ISLAND GUIDE
Camp Schwab Although one of the smaller Marine Corps installations on Okinawa, Camp Schwab is one of the most picturesque with views of Oura Wan Bay. Camp Schwab is fully equipped with facilities to make residents’ stays a better one including an Exchange/Express with a food court, movie theater, bank, education center/library and more. For the fitness-minded, the Power Dome Fitness Center offers a LifeJuice Café, free weights, saunas, personal trainers, aerobic classes, martial arts classes, a rock-climbing wall, HITT room, an outdoor functional fitness training area, and kayak rentals at Oura Wan Beach. Camp Schwab also offers a 50-meter pool with recreational and lap swimming as well as support for unit training. Camp Schwab offers three MCCS dining facilities—The BeachHead, Bulldogs Burgers and Sumo Burrito. The BeachHead is a two-story, 46,000-square-foot facility with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The BeachHead features an ocean-view dining facility and offers a relaxing atmosphere with specialty buffets and full-service dining. Meals can be enjoyed sitting inside or outside
on the large ocean terrace during one of the island’s plentiful sunny days. The BeachHead also features separate officer/SNCO and enlisted lounges offering a variety of musical entertainment. Other amenities include game rooms, conference rooms and several patio terraces. A welcome center in the lobby provides the latest island-wide information on events both on and off base. Diners can also enjoy Mexican and Asian-style burritos rolled fresh at Sumo Burrito, gourmet coffee at Bonsai Coffee Company or large all-beef burgers on homemade buns from Bulldogs Burgers inside the BeachHead. An interactive map of Camp Schwab complete with hours of operation and phone numbers is available at mcccokinawa.com/maps.
THOMAS ALAN SMILIE
Nakijin Castle 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 the grounds bloom making Nakijin a photographer’s paradise. OKINAWA GUIDE 2017–2018 | 145