Okinawa Living Magazine January 2021

AWAMORI THE PEOPLE AND PROCESS BEHIND THE SPIRIT January 2021 | Issue 275

SAKURA SEASON

contents January 2021

18

8 56 out + about Sakura Season Cherry blossoms explode this season in one of Mother Nature’s most vibrant yet transient displays.

Awamori The People and Process Behind the Spirit Okinawa’s awamori distilleries are much more than just rice liquor manufacturers—they are staples of the community and an integral part of the culture.

features

restaurant review

18

44

MCCS PHOTOS

8

On the cover May 2021, the year of the Ox, bring you new adventures and fond memories.

56

A Sensational New Year New Year’s Traditions in Japan Experience the sights, smells, tastes, textures and sounds of New Year’s traditions in Japan.

Tengan Castle Menu Revamp New Year, New Menu MCCS Okinawa has made a New Year’s resolution to win all of the 2021 Food and Hospitality Excellence Awards with their menu makeovers island-wide, including Tengan Castle’s new and delicious offerings.

contents January 2021

dining + entertainment 43 Resolutions Have Never Tasted Better MCCS Restaurants have plenty of healthy food options that are tasty enough to make adhering to your resolutions a low-fat, lowsugar piece of cake.

kids + parents 47 MCCS Libraries’ Innovation Labs Test your creative limits and let your imagination run wild at the Innovation Labs.

49 It Takes a Village The MCCS New Parent Support Program is here to help take the anxiety out of pregnancy, birth and baby care.

services 51 Party Supplies at Courtney Arts and Crafts Just because get-togethers have stricter capacities these days doesn’t mean a happy occasion can’t be celebrated like it should.

53

37

Sales to Keep You Safe Roll into the New Year in a ride you can trust with Typhoon Motors’ January sales.

extras fitness + fun

marines + families

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37

Team Up with Dolphins Youths are invited to start 2021 on the right kick by joining the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team.

Lanterns and Tangerines Take a trip to the Ryukyu Lantern Festival or pick tangerines in northern Okinawa with your family this month with Tours+.

33 Flag on the Play Official verdict is...football rules! The Southern Camp Commander’s Cup Flag Football Tournament kicks off later this month.

35

MCCS PHOTO

Winter Skins Weekend Make your golf tournament debut in this newbie-friendly competition.

39 Home Buying Workshop When dreams of owning a home meet reality, things don’t always go as planned. But with Personal Financial Management Program’s Home Buying Workshop, becoming an educated home buyer just got easier.

5 Mensôre

7 Feedback & Show Us!

69 Living on Okinawa

70 Marketplace Guide

JANUARY 2021 | ISSUE 275 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, Rebecca Lambertsen DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHERS Hillary Taylor, Kailey LaValliere EDITORIAL Alex Jusell, Angie Andrews DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Kathlene Millette, Lillion Hunt Hamilton, 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

Happy New Year As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, many will still reach for party poppers and glasses filled with Champagne. However, as we celebrate the end of 2020 and welcome the New Year, instead of a boisterous 10-second countdown and a half-shouted rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” let’s all take a quiet moment to reflect on the year that has passed and explore the coming year’s potential.

For many on Okinawa and in Japan the New Year is greeted with solemn silence.

New Year’s is a time for quiet reflection and subdued celebration with the family, and this year, millions around the world will join them in this form of celebration.

Learn more about Japanese and Okinawan New Year’s traditions by turning to “A Sensational New Year” on p. 18. Rounding out this month’s lineup is a treatise on the Okinawan spirit—“Awamori: The People and Process Behind the Spirit” on p. 56—and a guide to viewing the blooming cherry blossoms during “Sakura Season” on p. 8.

Before New Year’s in Japan and on Okinawa, many people thoroughly clean their homes and offices, buy new clothes and attempt to clear all debts before the year’s end. These and other chores are completed to give people a sense of “starting clean” and welcoming the New Year with an unpolluted spirit.

We here at Okinawa Living Magazine hope that your 2021 is a year of renewal—a clean slate on which you can scribe many new happy memories exploring this beautiful island with family and friends.

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

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

Mike Daley Editor-In-Chief

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

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

Okinawa Living Magazine is printed with

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

feedback

from the ICE Program and Facebook

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

I am assigned to MCAS Futenma and only occasionally visit Camp Schwab (to give unit briefs, etc.). And every time, I am blown away by how neatly organized, well-stocked and visually pleasing the library at Camp Schwab is. The staff members are also extremely friendly and helpful, and are an outstanding representation not only of P&PD, but MCCS as a whole!

Kudos to the library.

—via ICE Tony at the Camp Courtney Tsunami Scuba provided excellent advice and feedback on equipment and best practices for scuba diving. He has been the most knowledgeable and engaged dive shop representative that I’ve seen from Torii, Kadena and Camp Foster.

@thespiritedwife

o k i n a w a • Typhoon ready! AGAIN. That makes three just in the past couple weeks. Whew. Let’s do this thing! And then pretty please boogie on out so we can enjoy the holiday weekend.

Please and arigato. #okilivingmag

—via ICE I come to the Kinser Gym very frequently, and today I noticed that the stands that I use to reach the pull-up bar were not inside. I asked the employee (a male that said he was the manager) where they were and he told me that they had been taken outside. I asked if I could bring one inside so that I could do my weighted pull-ups and that I would wipe it down and bring it back outside. But, he told me that I wouldn’t be allowed to do that because upper management said

@growingupinokinawa

it wasn’t allowed. It makes no sense in my head as to

We wandered through the pretty little village of Bise, known for it’s fukugi treelined streets as the sun went down. We had walked all day, little legs were tired, but it was just so beautiful we didn’t want to leave. #okilivingmag

why I couldn’t bring the stand inside, if I’m willing to wipe it down. It makes no sense that I had to climb the machine to do my pull-ups in an unsafe manner because management does not want to have common sense. And, don’t tell me it’s because of COVID because I said I’d wipe the equipment down and put it back outside. It feels like the management isn’t concerned with our needs and just wants to make up rules to hinder us from getting a good workout in. And they definitely don’t care about our safety if they are willing to let me climb this machine the way that I did just to do a few pull-ups. The gear is sitting outside— not being used.

—via ICE Thank you for contacting MCCS Athletics and sharing your concerns about the equipment. Feedback such as yours keeps us informed, and lets us know how we are doing and where improvements can be made. The plyometric platform boxes were moved to the outdoor HITT centers to allow

@kerseewills

“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.”— Dr. Seuss #okilivingmag

for more plyometric exercise options outside. Typically, we prefer to keep equipment in one area for inventory, tracking and accountability purposes. However, in response to your concerns, we have moved a platform inside to function as a step for the pull-up bars. If you have any additional comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the program office via email at fitnesscenters@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org. Thanks again for sharing your comments.

—Paul Honnold, Semper Fit Athletics & Aquatics Program Manager

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.

JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 7

S

akura S eason

Sakura, Sakura...

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms…

…noyama mo sato mo. …in fields and villages.

Mi-watasu kagiri…

As far as the eye can see…

Tokyo Academy of Music, Collection of Koto Music

By MIKE DALEY Layout by MARGIE SHIMABUKURO

OUT + ABOUT

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OUT + ABOUT

MCCS PHOTOS

Life…as fleeting as it is beautiful. Although

ultimately transient, a life well-lived leaves imprints that live on in the hearts of future generations. It is believed in Japan that sakura, or cherry blossoms, epitomize this transience of both beauty and life…as well as emphasizing the importance of appreciating both at every opportunity.

The people of the Land of the Rising Sun absolutely love these blossoms. And, although the official flower of Japan is the chrysanthemum, many consider the sakura as the unofficial representative flower of the nation.

This love for the cherry blossom has been in the hearts of the Japanese since ancient times. Because the trees transformed barren winter hills into a landscape full of life and color in mere days, many believed that the sakura had magical properties. For centuries, many in Japan thought it was possible to tap into this “power” by spending time under the cherry blossoms; lords and rulers even transplanted sakura trees into their own courtyards as both decoration and protection. Magical properties aside, sakura were seen as a symbol of agricultural prosperity, and branches from the wild yamazakura, or mountain cherry tree, were brought down to the lowlands and used to decorate rural communities during spring festivals celebrating (or praying for) bountiful harvests.

During the early Edo Period, sakura trees were planted throughout Japan, and nobility began holding annual festivals where they would write poetry, compose music and create works of art under the sakura-laden branches.

Because of its beauty, the sakura also gained popularity amongst the ruling class and in 812 AD, the imperial family held their first formal cherry blossom viewing, or hanami. Because of the sakura’s transience, feudal-era samurai identified with the blossoms, as they felt the flower’s brief existence mirrored their own willingness to sacrifice their lives at any time for a just cause.

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OUT + ABOUT

Sakura on Okinawa

MCCS PHOTOS

Every year, the Japan Meteorological Association tracks the blooming of sakura trees from the southernmost prefecture in January to the northernmost regions in April and May. Called the “sakura zensen,” its progress is covered in the daily evening news.

Although there are many species of sakura throughout Japan, the most popular (and commonly depicted in art) is the somei yoshino. Growing up to 50 feet tall, this tree produces almost snow-white blossoms that last approximately one week before producing sakura fubuki—the veritable storm of white sakura petals carried on early springtime breezes. As school graduation season in Japan is in March, sakura are also associated with endings and new beginnings for schoolchildren in mainland Japan.

Thanks to Okinawa’s relatively balmy winter climate, the sakura zensen begins months before many other Japanese prefectures see the traditional harbinger of spring. When sakura begin appearing, usually beginning in the northern parts of the island during the end of January, the rest of the nation typically watches avidly via television reports. Some mainland residents even make the trip to Okinawa to see the local species—the kanhi-zakura in bloom.

Known as the Formosan cherry, or bellflower cherry in English, the kanhi-zakura have a darker—and in some cases an almost electric—pink bell-shaped blossom. The trees themselves are smaller than their brethren found in mainland Japan, and blooming usually begins in late January atop Mt. Yae (Yaedake), the Nakijin Castle ruins and Mt. Nago.

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OUT + ABOUT

Mt. Nago & Nangusuku

One of the satellite castles of Hokuzan, Nago Gusuku (or castle) was known as Nangusuku to the local populace. The remains of Nago Gusuku are located atop a hill soaring over the city. Today, there are approximately 20,000 cherry blossom trees planted alongside the stairway leading to the top (643 steps total—not for the faint of heart) that explode into shades of pink every year in late January to early February. Most years during this time, the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival takes place at the base of Mt. Nago, drawing around 200,000 visitors annually to its parades, street dances and stage entertainment. However, this year’s flower viewing promises to be much quieter with festivities taking a back seat to COVID mitigation.

Nakijin Castle

MCCS PHOTOS

Nakijin Castle was once a mighty fortress, designed to defend the rulers of Hokuzan. It was one of the largest and most impressive of the “Three Kingdom Era” castles with gardens, stables, several residences for the king’s most important aides and a palace for the king at the highest, innermost section. Each year in late January/ early February, the many hundreds of cherry blossom trees planted on (and around) the grounds bloom, making Nakijin a photographer’s paradise—especially in the evenings. In the past few years, Nakijin has been lighting up the ruin’s walkways in the evenings during its sakura season to stretch the time for flower viewing as long as possible.

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OUT + ABOUT

Mt. Yae

MCCS PHOTOS

Also known as Yaedake, Mt. Yae straddles both Nago and Motobu and is the tallest point on the Motobu Peninsula at 1,945 feet. It was used as a defensive position by Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa due to its height as well as the many crevices and caves on its slopes. The road that winds up Yaedake is lined with thousands of cherry blossom trees. And although the road offers several parking areas along the way, the best way to enjoy sakura at Yaedake is by parking at the bottom and slowly working your way upwards on foot—or vice-versa, as there is a small park with a parking lot at Mt. Yae’s apex.

Today, although no one really believes that the sakura has any magical healing properties, the beauty and simplicity of its exquisite shape and colors—be it the pinks of the kanhi-zakura or the snow-white somei yoshino—will definitely rid your heart of winter chills. With the dawn of a new year, start it off right by giving yourself a refreshing and soul-enriching break with a trip to visit Japan’s favorite blossom—the cherry blossom. 

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JANUARY 2016 | OKINAWA LIVING XX

New Year’s Traditions in Japan

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By Angie Andrews Layout by Mayar Mahmoud

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D

id you find yourself wishing for 2020 to pop on out of here faster and further than the cork of your celebratory Champagne? Whether your spirit was bubbling over with joy or fizzling out with exhaustion at the stroke of midnight and turn of a brand new calendar, history states there is nothing new about New Year’s.

For as long as people have been marking the passage of time, they’ve been celebrating New Year’s. Even the ancient Babylonians made promises, not unlike resolutions, each year in an effort to please their gods and in hopes of having a happy next “trip around the sun.” Today, people the world over celebrate with customs varying by region and sometimes even within family units. On Okinawa, we have the unique opportunity to witness multiple cultural takes of this holiday simultaneously.

Learning from each other provides the chance for everyone to have a “sense”-a-tional New Year’s.

If utilizing your sense of taste isn’t priority one on your list of to-dos for most holidays, are you really even celebrating? For Americans, traditional meals depend heavily on your family’s personal tastes or the region where you live. In the southern states, black-eyed peas are considered to bring good fortune in the coming year as they resemble coins. You might also enjoy pork and sauerkraut as lucky foods if your meal hails from the Northeast. In Japan and on Okinawa, the choice food for good fortune is toshi-koshi-soba (literally “year-crossing-noodles”).

The lengthy noodles of this soba are thought to bring good luck and a long-lasting life.

You’ll probably also want to spread good luck with cheerful greetings. In the States, we pretty much have one way to say, “Happy New Year” and that’s it. It’s fitting to say before or after the clock strikes twelve and some of us even tie it in with our Christmas wishes: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” However, in Japanese you will want to know two phrases, when to use them and how formality comes into play. To wish someone well before the New Year—your coworkers on the last day of work before the holiday, for instance—you would say, “yoi otoshi wo.” Once January 1 hits, you would change your phrasing to “shinnen akemashite omedetô gozaimasu.” As this full phrase is reserved for formal uses only, you can say “akemashite omedetô” when speaking to friends or family.

When your lips are done flapping with well wishes or helping you get a delicious (and hopefully lucky) bite, use them for locking! The customary midnight kiss many Americans treasure is rumored to have originated from multiple sources—the Romans with their Saturnalia celebration, the Scottish with Hogmanay, and German and English folklore—but it has also been brought to fame with the help of Hollywood.

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A Mouthful

MCCS PHOTO

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MCCS PHOTO

Eye-opening Insights Seeing the ball drop or fireworks at midnight are pretty classic sights for most in the States. People have been gathering at Times Square in New York City for over a century, and aside from this year’s COVID-inspired virtual changes, the crowd is often around one-million strong. Fireworks are popular in most cities, and viewing them as they light up the sky on New Year’s is commonplace.

Traditional sights for both Japanese and Okinawans are centered more around their own homes. Decorating for the holiday is often done in advance after a traditional and thorough yearend cleaning. Outside the homes, the door and entryway are adorned with shimenawa and kadomatsu. Shimenawa are sacred ropes of straw and dangling white strips called shide. Larger versions of shimenawa can be viewed at the entrances of shrines, but for New Year’s, additional decorations of tangerines and konbu (dried kelp) are common.

Kadomatsu, which are made from pine sprays, are not hung up, but displayed beside entryways.

Inside, upon a pedestal called toshidana (literally, “year shelf ”), sake (rice wine), persimmons and kagami-mochi (stacked, flat rice cakes) can be found. Together, all of these decorations honor and welcome toshi-gami (the god of New Year’s).

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MCCS PHOTO

Lend Me Your Ear You can literally hear the New Year ring in throughout Japan and on Okinawa. Jōya-no-Kane (ringing of the bells) is a Buddhist practice in which temple bells toll 108 times at midnight on New Year’s Day. The significance of 108 is in connection to the Buddhist belief that all humans carry 108 fundamental sins, and hearing the bells tolling is meant to be cleansing. Interestingly, the ball-drop celebration in New York City actually replaced a long-standing ritual of a crowd gathering outside of the Trinity Church to hear its bell tolling. Some churches, particularly of Catholic faith, still use bells both as tolling reminders and visual symbols of New Year’s.

For the party goers, it’s a much noisier affair. Americans love a good noisemaker (or they love to hate them).

Familiar sounds range from little paper horns and kazoos to folks gleefully marching around outside while banging pots and pans together, but even without noisemakers, cheers and shouts abound.

The most recognized sound on New Year’s across the world may be the familiar “Auld Lang Syne.” In Japan, this song’s melody is tied to “Hotaru-no-Hikari,” a graduation song. Usually what comes to mind from “Auld Lang Syne” is the very beginning of the poem-turned-song, which relates to old acquaintances, but this year, in particular, a different line resonates. When saying goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021, perhaps the most fitting lyric is, “We’ll take a cup of kindness yet.”

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MCCS PHOTO

A Nose for Action Tasting, seeing and hearing your way through the start of a brand new year may be great experiences, but I’m “sensing” there are ways to participate even more actively.

For Americans, the big “to do” is making resolutions. Sometimes reflection leads us to choose how we want to improve ourselves or our lives, and other times we arbitrarily pick something while chatting with friends. Many times, our resolutions have gone right out the door a week after we’ve made them. One recent trend is to choose a focus word—just one word to help guide you through the year.

Truly celebrating Oshōgatsu (New Year’s) customs on Okinawa, or in Japan, will keep you much busier. Firstly, the holiday stretches out over the better part of a week, with preparations usually beginning around December 27 and the celebrations lasting until January 3, depending on how the weekdays fall that year. This time is centered around family and is one of the most important holidays. Secondly, some Okinawans also celebrate Kyū-Shōgatsu, or Uchinā-Sogwachi (Lunar, or Chinese New Year, which falls on February 12 this year).

Sending and receiving nengajyō, or traditional greeting cards, is also customary. The cards are exchanged between everyone— friends, family, acquaintances and from businesses to their patrons. A typical family may send out a hundred or more cards each year. While the cards are dropped off at post offices in the later weeks of December, they will be delivered all at once on January 1.

After spending time with family, next comes hatsumōde, the first temple or shrine visit of the year. Visits begin on New Year’s Eve and some of the more well-known shrines on mainland Japan receive millions of visitors over the course of three days. When visiting the shrine, it is also a good time to purchase a good luck charm for the year.

Charms can be for many aspects of one’s life such as work, family or love.

Celebrating is definitely fun for children, as they are the gleeful recipients of gifts (usually cash!). Otoshidama (meaning “gem of the year”) are gifts received by individual children as opposed to a shared family gift.

Parents, grandparents, close relatives and sometimes even neighbors join in on gifting to the children, so as the presents pile in, it is not unheard of for a single child to receive

the equivalent of a thousand dollars cash or more. Akemashite omedetô, indeed!

With all of that money changing hands, it’s time to shop. Fukubukuro or “lucky bags” are fun items to pick up from the local stores.

These mystery bags are sort of like grab bags. You won’t have any idea what you have purchased until you return home to open your shopping bag. The best part of this is the common practice for the items to be worth more than what you paid for your fukubukuro, so you can find value in your new surprises and the items themselves.

Handful of Memories As 2021 (the year of the Ox) gets going, hopefully you have chosen to celebrate in a meaningful way. One blessing of American traditions might be that they’re often a hodge-podge of rituals from other cultures and experiences we’ve gathered along the way. Whether you have selected your resolutions, identified your one guiding word or decided to embrace some of Okinawa’s traditions, may your year be one filled with new adventures and fond memories. 

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OKUMA BEACH

2nd Annual

Miniature Golf Championship Saturday, 16 January • 10 am - Noon

Registration opens • 9:30 am 3.50 • Per person ages 11 & over Prizes for first, second, and third place in two age groups: ages 11 - 17 and ages 18 & over. Enjoy complimentary pastries and refreshments. $

Family Fun Miniature Golf

Sunday, 17 January • 10 am - Noon Registration opens • 9:30 am $ 10 • Per family This is the perfect event for the whole family. Compete in teams of up to five. The winning team receives a free activity discount pass.

Romantic Dinner

Group Reservations Now - 31 March • Sunday - Thursday Okuma Group Reservations offers lodging discounts to groups of five or more rooms. This is a great time to schedule annual meetings, family reunions, weddings, retreats, functions, and more! You name it, we can host it! Please contact the Group Reservations office for details. Monday - Friday • 8 am - 5 pm 631-1806 | 080-6489-8619

Sweet Cabana Deal Now - 31 March • Sunday - Thursday (Excludes holidays) Your stay gets even sweeter when you save 20% off of a twonight stay that includes breakfast for two people in any Okuma Suite, Suite Plus, Studio, or Studio Premier. Restrictions may apply.

Saturday, 13 February $60 • Couple $35 • Per person Experience an enchanted evening at Okuma Beach and enjoy a meal beautifully prepared by our talented chefs. This four-course meal will include items like crab bisque, filet mignon or salmon, and crème brûlée for dessert. Reservations are encouraged for this romantic Valentine’s dinner. Call Surfside Grill & Bar at 098-962-1805.

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

Okuma.KadenaFSS.com

facebook.com/theokumabeach

SUBJECT TO CHANGE KADENA AIR BASE

@okumabeach

FITNESS + FUN

Team Up With Dolphins Youth Swim Team Tryouts Do you believe dolphins are good communicators? The ones on Camp Foster sure are and their message is loud and clear—it’s time to welcome more members to the team! The winter swim season for the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) has arrived.

On January 4 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., SOFA swimmers ages 7 to 18 are invited to the Camp Foster Aquatic Center to try out for the youth swim team. Registration is not required, and tryouts should only take around 10 minutes. Interested future dolphins will start with a 50m freestyle swim and then move onto 25m of breaststroke followed by 25m of backstroke.

A brief rest (20 seconds or less) is permitted between the 25m swims, but otherwise, all efforts should be nonstop and without parental interaction.

Upon a successful tryout, swimmers may then register for the winter swim season, which lasts from January 5 to February 27, either in person or online for a fee of $75. This fee is for the first youth swimmer per family, and each additional family member to join the ODST will receive a $5 discount. Please note that ODST members from prior seasons will not need to try out again, but registration for each swim season is required.

Once on the team, swimmers attend regular practices and compete at monthly swim meets. For more information, please visit mccsokinawa. com/swimteam. Questions may be emailed to mccsaquatics@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org. 

ODST Swim Meet Dip into this Year’s Competition If 2020 left you treading water, cheer up.

We’ve got the skinny on dipping into the fun with Semper Fit Aquatics. (Bathing suits are required, though!) The first swim meet of the year will take place on Saturday, January 23.

Hosted by the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST), this FREE event is open to SOFA ID card holders of all ages island-wide. Come on out to Camp Foster Aquatic Center to warm up at 7 a.m., and be ready to hit the starting blocks by 8:05 a.m.

Swimmers may register by emailing mccsaquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org by January 20. ODST members will race in events chosen by their coaches, and non-team members may select their own events from the list

found at mccsokinawa.com/swimteam. Knowing your estimated entry time is helpful, but not required. After choosing your event, please email us with your name, age and gender. And with distances ranging from 25 up through 400 meters, and several swim strokes to pick from, why choose just one race? Compete in up to three events!

Races are seeded based on event entry times, whereas award ribbons are distributed according to age and gender categories. One award has even been granted already: “1st Place Sweet of the Meet” goes to Blue Seal ice cream, which will be available at the conclusion of the races while supplies last. So, start your 2021 off right and meet us at the pool.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 31

FITNESS + FUN

Diamonds, Dugouts and Dingers Camp Hansen Open Softball Tournament January is National Hobby Month, which makes it the perfect time to start your year off doing the things you enjoy most. So, if the (softball) glove fits, this weekend tournament is for you. Join us at the Camp Hansen softball fields on January 23 and 24 for your chance to hit one out of the park. Open to SOFA ID card holders island-wide, this event promises fun for players ages 16 and up.

Looking to join in on the games, but don’t have a team? Pitch the idea of starting one up to your friends! As you organize your team, consider these tournament guidelines. Teams should have a minimum of 9 players and no more than 15 players on their rosters, plus a coach. Coaches who will also play count towards the 15-play-

er roster limit. Games will have 60-minute time limits, except for the final games, which stretch to 75 minutes. Lastly, play will be in double elimination fashion (two losses and you’re out), so bring your A-game, as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams will receive awards.

Registration is required through Eventbrite before 1 p.m. on January 18 for $150 per team. After the sign-up window closes, tournament schedule details will be finalized and released to registered teams.

Plan to report to the field at least 30 minutes before each of your assigned game times. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/ adultsports or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. Questions may be emailed to adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Flag on the Play Official Verdict is…Football Rules!

After Inauguration Day ( January 20), football enthusiasts on Okinawa are invited to follow in some presidential footsteps. Did you know former presidents Eisenhower, Ford, Nixon and John F. Kennedy, along with newly elected President Biden, all played the sport at either the high school or collegiate level? While you might not aspire to tackle the role of Commander in Chief, you can always campaign for more football.

Elect to take the field during the Southern Camp Commander’s Cup Flag Football Tournament happening on Saturday and Sunday, January 23–24. Kicking off at Camp Kinser Athletic Field 4, this FREE event is sure to be a game changer for your weekend. Joining in on the fun is a snap for eligible units from Camp Kinser, MCAS Futenma and Camp Foster. Teams may register through Eventbrite until 1 p.m. on January 18. After the registration window closes, the tournament schedule will be set and released.

As far as how the tournament will play out, teams may have up to 20 players and a coach. Any coaches who plan on playing will count toward the 20-player limits. Each game will have two 20-minute halves with a five minute halftime, and overall 1st and 2nd place teams—determined through double elimination tournament play (two losses and you’re out)—will receive awards. Join the huddle for more information at mccsokinawa.com/adultsports or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. For any questions, please email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 33

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FITNESS + FUN

Tunnel Rats Tour Explore the Bunkers and Shelters of WWII It’s common to hear how soldiers used the island’s extensive cave systems during the Battle of Okinawa as both bunkers and shelters, but to explore them firsthand—to walk the hallowed tunnels of such great historical significance—is an exceptional, rarely-afforded experience. Throughout January, however, Tours+ is offering the Tunnel Rats Tour: your chance to take a guided exploration of the caves whose presence completely altered the last major battle of World War II. A fantastic tour to experience with your unit, this day of historical spelunking includes a stop at the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society’s Museum on Camp Kinser, where you’ll find a robust assemblage of photographs and artifacts; veterans, collectors and cave explorers have discovered and donated the museum’s WWII memorabilia throughout the decades, which adds even more of a personal touch to this already engaging tour.

As participants will venture into the caves and tunnels, they should bring a flashlight, gloves, a hat, sturdy shoes and clothing they won’t mind getting dirty. Transportation leaves at 9 a.m. from the Foster Bowling Center and will return at 5 p.m. Lunch is not included in the admission price, so please bring U.S. dollars for lunch.

Lastly, participants must be at least 8 years old to join the tour. For more information including tour dates, prices and numbers to call to reserve a tour, head to mccsokinawa.com/tours. 

Winter Skins Weekend Make Your Golf Tournament Debut If you love golf but have been hesitant in entering a tournament at Taiyo Golf Club because you may not have the most consistent game, Taiyo’s upcoming Winter Skins Weekend is the perfect event at which to make your debut in the golf tournament world. The reason this tournament is friendly to newcomers is simple: you can play the worst two days of golf in your life, but if you perform the best on just one hole, you’ll be crowned a winner.

Skins, named after the material in which people back in the day used to hold money, is a game where every single hole is a new bet. The player who posts the lowest score on a hole among all players in the tournament wins that

hole (no ties allowed). For an 18-hole skins tournament, there could potentially be 18 different winners. As the Winter Skins Weekend will be spread across two days, January 23–24, there could be 36 different winners, with each winner receiving an MCCS Gift Certificate.

This tournament is open to all SOFA ID card holders and costs $10 to enter. Please register bright and early the day of the tournament at the Taiyo Golf Club Pro Shop, as players must tee off before 9 a.m. If you have any questions, check out mccsokinawa.com/golf or call Taiyo Golf Club at 622-2004/2006 from a DSN or 098-954-2004/2006 from off base. 

JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 35

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MARINES + FAMILIES

Lanterns and Tangerines Family-Friendly Offerings from Tours+ January on Okinawa means two things are in full swing: lantern festivals and tangerine-picking season—both of which are fantastic outings to experience with the whole family. Luckily, Tours+ offers transportation and tours to both, so grab the kids, relax and let Tours+ take you on a trip to remember.

The Tangerine-picking Tour will take you to the beautiful Izumi Mikan Farm up north in Motobu Village. While one doesn’t typically associate January with fruit-picking season, Okinawa’s subtropical climate allows the tankan, or Okinawan tangerines, to ripen in the winter months; December and January are an explosion of orange at Izumi Mikan Farm, so expect to find more tangerines than you can hope to carry. The tour leaves at 9:30 a.m. from the Camp Foster Bowling Center and will return at 3:30 p.m. Tangerines are sold by the kilo at the farm, so bring Yen if you would like to take some tankan home.

As for the Ryukyu Lantern Festival Tour, transportation will leave from the Camp Foster Bowling Center at 5 p.m. and whisk you off to Murasaki Mura Theme Park in Yomitan, where the 5,000 Chinese lanterns are truly a sight to behold. Murasaki Mura— with its traditional Ryukyu architecture—already has the ability to transport you back to the age of the Ryukyu Kingdom, but with the lanterns, music and food, it will feel as if you have hopped into a time machine and stepped out during a 15th-century festival (although whether they had yakitori and pork buns back then is debatable). In addition to traditional lanterns, the Ryukyu Lantern Festival also showcases fun handmade lanterns; it’s not rare to see SpongeBob, Doraemon or Totoro in lantern form!

The bus will bring you back to Camp Foster (and present day) at 9:30 p.m. If you’d like to purchase food or crafts at the festival, please bring Yen. For more information including tour dates, prices and numbers to call to reserve a tour, head to mccsokinawa. com/tours.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 37

MARINES + FAMILIES

Dreaming of Home Home Buying Workshop For many military families, dreams of a “forever home” have had plenty of time to stew and become more elaborate. Imagining a permanent address (and no more zip codes to learn!), walls we can paint any shade we please, a yard, a pool and other favorite amenities wrapped up in one picture-perfect house sure makes the prospect of owning a home sound amazing. And can you imagine choosing a location instead of being assigned to one? No wonder it’s so easy to spend hours perusing sites like Zillow, Trulia and Redfin. But, while the daydream is exciting, the reality of buying a home can be overwhelming.

If you are planning to buy a home at your next duty station (or would like to be prepared for when “forever” finally arrives), becoming an educated home buyer just got a little easier. On January 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Personal Financial Management (PFM) Program is hosting a Home Buying Workshop at the Emmons building (6300) on Camp Shields.

Plan on attending this informative class to learn about interest rates, VA (Veterans Affairs) Loans, escrow accounts, finding a real estate agent and more. Participants can register online at mccsokinawa.com/personal_finance_ management or by calling their nearest Marine and Family Programs-Resources center by January 13. For more information including phone numbers, class details and resources related to credit, loans, financial planning and more, please visit the aforementioned URL. 

Virtual Education Fair Choose, Fund and Complete Your Higher Education Planning for higher education can feel like an awful game of Let’s Make a Deal! The extraordinary levels of doubt and commitment involved in choosing a program can be overwhelming, not to mention the potential student loan monsters lurking behind the wrong door. Fortunately, you aren’t alone. The MCCS Education Program is here to help you select the right door with the Virtual Education Fair, where you’ll learn how to choose, fund and complete your higher education.

On Wednesday, January 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., active-duty service members, veterans and their family members are invited to join the Education Fair through WebEx. No registration is required for this FREE event; all you have to do is sign in using the meeting number 1993100395 (password: fair).

Here’s how the day will run: At 8 a.m., you’ll have the chance to preview the schools on island (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Troy University and University of Maryland Global Campus) and discover what programs they offer. At 9 a.m., you’ll pick up

the tools to help you choose a career. Based on your career goals, the Education Program will help you select the right school at 10 a.m.

As most programs that military-affiliated individuals pursue on Okinawa are online, learn how to get a head start in succeeding in online classes at 11 a.m., followed by the ever-important segment at 1 p.m. in which you’ll learn how to fund your college education. At 2 p.m., you’ll learn how to maximize and transfer your GI Bill benefits, and at 3 p.m., you’ll receive tips on writing winning essays for scholarships—which there are plenty of, specifically for service members, veterans and their families. The day will then cap off with a Question and Answer segment at 3:45 p.m.

So if you’d like help in choosing the door to a happy and well-planned higher education, let the Education Program help. For more information, head to mccsokinawa.com/education or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries.

For questions, call 645-7160 or email education@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 39

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Resolutions Have Never Tasted Better

MCCS PHOTO

MCCS Restaurants’ Healthy Food Options If one of your New Year’s resolutions is the classic “to eat healthier,” you are in good company; MCCS Restaurants island-wide have plenty of healthy food options and lesser-known modifications that are tasty enough to make adhering to your resolutions a low-fat, low-sugar piece of cake.

At Bulldogs (mccsokinawa.com/bulldogs), you can ask for a lettuce bun on any sandwich you’d like at no extra cost. We wrap the burger or chicken patty in several leaves of crisp iceberg lettuce, thereby cutting the carbs, calories and guilt from your satisfying sandwich.

Similarly, at Sumo Burrito (mccsokinawa.com/sumo), instead of packing all of your favorite burrito fillings into a giant tortilla, you can opt to enjoy your meats and toppings on a salad.

Over at LifeJuice (mccsokinawa.com/lifejuice), if you are looking for a post-workout drink without the heaviness of a smoothie, try the Boost Juice (freshly squeezed juice), prepared right in front of you with whole fresh fruit and vegetables. No added sugars, no added sweeteners, just a clean, healthy boost for your body. Staff favorites include the Apple Cucumber Juice and the Carrot Orange Juice, but there are tons of options to include grapes, pineapples, carrots, grapefruit, cucumbers and oranges.

Regarding coffee, you’re probably familiar with Bonsai’s (mccsokinawa.com/bonsai) many milk options including low fat,

almond and soy milk, but sugar-free syrups are also available. If your go-to is a medium vanilla latte, just choose low fat milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup to save yourself 240 calories. And don’t forget about the Fit4Life menu available at select Bonsai Coffee and LifeJuice locations. This menu includes grilled salmon, grilled chicken and glazed shrimp—all served with veggies to help you eat all the colors of the rainbow (a doctor-recommended tip that increases your consumption of different and necessary vitamins and minerals). And if you’re vegetarian or vegan, grilled veggie sets are also available: eggplant, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and steamed broccoli all served on a brown rice and quinoa mix.

Healthy options are not just limited to fast-casual restaurants, either. Try TERRA’s (mccsokinawa.com/terra) Seared Ahi Salad with wasabi vinaigrette, Ocean Breeze’s (mccsokinawa.com/oceanbreeze) Grains and Greens—quinoa, orzo and fresh local greens served with a lemon vinaigrette—or Taiyo Steakhouse’s (mccsokinawa.com/ taiyosteakhouse) Koji Chicken or Porcini-Encrusted Salmon (just ask for no butter).

With all of these great options to choose from, following through on a New Year’s resolution has never tasted better. 

JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 43

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Tengan Castle Menu Revamp New Year, New Menu

By Alex Jusell | Photography by Hillary Taylor

It appears MCCS Okinawa has made a New Year’s resolution to win all of the 2021 Food and Hospitality Excellence Awards; onbase restaurants are reworking menus left and right, and the quality of the offerings is steadily increasing. Case in point: the newest menu makeover at Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney, which is so successful that no matter where you live or work, the meal will be well worth the drive.

Let’s start with the appetizers, among which stands a contender for best appetizer on island: the Coconut Shrimp. Never have I been compelled to order an appetizer twice until I met these plump fried shrimp, breaded with coconut and served with a sweet and spicy mango-chili sauce so delicious that even if you had a whole bucket, it wouldn’t be enough. After inhaling these, I realized the new menu meant business. My expectations rose, but Tengan Castle just kept vaulting over them, dish after dish.

The Asian Chopped salad is satisfying and unique in its range of textures: crispy lo mein noodles, fresh avocado and spinach, crunchy candied nuts and thick sesame dressing—not a single bite is boring.

Another salad, equally as satisfying, is La Gallina, a Tex-Mex spin with grilled chicken, crumbled tortilla chips, fire-roasted corn salsa, avocado, cheddar cheese and lime-cilantro ranch all on mixed greens.

For entrées, Tengan specializes in sandwiches, quesadillas and burgers with excellent options in each category. Highlights include the Catfish Po’boy—a whopping whitefish fillet, breaded, fried and served on French bread with sweet slaw, American cheese and jalapeño tartar sauce—and the Chorizo Potato Mozzarella quesadilla, a dinner-time homage to Tengan Castle’s best-selling breakfast quesadilla. This hearty, comforting quesadilla has an assemblage of ingredients—organic pizza sauce, spicy chorizo sausage, fried potatoes and mozzarella cheese on a flour tortilla—that at a cursory

glance may look quite unique, but, once tasted, will pleasantly surprise you with how well all of the ingredients harmonize. If you’re feeling less adventurous, the Memphis Pulled Pork quesadilla is a no-brainer with its combination of pork, crispy onion petals, white cheddar cheese and sweet BBQ sauce. Speaking of pulled pork, the Tengan Burger’s grilled beef patty is topped with it and Havarti cheese—a delicious solution to a ravenous appetite.

If you somehow still have room after your entrée (I’m sorry if you had to share), you’re invited to make the hardest decision of your day: which dessert to pick. I can personally vouch for the Brownie À La Mode: a triple-chocolate Ghirardelli brownie served warm and topped with your choice of chocolate, strawberry or vanilla ice cream.

Or, if you’d rather order more than one dessert, New York-Style Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake and triple-layer Lemon Cake with a summer blueberry coulis are also available.

With the most expensive menu item at only $12, you’ll leave with both a happy wallet and a happy belly. And in case you are at all nervous about dining at restaurants these days, Tengan Castle’s COVID-mitigation efforts will set your mind at ease. The tables are appropriately distanced, hand sanitizer is readily available for all guests and the wait staff wear masks and regularly sanitize highcontact surfaces. If you’d like to take another precautionary step, outdoor seating is also available which, if you haven’t been, has remarkable views of Kin Bay from the hill upon which Tengan Castle is perched.

Tengan Castle is open for lunch Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and dinner Wednesday–Friday, 5–9 p.m. To view the full menu, or for more information including brunch and breakfast details, head to mccsokinawa.com/tengancastle. For questions, call 622-9413 from a DSN or 098-954-9413 from off base.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 45

KIDS + PARENTS

That’s Wild!

MCCS Libraries’ Innovation Labs In Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, we encounter a boy named Max at his home and in a jungle-esque setting.

We soon learn, however, that the jungle—and the wild things which inhabit it—actually live in Max’s imagination. Similarly, you don’t have to look very far to find “the wild things” on Okinawa. Let your imagination run wild at the MCCS Libraries’ Innovation Labs, which have over 30 tools to inspire you.

Whether you are feeling musical, artsy or tech-savvy—these inventive wonderlands are yours to explore.

Strike a chord in your soul with the help of acoustic guitars, electronic drum sets, digital pianos and recording software. Craft your heart out with the help of vinyl cutting machines, Adobe Suite creative software, an embroidery machine and large-capacity printers and laminators. Bring your designs to life with 3-D printers and modeling software. Learn to code with Kano computers, Jimu and Ozobots robots or Makey Makey STEM packs.

In addition, if you’re looking to test your creative limits outside of the library, you can check out an iPad or GoPro for wherever your island adventures take you. For a full list of specific products available through our libraries’ Innovation Labs, visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries and click on the “Innovation Lab” tab. Items available at each library location may vary. For any questions, please contact your library directly or email libraryprogram@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Get Out of the Cold And Into a Warm Library MCCS Libraries make especially good retreats during the wet and dreary winter months for kids and adults alike. In addition to the vast catalogue of books, e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels, DVDs and video games available, the libraries are brimming with events, resources and services that’ll warm the heart and offer some shelter from the cold.

Regarding events, libraries host a generous amount on a monthly basis—offerings such as Storytime, where kids and parents alike can join in on read-alouds, sing-alongs and seasonal crafting, or Japanese culture classes, in which participants can learn more about their home away from home through lessons covering language, crafting and customs. Other recurring events, some of which are virtual in case you want to find warmth in your own home, include Stock Market 101 classes,

Genealogy and Family History Help classes, Writers’ Workshops and more.

Resources and services-wise, MCCS Libraries are stocked with computers and printing services (the first ten printed pages are FREE, and customers must provide their own paper when printing in excess of ten pages) that are fantastic for students to tackle their homework while waiting for mom or dad to get off work. Meeting rooms, reading rooms, iPads, Launch Pad, GoPro Cameras and much more are also available—including the Innovation Labs, which have so much to offer that we had to give them their own article (see left).

There are MCCS Libraries on Camps Courtney, Foster, Hansen, Kinser, Schwab and MCAS Futenma. For a list of hours and contact information, please visit mccsokinawa. com/libraries.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 47

KIDS + PARENTS

Woosah… …With Anger Management for the 21st Century Anger in communication is like a wheel lock on a car: you get nowhere quick. Thankfully, the Family Advocacy Program is offering Anger Management for the 21st Century, a four-week class to assist individuals in removing that wheel lock. Learn preventative techniques to maintain control of anger and its unwelcome, associated emotions—frustration, anxiety, stress—to keep communication flowing and effective.

Specific lessons offered in this class include dealing with stress, empathy, responding instead of reacting, changing internal conversations, assertive communication, adjusting expectations, forgiveness and self-reflection. Learn these strategies and more on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. on Camp Foster (Bldg. 439) or on Thursdays, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Camp Hansen (Bldg. 2631).

Applying these anger management strategies in your everyday life will directly and positively impact the relationships with your spouse, children, friends, family, coworkers and even strangers; you’ll grow aware of simmering anger and stress before they boil over and onto someone else.

Moreover, you’ll learn that you yourself are not the thoughts and emotions that pass through your head, but an observer of those emotions with the choice of whether to act on them or not. In short, this class will offer a nice change in perspective.

SOFA ID card holders may register for Anger Management for the 21st Century by calling 645-2915 or emailing MCCS Family Advocacy Program Prevention and Education anytime at fapprevention@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org. For more information, head to mccsokinawa.com/behavioralhealth. 

It Takes a Village MCCS New Parent Support Program Expectant parents, MCCS New Parent Support Program is here to be your village! With four different classes available, we’ll help take the trepidation out of pregnancy, birth and baby care.

Journey Through Pregnancy is offered weekly from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Camps Kinser (Wednesdays), Foster (Thursdays) and Courtney (Fridays). This 12-week series, which can be joined at any time and is recommended at any point during your pregnancy, will help boost your confidence with topics like “understanding pregnancy,” “understanding birth” and “mother and new baby care.”

The Parents in Uniform class, a small, group-based class offered monthly on Camp Foster, is recommended for those in early pregnancy as the information covered all relates to the logistics of having a child while in the military—such as housing information, legal requirements, leave policy, on-island child care options, DEERS and more—that you’ll want to be aware of and have sorted out before the baby arrives.

Another monthly class offered on Camp Foster is Baby Boot Camp. Recommended for expectant parents during the last trimester, this class relays everything you need to know about caring for your baby from birth through the first months after delivery, including nutrition, diapering, breastfeeding and more.

Lastly, the Japanese Baby Boot Camp class, offered as needed on Camp Foster, is the Baby Boot Camp class except taught by a Japanese-speaking home visitor.

All classes are FREE. Please call 645-0396 from a DSN, 098-970-0396 from off base or email npsp@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org to register. For more information, please visit mccsokinawa.com/npsp.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 49

SERVICES

APPtitude for Life on Okinawa Access at Your Fingertips Life is better when you’re in the know. And you’ve probably noticed there is an enormous amount of information out there about this relatively small island. Fortunately, it’s all organized and available in one place for you—the MCCS Okinawa Liberty App— and access has never been so easy. The home screen of our FREE app is enough to get you started, with plenty of categories to choose from depending on your needs.

On the hunt for a fun activity? If you tap the “Events” icon you’ll have instant access to links for calendars from MCCS, Navy MWR, the Single Marine Program and the USO. Included in “Things To Do,” you can find both on- and off-base places to eat, shop, visit and stay. The “Liberty Tools” will set you up for success with access to command regulations, off-limits establishments and important phone numbers. The most recent addition is the “COVID-19” icon, your link to the latest coronavirus updates and restrictions.

Last, but not least, is the “Total Fitness Tool,” complete with an anonymous self-assessment geared towards helping you monitor your mental, physical and spiritual health.

There’s even a social fitness section focused on both individual and community health.

And don’t forget that little menu bar along the bottom. It has goodies such as basic phrase translations and a “Today” feed with TCCOR, sea and flag conditions plus a Yen rate calculator. For more information, scan the QR code below or head to Apple’s App Store or Google Play to download the Liberty App today. 

Because It’s the Thought That Counts!

Party Supplies at Courtney Arts and Crafts With the regulations of reduced social gathering sizes in effect, parties—birthdays, graduations, baby showers and more—just aren’t the same. But just because the group is smaller doesn’t mean a happy occasion can’t be celebrated like it should! Smaller groups mean there’s more importance placed on the content and decorations at these events—which is where Courtney Arts and Crafts comes in.

Courtney Arts and Crafts on Camp Courtney has a vast supply of party decorations for a variety of occasions. Starting with kids’ birthdays, tableware kits are available in fun themes including unicorn sparkle, Justice League, Scooby Doo, Super Mario Party, Pokémon and more. There’s even a Mickey Mouse Birthday Decoration Kit that includes balloons, streamers, ribbons and a giant banner.

For recent graduates, tableware kits, metallic fan decorations, graduation photo garlands, confetti, photo-booth prop kits, banners, foil centerpieces, buffet-decoration kits, lanterns and wall-decorating kits are all available to help make that special day extra festive.

For expectant mothers, there are baby shower decorations to include “Mommy-To-Be” sashes, a diaper-cake kit (if you’re unfamiliar, this is a stack of diapers in the shape of a cake, although a cake in the shape of a diaper sounds like fun, too), tissue-fan decorations, gender reveal cups, signs, banners and whole-room decoration kits.

Lastly, for more general parties, paper lanterns, spray centerpieces, banners and different table covers are available, too. For any questions, please call 622-7492 from a DSN or 098-9547492 from off base. For a complete list of party supplies, visit mccsokinawa.com/artsandcrafts.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 51

TROY’s Military and Family Scholarship caps the cost of tuition at $250 per credit hour for active duty military. Also, your spouse and dependents receive up to 50% in tuition savings.

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TERM IV, 2021 Mar. 15 - May 16, 2021 Registration Begins: 02/22/21 TERM V, 2021 May 24 - Jul. 25, 2021 Registration Begins: 05/03/21

CONTACT THE PROGRAM

TERM I, 2021 Aug. 9 - Oct. 10, 2021 Registration Begins: 05/03/21

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TERM II, 2021 Oct. 11 - Dec. 12, 2021 Registration Begins: 09/20/21

COORDINATOR NEAREST YOU

KADENA AB kadena@troy.edu DSN 634-7464

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Okinawa Living 7.9375 x 5.625 2019-2020 Term 0 - Edit.indd 1

TERM III, 2022 Jan. 3 - Mar. 6, 2022 Registration Begins: 11/22/21 TERM IV, 2022 Mar. 14 - May 15, 2022 Registration Begins: 02/21/22 TERM V, 2022 May 23 - Jul. 24, 2022 Registration Begins: 05/02/22

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11:01 AM

SERVICES

Typhoon Motors Sales to Keep You Safe Roll into the New Year in a ride you can trust with the help of MCCS. This month, Typhoon Motors is offering the New Year’s Tire Sale and the $1 Lifts and Stalls Sale to help you feel at ease with your ride.

With the chance of intermittent showers always looming on Okinawa—even when none are forecasted—slick roads are an ever-present source of vehicular mayhem. To help mitigate tire slippage, make sure the tread on your tires is deep enough to grip the road. An easy way to check for appropriate depth is with the penny test. Stick a penny into the tread groove so that Abraham Lincoln’s head is upside-down. If you can see all of Abe’s head, it’s time to head to Typhoon Motors for the New Year’s Tire Sale—with 10% OFF new tires, mounting and balancing— all January long at Camps Foster, Courtney and Hansen.

Another way to feel at ease with your car is to check its ins and outs with your own eyes. Without a lift, that can be hard to do, but fortunately, Typhoon Motors is having a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Special, with $1 lift and stall rentals on Camps Foster ( January 17–19), Kinser ( January 17–18), Courtney ( January 19) and Hansen ( January 19).

For more information, including services, hours and contact information for all Typhoon Motors locations, head to mccsokinawa.com/ typhoonmotors. 

Finish it in Style… …with Finishes at Camp Courtney Arts and Crafts Woodworkers know that the right finish can transform a piece into a centerpiece, so to help meet your finishing needs, Camp Courtney Arts and Crafts now offers stains, oils, varnishes and polyurethane finishes. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they have remarkably different effects on wood and bear distinguishing.

Stains simply change the color of wood. They don’t offer much in the way of protection.

Meanwhile, oils enhance the visual aesthetic of wood. Over time, wood loses its natural oils, creating a dry and unfinished look; adding oil nourishes the wood, makes the grain “pop” and adds a warm, natural color. Oils can offer a bit more protection than stains, but not nearly as much as varnishes or polyurethane finishes. Varnishes are an older type of finish made of oils, resin and solvents that are often used to protect wood from UV damage—great for decking and outdoor furniture. If you need maximum protection, however, grab polyurethane. Polyurethane is a liquid plastic and a prime candidate for floorboards and tabletops. Even though it will leave your wood feeling more plastic-like, it is the most durable of the four.

If you are still unsure of which finish to buy and apply to your work, the knowledgeable staff at Camp Courtney Arts and Crafts (Bldg. 4453) is happy to help. For more information, call 622-7492 from a DSN or 098-954-7492 from off base.  JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 53

LIVING ON OKINAWA

Niku Jyaga (Meat and Potatoes) Serves 3 Ingredients 1/2 large onion 2 medium-sized potatoes 6–8 large green beans 200 grams sukiyaki beef (thinly sliced) 4 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/2 Tbsp. mirin (sweet cooking wine) 4 Tbsp. dashi* (soup stock) Preparation 1. Make sauce by mixing soy sauce, sugar and dashi.

2. Peel potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

3. Cut beef into bite-sized pieces.

4. Boil the potatoes until al dente (fork tender). Do not over boil.

5. Boil beans, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and place in cold water.

6. Thinly slice onions, stir-fry beef with onions until semi-transparent and then add potatoes and sauce mixture.

7. Set heat to medium and reduce liquid (stirring constantly), then add green beans and mirin.

8. Serve with steamed white rice. *To make dashi: bring water to a rolling boil then add a handful of katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes). After one minute, remove from heat and strain.

Pork & New Year’s Pork is an essential part of many Okinawans’ diets, and although almost all of the pig is enjoyed, visitors to the island shouldn’t leave without trying rafute, san-mai-niku or soki. Rafute is made from pork belly, which is popularly referred to as the side of the hog. Although this cut is often shunned because of its high fat content, on Okinawa it is prized.

Rafute is prepared by taking pork belly cut into cubes (without removing the skin) and simmering it for hours in a sauce made from dashi (a soup stock made from dried bonito flakes), soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger and awamori (read more about this spirit on p. 56). Rafute was once reserved for royalty and visiting dignitaries. Today everyone on Okinawa can enjoy this dish.

San-mai-niku, which translates into “meat with three layers,” is a stewed cut of

pork belly—sort of a smaller, thinner version of rafute. San-mai-niku is similar to a thick (between 50–150mm) slice of bacon flavored with the same sweet soy sauce glaze as rafute. Modern-day Okinawa soba is often topped with a few slices of san-mainiku, and many homes feature it as a part of gochiso—or “festive meal”—served during special occasions such as New Year’s.

Soki are short pork ribs, usually marinated in soy sauce and sugar and simmered until extremely tender, that are likely to be seen topping a healthy serving of Okinawan soki soba. Many families boil soki without soy sauce and use the stock to make the accompanying soup or dashi for their toshi-koshi (“year-crossing”) soba noodles as well. 

Uchinâguchi Corner English

Japanese

Uchinâguchi

Good Morning

Ohayô Gozaimasu

Ukimi Sôchi

JANUARY 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 69

Commercial Ad Directory

AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom ��������������������������������������32 Authentic Indian Restaurant Indira �����������������������������64 Bar & Grill Flex �����������������������������������������������������������������������46 Beach Front Tower Mihama ������������������������������������������50 Burrito Box ������������������������������������������������������������������������������48 DoubleTree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort �������2 Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort ����������������������������������������2 iias Okinawa Toyosaki Shopping Mall ����������������������40 Kamiunten Orthodontic Office �������������������������������������54 Kinsei Barbell & Fitness Co ��������������������������������������������48 Marina Dental Clinic ����������������������������������������������������������64 Matsuya & MyCurry Shokudo ���������������������������������������32 me love ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������36 Mediatti Broadband Communications �������������������� C2 Miyagi Cosmetic Surgery ������������������������������������������������34 Okinawa Awamori Distillers Association �����������������60 Okinawa Self-Storage �������������������������������������������������������62 Okinawa Ocean Front Hotel & Residence ��������������30 Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa ������������������������������������40 Okuma Beach �����������������������������������������������������������������������28 PARCO CITY Shopping Mall ������������������������������������������22 Plastic Surgery KC ��������������������������������������������������������������16 Santa Monica International School ����������������������������54 Southeast Botanical Gardens ���������������������������������������50 SURASA Spa ��������������������������������������������������������������������������50 Tamaru Camping Park ������������������������������������������������������10 The Moana �����������������������������������������������������������������������������50 Troy University ����������������������������������������������������������������������52 University of Maryland Global Campus �������������������54 Waryu Dining & Bar Chura Sun ������������������������������������62 Yakiniku Restaurant GOEN ���������������������������������������������26

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