back home. Did any of the times you were out and about remind you of your mom and dad? Tink about how happy they would be to see (and learn more about) your gorgeous home-away-from-home. Now you have a gif they’re sure to appreciate.
So, go ahead, add one or both to your gif list and then complete your shopping at almost any Exchange retail facility on island that sells books. For more information on The Best of Okinawa Living and Omoide: Memories of Okinawa , visit www.okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/publications .
It May be Junk to You…
A wise person once said “waste not, want not…” However, try as we might, we always somehow seem to end up with stuf that we really don’t need (and some items we can’t even remember buying such as that exercise bike now being used as a clothes rack). Te best answer isn’t busting your gut hauling it to the curb as garbage; turn your unwanted items into cash at an MCCS Flea Market!
Whether you’re interested in turning some of your belongings into cash, or you’re a gluton for punishment shopping for more new-to-you items, here’s what to know: MCCS Flea Markets on Camp Foster are held from noon to 3 p.m. and on Camp Courtney from 7 to 10 a.m. on alternating weekends (except the ffh weekend of the month). Booths for sellers are available to SOFA-status personnel island-wide and are granted on a frst-come, frst-served basis. To reserve a booth, arrive on-site an hour early and pay the $15 cash fee. SOFA and non-SOFA shoppers are welcome, so sellers should plan to make change in both dollars and yen.
and college degrees up to a graduate level) are also available to advance your career while stationed on island. And, that’s not all—a Leave Donation Program, the Family Friendly Leave Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Employee Assistance Program and many more policies are in place for qualifed MCCS employees, as well.
To start your job search, head to www. okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/jobs or keep up with the weekly “hot jobs” announcements sent directly to your inbox when you subscribe to our newsleter (www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/newsleter). For more information on becoming a member of the MCCS team, call 645-3052
Aside from fnding your next treasure or going home to a cleaner closet, fea markets help reduce trash, which is great—especially since an estimated ¥10 billion is spent on waste disposal on Okinawa each year. For the full schedule of upcoming dates, maps to locations, rules and requirements, visit www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/feamarket. For more information, call MCCS Special Events at 645-5829
Since emerging from our innate hunter-gatherer era, we’ve honed our skills foraging plants, slicing up meat and sharing the workload of cooking up a storm. Hot Pot or Huǒ Guō (Fire Pot in Chinese) can be traced back thousands of years to the Shang and Zhou dynasties in China—birthed due to the communal efort of cooking meats, seafood, veggies, dumplings and noodles in a roaring hot vessel.
Historically, hot pot was a popular winter dish served in a bronze pot called ran lu bubbling over open-air charcoal. Eventually the basin’s material transitioned to copper, known for its health properties infusing minerals into the dish, its antibacterial
qualities as well as its excellent thermal conduction and heat retention. Nowadays, it is common to see hot pot served 365 days a year in an aluminum or stainlesssteel bowl divided in the middle, allowing two diferent broths (usually one spicy, one mild) to be served at the same time as well as in clay earthenware.
In Japan, hot pot is called naberyori, or simply nabe (pot) and is a staple in winter cuisine—especially in cold climates. Traditionally enjoyed at home with family, naberyori epitomizes togetherness as the whole family enjoys their meal from a single nabe. However, various forms can also be enjoyed at restaurants as well.
A variation of nabe, the word shabu-shabu is derived from the Japanese onomatopoeia translating to “swish-swish” referring to the motion and sound of the meat being whirled around as it cooks. Shabu-shabu is typically arranged with thin slices of pork or seafood, yuba (tofu skin), harusame (glass noodles) and quick-cooking vegetables such as hakusai (napa cabbage) and enoki mushrooms in a lightly favored konbu dashi (kelp broth).
Te rule of thumb for shabu-shabu is to put the vegetables frst, swirl a slice of meat in the rumbling broth until cooked and then dip it in a dressing, typically goma (sesame seed dressing) or ponzu (citrus-soy based dressing) to elevate the favors. One thing to keep in mind is to not keep the meat in too long to avoid overcooking, which reduces the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness feel.
Another form of nabe is sukiyaki. Commonly made using thinly sliced beef, various mushrooms like shiitake, tofu, onions and chewy udon noodles, sukiyaki uses a simple sweet-soy-based broth to simmer its ingredients. Unlike shabu-shabu where individuals place their ingredients in the pot one by one, sukiyaki is pre-made in the sense that all elements come in a bowl and then placed over low fame.
Restaurants that serve shabu-shabu typically serve sukiyaki, although sukiyaki has a more intense favor in comparison. If you’re feeling real adventurous, do as the locals do and dip your delicious contents into a bowl of raw egg and experience how it transforms into a luxurious, silky bite. Sukiyaki is ofentimes eaten at bōnenkai (end-of-the-year parties), where people gather to eat, drink and let go of the past year’s stresses, in order to start the new year with renewed motivation.
We recommend Shabu-Shabu Miyama at AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom, which ofers both a set menu of meat or an all-you-can-eat meat selection alongside a veggie bufet for both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu so you can arrange your pot just how you like it!
One of the most iconic wintertime foods in Japan, oden is known for its simplicity, afordability and variety of ingredients. Ofen enjoyed during the colder months, oden consists of a wide range of meatballs, diferent types of fried tofu, daikon, hard boiled eggs and assorted fsh cakes stewed in a light, soy-favored dashi broth. Te name oden originates from the dish miso dengaku; dengaku comes from the skewered tofu’s shape, which resembles the 14th century Japanese courtly dances performed when planting and harvesting rice.
Although the broth used in oden has a mild favor profle, its condiments yuzu koshō (yuzu peel, salt and chili-fermented) and karashi (horseradish) are far from that. Yuzu koshō adds an essence of brightness to the dish with notes of citrus, while karashi packs quite the punch with its natural spiciness similar to that of wasabi—be warned, a litle yellow dab is enough as it is incredibly peppery, pungent and slightly biter. Whether oden is bubbling over household stoves, street food carts, izakaya or a konbini, it will surely nourish you from within. To try out oden, we recommend a quick stop at your favorite convenience store.
Another variation of hot pot that has spread across Asia is jjigae, a Korean stew favored with a variety of seasoning pastes or sauces including gochujang (red chili paste), doenjang (soybean paste), ganjang (soy sauce) or saeu-jeot (salted and fermented shrimp). Te dish comes with meat—typically pork, shrimp, sausage and spam, sof tofu, zucchini, onions and mushrooms, served in a thick, sizzling hot Korean earthenware bowl called tukbaegi Te favors of jjigae pairs well with white rice and the many fermented or pickled banchan (Korean side dishes).
Because of the size of the large serving pot, jjigae is commonly shared, fostering a communal dining experience. Kimchi jjigae is one of the most popular communal dishes that the country is known for as families and friends gather around the tukbaegi and pick up delicious morsels with their metal chopsticks. Ofentimes the bowl of jjigae is topped of with teok (rice cakes), white rice or a good ole’ block of packaged ramyeon (ramen noodles).
For an authentic bowl of jjigae, Sundub Dubidub on Route 58 will not disappoint, as they use prefectural and domestic vegetables in their special soup base alongside banchan and rice served in a hot bowl!
SuNdUb DuBiDuB
Tis beloved dish has globally expanded across countries bringing together the primitive joy of cooking with each other over open fames fueling conversations and camaraderie. Hot pot is a fun, interactive experience where everyone is a key player, whether it be contributing to eating, cooking or setting up the table; making a one pot meal not only saves time because all the ingredients are cooking together, it also makes
Now that you’ve learned all about how delicious and comforting hot pot is, here are some etiquette tips to keep in mind before commencing the feast.
Look for signs of the soup bubbling on its own as it is a good indication of when to start loading up your vessel.
If it’s hot enough to cook your food, it’s hot enough to melt plastics…and you don’t want something inorganic leaving you with stomach pain.
Eliminate the chances of cross contamination by avoiding using your own personal utensils.
Remove the excess layer of semi-solid residue that rises atop to reveal a cleaner taste and broth.
Tere will be a lot of food, consuming too quickly can upset your stomach and possibly cut the meal short.
Eating too many carbs will leave you getting satisfied too soon and you’ll miss out on the savory meats and vegetables.
It’s a communal dining experience and there’s always more to come, plus it makes everyone a happy camper.
cleaning that much easier. With the upcoming season bringing cooler temperatures and chilly winds to Okinawa, a bountiful bowl consisting of piping hot broth, tender meats, seasonal veggies and chewy noodles enjoyed with the ones you love and cherish is the perfect way to bring back some warmth into everyone’s bodies, hearts and souls.
Ichigo Daifuku
(Strawberry Mochi Treats)
Daifuku are tasty morsels of rice dough filled with a sweet bean paste called anko in the middle. Strawberries (which reappear at local grocery stores in December) are a popular addition to this treat—making them a unique (and surprisingly healthy) dessert.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups mochiko (rice flour)
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups of anko (sweet red bean paste available in cans at local grocery stores)
1 dozen small to medium strawberries, washed and stemmed
1 cup katakuriko (potato starch)
Method of Preparation
1. Mix flour, water and sugar in a pot. After mixing thoroughly, heat on high until mixture boils then reduce heat to low and cover.
2. After a few minutes, the mixture will begin to thicken rapidly. Stir thoroughly (every minute or so) until the mixture becomes tacky. Remove from heat and leave uncovered to cool.
3. As the mixture is very sticky, thoroughly coat the surface of a medium-sized cookie sheet or baking pan that you will be working on with potato starch.
Kagami-Biraki
Although many in Japan enjoy eating rice cakes called mochi throughout the year, the beginning of January is the time when it is consumed the most. During New Year’s, many Japanese prominently display kagami-mochi (“mirror-rice cake”) in their homes. Tis traditional decoration is made with two diferent sized rice cakes stacked on top of each other with an orange on top—sort of like a yukidaruma (Japanese snowman) with an orange head. Te 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.
Te 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. Te pieces of mochi were then eaten, ofen in a red bean soup. Nowadays, kagami-mochi are ofen vinyl-coated facsimiles, because
Uchinâguchi Corner
English Would you like to dance with me?
4. Using a wooden spoon coated with starch, dole out golf ball-sized portions and set them individually on the pan. This will help them cool faster.
5. Smear anko all over strawberries.
6. When the dough is cool enough to touch, coat your fingers generously with flour and then work the dough balls into flat circles. Place an anko-covered strawberry in the middle, then draw the dough up over the filling and pinch it together so it sticks. Caution: don’t stretch the dough too thin because it will tear.
7. Serve as soon as possible (these treats do not last very well in the refrigerator).
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.
Japanese Isshoni odorimasenka?
Uchinâguchi Majun wuduibiranai
Beating the Holiday Blues
Winter holidays can be flled with busy schedules, parties, shopping and laughter, but they can also be sources of tension and stress. For many stationed overseas, the holidays mean taking time of from regular activities to share good times and good food with their immediate family and friends. For others, the holidays can be a frustrating and anxiety prone period because living thousands of miles away from home is tough this time of year. Being away from familiar sights and sounds coupled with changes in work, family and everyday routines can lead to the holiday blues. Tese blues can come in the form of feelings of loss or sadness tied to the holidays, and some may turn to destructive behavior paterns.
Relationships can cause turmoil, conf ict or stress at any time. However, these tensions can be heightened during the holidays with misunderstandings and
conf icts escalating exponentially. Others facing the holidays without a loved one due to deployment or TDY/TAD may fnd themselves feeling especially lonely or sad.
Finances, like relationships, are also a potential source of stress all-year-long. But overspending during the holidays on gi fs, travel, food and entertainment can increase stress for those trying to make ends meet. Some may fnd themselves in a fnancial spiral that leaves them with symptoms of depression such as hopelessness, sadness and helplessness. In addition, the physical demands of shopping, atending social gatherings and preparing holiday meals can wipe people out. Exhaustion increases stress on top of other stressors, creating a vicious cycle.
To help alleviate holiday stress and chase away these blues, MCCS will once again be ofering many activities to make Okinawa,
mainland Japan, South Korea, Guam and Australia “Your Home for the Holidays.”
Events include activities promoting healthy stress-free living, classes to help alleviate fnancial stress by teaching beter spending habits, FREE athletic tournaments for Marines and Sailors, FREE events and food at SMP Centers throughout the holiday season and much, much more for those stationed on Okinawa, Camp Fuji in mainland Japan, Camp Mujuk in South Korea, on Camp Blaz in Guam and even those deployed to Australia.
Head to www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ holidays for a full listing of 2024-2025 Your Home for the Holidays oferings and take advantage of these FREE events, entertainment and more to make your holiday season merry and bright.
Fun Kart Mini Jeep Tour
Adventure awaits!
Discover Okinawa like never before! Have a fun ride on a Mini-Jeep that guarantees to put a smile on your face.
Scan the QR code for details on the coolest ride in Okinawa.
