Okinawa Living Magazine December 2021

contents December 2021

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8 56 out + about

features

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The Mecca of Powdery Snow Explore Hokkaido Not only known for its world-class ski slopes, Hokkaido is also a foodie’s fantasy where fresh, local ingredients are showcased in the form of rich bowls of ramen, sumptuous sushi and local delicacies.

Okinawa Soba The Noodles of the Ryukyu Kingdom The people of Japan harbor deep feelings for their noodles, and almost everyone on island claims to know where to find the perfect bowl of Okinawa soba. What’s your favorite?

restaurant review 42 On the cover Looking for a uniquely Okinawan holiday gift that will last decades?

Head over to Ryukyu Leather L.L.A.!

Celebrating the Season AMAHAJI All Day Dining Speaking to how food is a common thread throughout celebrations worldwide, the Celebration Dinner Buffet feast is designed to include an immense variety of delicious cuisine!

56 Luxury That Lasts Okinawan Leather Goods Whether it’s a cool new hobby or an incredibly unique souvenir, leather goods can give you an additional way to carry Okinawa with you always.

contents December 2021

47 fitness + fun 27 Kinser Santa Run Santa doesn’t need snow to dash, and neither do you! Lace up those sneakers for this festive 5k.

29 Kick Off the New Year Why not make a resolution to learn martial arts?

Check out the six different classes offered right at MCCS Fitness Centers.

marines + families 31 Celebrate Oshōgatsu Join MCCS Libraries to learn about several traditional Japanese New Year’s customs.

33 Code Club Your new coding community awaits! Beginner coders, software developers and all those curious about coding, this new twice-monthly meetup is just for you.

35 Come Play Deer Pong Have fun and win some prizes with this holiday twist on a popular college pastime.

dining + entertainment 37

services 51 The Perfect Holiday Gift Looking for a last minute gift idea? The Best of Okinawa Living and Omoide: Memories of Okinawa are the perfect gift pair!

Christmas at the Clubs Discover the magic of a meal—and joy of the season—at an MCCS Club, where the celebrations are sure to be merry and bright!

extras

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Comic Con With something for everyone, it’s no surprise that Comic Con Okinawa is the #1 pop culture event on island.

kids + parents 47 Christmas Magic Storytime You and your littles can gleefully join in for sing alongs, stories and crafts at the libraries on Camps Foster, Kinser and Courtney!

5 Mensôre

Feedback & Show Us!

69 Living on Okinawa

70 Marketplace Guide

DECEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 286 COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC Brigadier General William J. Bowers ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS, MCIPAC Edward S. Hutsell DEPUTY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS DIRECTOR, MCCS, MCB CAMP BUTLER Michael S. Gieseck DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR MARINE & FAMILY PROGRAMS Carlos J. Saldaña DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR BUSINESS & SUPPORT Hyun Woo Chang CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Jim Kassebaum EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Daley MCCS ART DIRECTOR Henry C. Ortega OKINAWA LIVING ART DIRECTORS Margie Shimabukuro, Emeline Toole GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Giulia Pulvirenti, Mayar Mahmoud, Rebecca Lambertsen DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHER Mia Cox EDITORIAL Angie Andrews DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Kathlene Millette, Roxine Ami, Jaci Mullally CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST Ayako Kawamitsu ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Roy Forster ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Terumi Nagai, Crystal Rivas, Ronshanda Perkins MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER Andrew Menges MARKETING ACCOUNTS Leah Scrybalo, Bethany Ramirez DISTRIBUTION Brian Jones CONTRIBUTING WRITER Kiara Klein

We welcome your comments.

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

mensôre “Welcome” to Okinawa Living

I resolve to…

As the final month of 2021 winds down, a few of us may still be wrestling with New Year’s resolutions made the first day of this year.

And the vast majority of us have probably forgotten what they were in the first place.

Most New Year’s resolutions are about improving oneself…many timeworn cliché resolutions often include quitting smoking, losing weight (or gaining muscle), getting 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 often 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 to resolve to do something meaningful AND fun?

Being on Okinawa, there are plenty of possibilities. How about learning a martial art?

Okinawa is the birthplace of karate, and there’s no better 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 in shape and give back to the community? Volunteer to coach a youth sports soccer team! Running the sidelines, giving in-game instructions and hopping up and down when your team scores can certainly get the blood pumping.

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 afternoon?

Okinawa offers 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).

All jokes aside, this year I resolve to “stop and smell the roses” more—to use each moment of the coming year wisely and savor each of them like a steaming bowl of the aforementioned Okinawa soba.

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

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

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.

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from the ICE Program and Facebook

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

The Butler Officers’ Club Sunday Brunch is amazing! I enjoy going to a high-class brunch and this is one of the best I’ve ever been to. Not only the best on the island but ranking in the top of any I’ve ever experienced. The staff is great, the atmosphere is classy and food is top class.

I’m proud that a Marine Corps club can outshine other service branches and provide such an excellent level of service. Notably, the pastry/dessert chef is top class and I’m excited to see what is being served every week.

There are very few clubs or restaurants that I’ve gone to that can match this level of dessert options. Well done and thank you for the experience!

—via ICE

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Good Morning!

This day is beautiful and so are you!

I just wanted to submit a compliment for the Foster SAC staff. My child comes home happy every single day saying how she had so much fun playing with the staff.

As a parent, it feels awesome to know that my child is being taken care of properly and that she has a good time. Furthermore, hats off to them for always greeting me and making me feel recognized.

—via ICE This does not specifically involve the [Camp Schwab] Power Dome [Fitness Center] but the management that serves there. There is a fitness center located at Camp Gonsalves (JWTC) and the team under LaPatrick Smith (Athletic Director at the Power Dome), is in charge of overseeing operations. The service Mr. Smith and his team have provided up here at JWTC reflects the utmost professionalism. For example, we had our flooring replaced at the gym and the project was completed a month ahead of schedule. Any issues that require assistance from Mr. Smith’s team get dealt with quickly and without delay. Mr. Smith makes the hour-long drive up to JWTC himself to check on the equipment regularly and is always willing to answer any questions from the Marines or staff. The Marines and Sailors do not have much to enjoy off base at JWTC and this is why it is important to keep the gym fully operational. They greatly appreciate the service Mr. Smith and his team provide to keep our gym at the highest levels of functionality.

During this time of COVID-19 mitigation, Mr. Smith and his team have given JWTC the resources to keep a clean and hygienically-sound place to exercise. I know that if anything takes place and I need help at our fitness locations, Mr. Smith will give us the support we need. Thank you for this support! Semper Fi! —via ICE Thank you for contacting MCCS Athletics and sharing your positive feedback. We are pleased to hear that LaPatrick Smith and his team at Schwab Athletics is able to provide continuous support that meets your expectations. I agree that LaPatrick leads an elite team of professionals that provide exceptional service. I would like to thank you for recognizing the effort they put in and taking the time to submit this evaluation. We will share your comments with the entire Schwab Athletics team and encourage them to keep up the good work. If you have any additional comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the program office at fitnesscenters@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

—Paul Honnold, Athletics Program Manager, MCCS Semper Fit

@phoeva_eatin Mucho mango

@milandwerlen

Cape Kyan!

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

—The Okinawa Living Staff

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

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 7

OUT + ABOUT

TEXT BY: KIARA KLEIN | DESIGN BY: MARGIE SHIMABUKURO

snow-filled solace for skiers and snowboarders alike who pine for a winter wonderland. A foodie’s fantasy where fresh, local ingredients are showcased in the form of rich bowls of ramen, sumptuous sushi and local delicacies. A vast, white terrain where the avid alpine adventurer can explore otherwise inaccessible areas. Experience Hokkaido, Japan’s powdery snow mecca and culinary haven in luxe and style.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 9

OUT + ABOUT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHATRIUM NISEKO

CHATRIUM NISEKO Established in the grand Shiki building, located in Harifu Village, Chatrium Niseko is nestled between Mt. Yotei and Niseko-Annupuri. Enjoy your stay in a modern, fully furnished, apartment-style accommodation—including a full-size kitchen. Spend your trip soaking up the scenery through the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of either the majestic mountains or charming cityscape of Harifu.

For alpinists waking to the soft white-gold light of the sun cresting the mountain peaks, the Grand Hirafu slopes are mere minutes from Chatrium.

Once ready, eagerly hop on the gondola and stop

by Rhythm Service Counter to access the array of hassle-free ski and snowboard services. They ensure your trip goes smoothly, and you spend less time

with logistics and more time playing in the powdery snow. Take a peek at the plethora of services offered at rhythmjapan.com. Exploring the amenities of the hotel, you’ll find complimentary locker rooms to store your gear and a boot drying room that ensures your foot gear is ready for the next day’s ski and snowboard fun.

And when hunger hounds, delve into the juicy, après-ski dining scene. Add elegance to the agenda when you try KAMIMURA, a Japanese and French inspired restaurant—for which Chef Yuichi Kamimura has earned a Michelin star. The restaurant is located in the lobby and offers plenty of style along with exquisite cuisine. A must for your Harifu bucket list. For more information, visit chatrium.com.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 11

OUT + ABOUT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLUB MED TOMAMU

CLUB MED TOMAMU Situated at the base of Mt. Tomamu and home to 145 hectares of lush mountainside landscape is allinclusive resort, Club Med Tomamu. Once checked in, winter enthusiasts will rejoice because this is a ski-in/ski-out style resort that has a total of 29 breathtaking, scenic slopes.

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Spend the evening at the iconic local Ice Village (*additional costs), where the warm glow of lights cuts through the crisp night, creating a magical mood for ice skating, ice slides and spirits served in ice glasses at a bar built from the snowy scenery.

After a long, thrilling day of winter sports, breathe in the aromatics of savory meats, and follow your nose to Haku—a specialty restaurant—where authentic Japanese beef is prepared to perfection and paired with complementary side dishes. Or go on a culinary quest at Itara, where the restaurant is separated into four sections—pulling inspiration from Hokkaido regions—Sea of Clouds, Bucolic Valley, Farmhouse and Rays of Sun, each serving a different gastronomic experience. To find out more, visit clubmed.co.jp.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 13

OUT + ABOUT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HIGASHIYAMA NISEKO VILLAGE A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE, NISEKO

HIGASHIYAMA NISEKO VILLAGE A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE, NISEKO Higashiyama Niseko Village, a hotel under the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, was welcomed to the winter mecca in 2020 and is the newest luxury hotel in the town of Niseko. Guests can stay in either the Annupuri or Yotei side, but all rooms promise views of the wintery woodlands and provide a different option for partaking in the pristine powdery snow of Mt. Yotei and Niseko-Annupuri.

Winter guests gain access to 30 miles of groomed slopes, which have a variety of 70 different runs and 12 miles of back-country skiing. If this sounds daunting, mountain experts at Higashiyama have created curated ski adventures, including everything

necessary for a novice’s day (or night) on the slopes.

If après-ski relaxation is your thing, wind down at Spa Chasi La Sothys and soak your aches away in the private indoor or outdoor onsen.

Once relaxed, get a bite to eat at Yukibaba, where mornings consist of fresh baked bread and evenings showcase Hokkaido’s local meats and produce. Another option is the long counter at Sushi Nagi, where you will go on an omakase-style, or chef-guided, journey of exquisite, modern seafood.

For more information and details, visit ritzcarlton. com and find Higashiyama under “Destinations.” 

Call or stop by Tours+ when ready to plan your unmatchable alpine adventure. Knowledgeable and supportive staff members located at Camps Kinser, Foster, Hansen and Schwab are ready to help you find the perfect place based on preferences and experience level. For contact information, hours of operations or to be whisked away on a preplanned winter wonderland vacation, visit mccsokinawa.com/tours.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 15

The Noodles of the Ryukyu Kingdom

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 17

Noodles are a vital part of Oriental civilization. In many parts of Asia, these long strands of celestial goodness made of ingredients such as rice, wheat, buckwheat and egg aren’t only food staples, they also represent longevity and auspicious luck and are eaten at special occasions.

It is said that noodles were originally created in China—a civilization that boasts thousands of years of history. And although no one really knows who takes credit for creating the first, it is commonly believed that noodles evolved from another, even older Asian food staple—rice.

It is a well-known fact that cooked rice is sticky. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise that someone discovered the endless possibilities of the dough-like substance created by pounding glutinous rice. Among the products born from this process were rice cakes, spring roll skins (rice paper) and the noodle.

Noodle cuisine spread throughout China like wildfire, and soon noodles were being made from different ingredients and had various consistencies. As the Chinese Empire grew and its influence spread throughout the Asian continent, the notoriety of the noodle spread as well, reaching Japan and a tiny island kingdom called Ryukyu.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 19

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The people of Japan have always harbored deep feelings for their noodles— whether in the form of today’s ramen, which are thin egg noodles in broth; sōmen (thin buckwheat noodles often served cold); udon (thick noodles made from wheat flour served in a hot broth) and the ever-popular mainland soba, which are buckwheat noodles served cold with a dipping sauce or in a light piping-hot broth.

Mainland soba, like other Japanese noodles, can be found throughout the nation, and there are many different varieties. However, Okinawa soba lov-

ers who travelled to mainland Japan before the reversion in 1972 may have a little trouble finding Ryukyu noodles— Okinawa soba wasn’t even considered “soba” in mainland Japan until 1978. This was because Okinawa soba noodles are made of wheat flour instead of buckwheat or “soba” flour.

Between the 14th and 18th centuries, the kingdom of Ryukyu was a vassal of the Chinese Empire. And during these four centuries, emissaries between the kingdom and the empire were sent back and forth on a regular basis. During this period, special banquets were developed

in the Ryukyu court to serve the visiting Chinese emperor’s envoys. Not surprisingly, this cuisine featured Chinese food and included a variety of noodle dishes.

Even after the mainland Japanese Satsuma clan conquered the Ryukyu Islands, the noodle dishes (which were called Uchinā suba) remained as a dish reserved for the court. It wasn’t until after WWII, that the rest of the populace got their first taste. Because of this, Okinawa soba was called “suba” by locals until after reversion.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 21

Although many of the uninitiated believe that Okinawa soba noodles all have the same thickness and are all the same consistency, nothing could be further from the truth. Like Italian pasta, Okinawa soba noodles vary from place to place. For example, a noodle from Awase is flat, extremely thick, and bears a definite resemblance to a fettuccine noodle. Yaeyama soba noodles from Ishigaki Island, on the other hand, are much thinner and spherical in shape—almost resembling a heavyweight spaghetti noodle at first glance.

Consistency also differs from soba to soba. Okinawa soba from Shuri, like the noodles of Awase, are quite thick. And while Awase soba noodles are far from being rubbery (especially in comparison with some varieties of mainland Japanese udon), Awase Soba may seem a bit on the soft side when compared to Shuri soba’s extra-firm noodles.

Good dashi-jiru, or the broth that the noodles languish in, is also a vital component to a perfect bowl of Okinawa soba. Like the noodle, the broth varies from area to area—there’s the sublime Nago soba and Miyako soba broth, made mostly from dried bonito flakes or katsuodashi, the light tonkotsu (porkbased) broth of Shuri and the elegantly complex katsuodashi and tonkotsu combination found in Yaeyama soba.

Most Okinawa soba aficionados agree that whatever area the soba comes from (or whatever the dashi-jiru is based on), the broth should be rich enough to complement the noodles, but never strong enough to overpower the taste of the toppings.

Modern Okinawa soba toppings can vary radically, and lately, experimentation seems to be gaining in popularity. At many shops that cater to the younger crowd, Okinawa soba can be seen topped with many unconventional items including Korean kimchi, mabo-dofu (a Chinese dish consisting of small cubed tofu in a hot and spicy meat sauce), gōyā champuru (an Okinawan staple usually consisting of bitter melon, Spam and scrambled eggs), ashi-tebichi (stewed pork’s feet—another Okinawan dietary mainstay) and others that may seem as a mild to wild form of blasphemy to the soba-purist.

For many locals, a bowl of soba wouldn’t be complete without a few hefty chunks of sōki—arguably the most well-known Okinawan soba topping. Sōki is basically pork ribs marinated in a sugary soy sauce glaze and simmered slowly over a low flame until the meat is tender enough to fall off the bone.

It is said that the “original” Okinawa soba was topped only with this stewed, flavored pork and sliced green onions—a style that can still be found in the northern areas of the island.

However, if you were to enter any Okinawa Soba shop and ask for “Okinawa soba,” chances are that it will be topped with san-mai-niku (“three-layered pork”—a cut of stewed pork similar to a thick slice of bacon flavored with a sweet soy sauce glaze), slices of kamaboko (fish cakes), fried egg strips and thinly sliced green onions.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 23

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION 1947

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Ring in the new year with great live music and entertainment!!

Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or non-alcoholic drink at midnight!

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Jingle Bell Run

Come see Santa before he makes all of his deliveries! Enjoy cookies and milk and get your photo taken with Santa before Christmas day!

Jingle your way around Okuma Beach for a fabulous and festive 4K! Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 individuals -- male, female, and under 17 categories.

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A good cheeseburger cannot become a great cheeseburger without the judicious application of ketchup and mustard and the addition of relish, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, crispy bacon and other condiments and toppings.

And Okinawa soba, like the burger, has performance enhancers—namely benishōga, shichimi-tōgarashi, neri-tōgarashi, and the indispensable kōrē-gūsū—to bring it to perfection.

Beni-shōga is ginger root that has been pickled in sweet vinegar, colored a brilliant red and sliced into thin strips.

Shichimi-tōgarashi is another Okinawa soba mainstay. This spice, which translates into “seven-spice hot pepper,” is made up of chili powder, sanshō ( Japanese black pepper), chinpi (ground, dried orange peel), and hemp, poppy, shiso (beefsteak plant) and sesame seeds.

Probably the most popular Okinawa soba condiment is kōrē-gūsū which is easily recognizable. Just look for the small bottle of clear reddish fluid (which is awamori, a local Okinawan spirit) and shima-tōgarashi (small island red pepper) solution that can be found on the table of any Okinawa soba shop on the island. Soba purists who love spicy-hot soba know to grab the bottle with the most peppers settled at the bottom of the solution— it is the most powerful.

Neri-tōgarashi use is a bit rarer than kōrē-gūsū; however many find this paste (a combination of awamori and ground shima-tōgarashi) as essential to their soba as mustard is for their footlong hot dog.

Declaring one soba shop on the island “the best” is not only foolish (unless you wish to spend the next couple of years of your life arguing); it’s also quite impossible because almost everybody on the island who loves Okinawa soba claims to know where to find the perfect bowl. 

Although Okinawa Soba Day (the day the local noodles were officially recognized by the Japanese government as “soba”) is actually in October, there’s no better time of the year for noodles on Okinawa than New Year’s. Why, you ask?

Every year during Ōmisoka, or New Year’s Eve, the people of Okinawa and Japan traditionally enjoy toshi-koshi, or “year-crossing/bridging” noodles…preferably as the clock strikes midnight. In Japan, as well as many other nations in the Orient, noodles represent longevity and auspicious luck. And eating this auspicious cuisine will bring good luck for the year to come.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 25

FITNESS + FUN

Try Scuba “Sea” What It’s All About

Hit One Out of the Park!

Hansen Open Softball Tournament December brings cooler weather to the island—a time when outdoor sports can be enjoyed without worrying about melting like a Popsicle on a sidewalk in the summertime heat. This wonderful weather not only makes December a perfect time for long walks in the park, it’s also a great time to hit one out of the park! It’s the perfect season for softball—with the added bonus of winter winds giving the ball a much-appreciated boost when you’re swinging for the fences.

Head to Camp Hansen this month to get your softball on at the Open Softball

Tournament! Happening December 11–12 at the Hansen Softball Fields, this slugfest is open to SOFA ID card holders 16 and up.

Interested? Gather your fellow sluggers and register by 1 p.m. December 6 via Eventbrite for $150. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd-place teams will go home with awards. For more information on this tournament, call 623-5558 or 645-3521.

Alternately, email adultsports@okinawa.usmcmccs.org. For more upcoming events, visit mccsokinawa.com/adultsports. 

Kinser Santa Fun Run

Are you looking for adventure? How about exploring and learning new skills, too? If so, Tsunami Scuba’s Try Scuba program can introduce you to all of that and more! As an introductory experience to diving, you can check out what scuba is all about before committing to becoming a certified diver.

Experience diving (in a pool, not open water) with the guidance of dive instructors for FREE! You don’t even have to register—just show up and have fun learning about scuba. Head to the Schwab Aquatic Center on December 7, Hansen Aquatic Center on December 8 or Foster Aquatic Center on December 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at all locations. You never know, a few hours one evening could turn into the start of a lifelong passion.

For more information, visit mccsokin awa.com/scuba. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via Facebook message (facebook.com/mccsokinawa.scuba) or by emailing mccsscuba@okinawa.usmcmccs.org. 

MP KINSER CA

Festive 5K Fun

Santa doesn’t need snow to dash, and neither do you! Come merry and bright to the Kinser Santa Fun Run on December 19.

All SOFA ID card holders ages 5 and up are welcome to participate.

The main run is a 5K, for participants 10 and up. There’ll be a 1k loop for ages 5 to 9, and kids ages 7 to 9 may choose which distance to run.

All participants will receive a Santa suit with their registration and race finishers will receive a completion medal.

If this festive fun piques your interest, register via Eventbrite by December 15 (11:30 p.m.) for $40 (5K) or $30 (1K) or on-site the day of the event for $45 (5K) or $35 (1K). For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/adultsports. For questions, please email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

—Kiara Klein DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 27

FITNESS + FUN

Martial Arts Classes Kick Off the New Year With the next season of Cobra Kai about to drop on New Year’s Eve, instead of counting down to some couch-potato time, why not make a resolution to learn martial arts yourself? MCCS Fitness Centers currently offer six martial arts classes.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a.k.a. BJJ, will teach you to defend yourself against bigger and stronger opponents. Classes are available on Camps Kinser, Foster, Courtney, Hansen and Schwab, as well as on MCAS Futenma.

Camps Kinser, Foster, Courtney and Hansen all also offer Setkudo Mixed Martial Arts classes, which combine kickboxing, Muay Thai, karate and Brazilian capoeira.

Four additional types of martial arts classes are taught on Camp Foster. Aiki Ju-Jutsu has a central focus on balance and effectively controlling an opponent’s center of gravity. Isshin Ryu Karate imparts

techniques for self-defense and is a combination of karate and kobudo (use of weapons). Shorin Ryu Karate encourages range of motion, endurance and strength and also includes kobudo and kumite (sparring). And, lastly, Camp Foster offers Mugai Ryu Iaido, which teaches katana drawing techniques—useful when reacting to surprise attacks.

Children and adults are welcome, however some classes are adult-only. Please check with individual instructors or view website announcements regarding youth classes and any related supervision policies. Martial arts classes are paid instructional classes with monthly fees. To view current prices and more details, visit mccsoki nawa.com/martial_arts. For more information or to register, stop by the fitness center of your choice. You may also email any questions to fitnesscenters@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

2022 MLK Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament The Biggest Competition of the Year is Back!

As we transition from 2021 to 2022, Semper Fit has some happy news for the New Year: the return of the biggest hardcourt clash on the island! The MLK 2022 Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament, held in honor of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., will once again take place January 13–18. The tournament is open to men’s and women’s teams from throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Happening at the Camp Foster Fieldhouse, the competition includes a 3-point shoot-out, skills competition and a dunk contest.

The 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 finalists as well as to the All-Tournament Team, All-Tournament Coach and MVP awards in both the men’s and women’s division. The skills challenge, 3-point shoot-out and dunk contest will award a champion and runner-up.

Teams can register for $350 via Eventbrite until January 9. The 2022 MLK Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament is sponsored in part

by BSN Sports. For more information, call 645-4866 or 645-3521. You can also reach out by emailing adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.  DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 29

MARINES + FAMILIES

Happy New Year!

Celebrate Oshōgatsu at an MCCS Library Oshōgatsu, or New Year’s, is considered Japan’s biggest holiday. Celebrations span from December 31 to January 3 with several traditions and customs bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new. Unlike other countries, in which folks commemorate with fireworks and loud parties, many people in Japan clean their homes, pay respects to the gods and visit family and friends for quiet get-togethers.

Learn more about Japanese New Year traditions this December at an MCCS Library near you! Make nengajyō, traditional Japanese New Year’s cards, to send to your loved ones, create a shimekazari (a special wreath thought to bring luck and prosperity) and take photos with their traditional kadomatsu (an arrangement of pine tree sprigs and bamboo) décor. Libraries will also offer yomikikase—a special Japanese story time—and traditional Japanese games for children to celebrate the New Year!

Dates and times for these events will vary by location. For branch listings, contact numbers and more, visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries. For more information on this and upcoming events, email libraryprogram@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 31

MARINES + FAMILIES

Eat, Drink and Be Safe!

Impaired Driving Prevention Month Skiing downhill blindfolded and drinking at a holiday gathering without a proper plan to get home have a few things in common­—they’re both foolish ideas and someone is going to end up getting hurt. ’Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry, but unfortunately, it’s also the season of a significant increase in drug or alcohol-related driving incidents.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, so here are some methods to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: 1. If you’re out with friends, choose someone to be the non-drinking, designated driver. Have someone every time you go out.

2. Call a taxi or daiko service. No one’s perfect, and if your designated driver slips up and has a drink, be safe and call a ride.

3. Contact a friend. This can be someone you work with or someone who lives nearby that you know is not drinking.

4. Do not get in the vehicle with a driver who’s intoxicated. No matter if you are “just going down the street,” or not.

5. Prevent others from driving under the influence. If you see someone who is about to drive while intoxicated, stop them. Hide keys if you have to, better to let them be mad than worse alternatives.

If you’re looking for a free option, check out Fidelis Rides—a volunteer-based group that offers rideshare services in the local area. For more information, visit facebook.com/fidelisrides.

Plan accordingly, and safely get into the holiday spirit! And, if you’re on the roads, give the gift of sobriety this holiday season. For more information, follow facebook.com/ mccsokinawa.semperfit.  —Kiara Klein

MCCS Youth Sports Coach Recruitment With the youth sports soccer season right around the corner (practices start January 31 and the season beings February 12), Semper Fit Youth Sports is looking for volunteer head and assistant coaches to lead teams and mentor children ages 5 to 18.

Volunteer coaching is an incredible way to engage with the community, be a positive role model for children and teenagers, share your experience and knowledge of the sport and even get some exercise—as running the sidelines giving in-game instructions and hopping up and down when your team scores can certainly get the blood pumping.

If you’re interested, and you think you’d be a responsible, positive addition to the community, download the application from

mccsokinawa.com/coachescorner. Next, print the application, fill it out and drop it off at the Semper Fit Youth Sports office (Bldg.

5952) on Camp Foster to register. Applications are accepted now until all vacancies have been filled. If, by chance, you don’t have much background in soccer but you’d like to be a coach for another sport, keep an eye out for more coaching opportunities in the future.

For information on how to become a volunteer coach, or if you have any questions, send an email to youthsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org. Alternatively, you can call 6453533/34 from a DSN or 098-970-3533/34 if using a cell phone. For more general information, visit mccsokinawa.com/youthsports. 

Design, Develop & Create Code Club at Foster Library <p> With smartphones in our pockets, laptops and tablets for on-the-go work and play, technology connects us all. Even though many of us <b>really</b> rely on our devices to get through the day, we may not realize how much is involved on the back-end of our screens. Coding, a.k.a. computer programming, is not only fun, it’s a great way to move from digital consumption to creation.</p> So whether you thought those HTML marks were typos or you recognized them, it’s time to get your code on. Beginning coders, software developers, graphic designers and all those curious about coding, there’s a new meetup happening just for you. Code Club will meet every other Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Camp Foster Library with the first month’s meetings on December 2 and 16. Use

creativity, teamwork and problem-solving to design apps, games, websites and more!

Code Club offers opportunities for brainstorming new ideas, sharing of projects and getting debugging advice. Each meeting will have a discussion topic such as GitHub or different programming languages and strategies. As the meetings progress, competitive coding challenges will be added into the mix—some of which will have prizes, too!

While it’s true that our common use of technology links us all together, nothing beats making new friends and connections beyond our screens. Your new coding community awaits! Visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries for more information. For any questions, please email libraryprogram@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.  DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 33

MARINES + FAMILIES

January’s New Beginnings Share Your Resolutions

Holiday Film Festival… …at MCCS Education Centers It’s the most, wonderful time of the year!

What, you ask, can possibly make the season better? Well, how about a festive holiday movie or two to put you in the mood? This December, MCCS Education Centers throughout Okinawa have you got covered in the festive film department like a nice warm blanket on a winter day.

On December 22 and 29, education centers throughout the island will be turning their classrooms into mini-theaters. Two holiday movies will be shown on each date—one for kids and another for general

audiences at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. And, that’s not all! Each venue will be offering snack packs on a first-come, first-served basis as well as craft activities such as coloring and snowflake making.

This event, a part of MCCS Your Home for the Holidays, requires no registration and is open to all SOFA ID card holders.

For more information, including movie offerings, stay tuned to facebook.com/ mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries. For more upcoming Your Home for the Holidays events, visit mccsokinawa.com/holidays. 

Holiday Woes Be Gone Come Play Deer Pong It’s the season of last-minute gift grabbing, seasonal obligations and a sleigh-full of expectations. But, did you know you can put your wintertime woes to the side and come win FREE gifts? That’s right, you can trade your dreaded shopping marathon for some merriment and, as a bonus, win some gifts to toss into your present pile (or gift to yourself).

By now you should be asking, how do I win FREE gifts?! Well, it’s quite simple; come play Deer Pong—a holiday twist on a popular college pastime—except the (empty) cups are arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree. Attendees will stand at one end of the table, and take turns tossing a ping-pong ball into cups with numbers written at the bottom, which

tell you which gift you won! In other words, sink your shot and you win.

If this game interests you, Dash(er) on over to your nearest MCCS Education Center on December 15 during regular hours of operation (7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) and give the old college game a try. Giveaways will be available while supplies last.

All MCCS Education Center holiday events are open to all SOFA ID card holders. Follow facebook.com/mccsokinawa. educationandlibraries for event updates and more festivities! For contact information, and hours of operation, please visit mccsokinawa.com/education.  —Kiara Klein

January’s name derives from the Roman god Janus, a deity with two faces—one looking forward and one looking backward. Known as the god of doorways, arches and transitions, Janus also symbolizes beginnings and endings, making January’s name quite fitting as it marks the end of one year and the start of a new one.

As our calendars signal the upcoming year, many of us will participate in the tradition of making resolutions. Before you do though, take a cue from Janus and look back over the past year, giving yourself time to reflect. Besides bringing up memories with a tinge of regret, consider what happy events transpired and your personal accomplishments.

Thinking about what went well in the past year can help clue you in to the path you want to take in order to keep moving in a positive direction.

To help celebrate New Year’s and encourage your new beginnings, all MCCS Education Centers will create “New Year, New You” bulletin boards. Add your wishes, goals and resolutions to set your intentions for the year to come! For those stopping by in-person between December 22 and 30, light snacks and refreshments will be available, as well.

You may also opt to share virtually via facebook.com/mccsokinawa. educationandlibraries.

Here’s to the new you and all of the positive changes coming. May you have a wonderful New Year!

And for those with goals that include furthering your education, check out mccsokinawa.com/education or call 645-7160 (DSN) or 098-970-7160. 

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 35

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

The Magic of a Meal Christmas at the Clubs It’s kind of amazing to discover the joy of a meal. Not just any old, eating-to-survive type of sustenance either, but the nourishment that fills both the belly and the heart. Gathering around the table for a delicious feast with loved ones brings laughs, smiles and good cheer! During this especially magical season of the year, you are invited to celebrate a grand holiday meal at an MCCS Club.

Christmas day buffets and à la carte dining events are making things all the more merry and bright, so take a break from all of the food prep and cleanup and allow the MCCS Chefs to take care of it all. On Saturday, December 25, we'll provide the magic!

Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney is kicking off the buffets at 9 a.m. (until 3 p.m.), with prices of $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for

children ages 5 to 11. For reservations, call 622-9413. Butler Officers’ Club (Plaza Housing) will host from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., also at $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 5 to 11. To save your table, call 645-7530.

Opening at 11 a.m., Surfside on Camp Kinser and The Palms on Camp Hansen are also serving up delicious holiday spreads.

Surfside buffet meals will end at 3 p.m. and cost $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 5 to 11. Call 637-3137 to reserve your table. The Palms will be serving their delights until 4 p.m. with pricing at $17.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 5 to 11. Reservations can be made by calling 623-4375.

And, last but not least on the buffet front, head to BeachHead on Camp Schwab if you’re looking to dine a little later in the day.

They’ll be open from 4 to 8 p.m., and pricing is $17.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 5 to 11. For reservations, call 625-2053.

Children under age 5 may enjoy their holiday meal for FREE at any of the aforementioned locations—so families rejoice!

For those preferring an à la carte holiday meal, Taiyo Steakhouse at Taiyo Golf Club is at your service. Reserve your table for brunch (7 a.m.–3 p.m.) or dinner service (6–9 p.m.) by calling 622-2020.

For more details on Christmas at the Clubs meals, head to mccsokinawa.com/clubs.

And from all of us at MCCS, we wish you a wonderful holiday! 

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 37

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Super Sips at Bonsai & LifeJuice Comic Con Okinawa Exclusives Ready to celebrate all things super at Comic Con Okinawa? For firsttime attendees and veteran comic con goers alike, one thing’s for sure: after last year’s pause, Comic Con Okinawa exclusive items are going to be worth the wait—especially the ones that taste delicious! Bonsai Coffee Company and LifeJuice Café are joining in with specialty Comic Con Okinawa offerings.

Keep yourself fueled for the main event with four drink options which are available for one week only (Monday, December 6 through Sunday, December 12).

And we know you’re already hyped up, but if there’s anything gamers take as seriously as their gameplay, it’s their caffeine. You’re sure to get the winning edge from Bonsai. Xtreme Green (a green tea and mint latte) and Button Masher (a classic French vanilla latte with playful, console-inspired chocolate buttons for toppings) are both available hot, iced or blended.

For those looking for a non-caffeinated choice, may LifeJuice Café become your new hero. Teleport yourself to a new realm with sips of the Red Universe or Blue Universe Smoothies. Cranberry juice, strawberries and raspberries provide a tart jolt as a shocking welcome to the red side, while mellow vibes from bananas and spirulina beckon you into the blue.

These four limited-edition drinks are only available from Camp Foster’s Bonsai and LifeJuice locations. For more information, special Comic Con Okinawa hours of operation or to view the full menus, visit mccsokinawa.com/ bonsai or mccsokinawa.com/ lifejuice. 

Comic Con The #1 Pop Culture Event on Okinawa Calling all comic book connoisseurs, film geeks, Pokémon trainers, level-38 sorcerers, artists and art aficionados, gamers, cosplayers and everyone in between for a one-of-a-kind experience: Comic Con Okinawa!

Whether participants' interests lie in anime, manga, eSports, superheroes on the big screen, comic books or fantasy novels, Comic Con Okinawa is sure to have something for everyone.

Do you fall into this category? Well, this is your perfect opportunity to meet with like-minded people to discuss, debate or just plain geek out over hobbies and interests!

Not just for kids, Comic Con Okinawa reaches people of all ages. Here you’ll find entire families dressed in their finest superhero costumes mugging for photos, discussion panels giving fans a chance to meet their favorite anime voice actors and Marines participating in eSports tournaments. While in Artist Alley, professional comic book and manga artists will be showing off their talents. You may even see your favorite character from the latest anime, manga, movie, comic or game come to life at the Cosplay Contest.

Speaking of gaming, Comic Con Okinawa offers a variety of RPG, eSports and card games going on throughout the day in the Community Center Auditorium. If you’re looking for that limited edition comic book, or want a caricature of yourself defending the villagers from a fire-breathing dragon, you might just find that and much more at Vendor’s Hall.

This year’s list of special guests includes musician/composer Masahiro Aoki (music producer for games such as Monster Hunter, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (HD ver.), Street Fighter V and more as well as Fuyuto Takeda (retired editor for Japanese weekly manga Shonen Jump). The third editor on the famed Dragon Ball manga, Takeda was also the inspiration for the character design for Majin Buu. Manga and comic artist Kia Asamiya (known for his manga Martian Successor Nadesico and Silent Mobius) and Naokatsu Tsuda (Anime Executive Creative Director of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) will also be making appearances.

This year’s Comic Con will feature three voice actors whose voices are known throughout Japan—including Rika Matsumoto, the voice actor/singer known mostly for her iconic role as the title character in Pokémon (Satoshi, a.k.a. Ash Ketchum). Also appearing are Mayumi Iizuka (voice actor/singer/DJ best known for her roles in Pokémon (as Kasumi, a.k.a. Misty) and Mika Kanai (voice actor/singer best known for her roles in Pokémon as Jigglypuff and in Soreike!

Anpanman as Melonpanna).

Many members of the gaming community will also be making an appearance including Hiroshi Matsuyama—Game Designer and CEO of CyberConnect2. CyberConnect2 is best known for producing the .Hack// series, Naruto Ultimate Ninja series, Dragon Ball Z: Kakorot, Demon Slayer (Kimestu no Yaiba): The Hinokami Chronicles and more. Yoko Shimomura—pianist/composer and founder of Midiplex will also appear. Shimomura is best known for her work on the Kingdom Hearts series, Parasite Eve, Final Fantasy XV, Super Mario RPG and others.

Last but far from least, Yui Kanan will be making an encore appearance. Kanan is a professional cosplayer, EDM DJ and CEO of the professional cosplay company ONIGIRI PLUS. Kanan will kick off Comic Con Okinawa 2021 as the featured DJ at the launch party December 11 (8 p.m.–midnight) at Ocean Breeze.

Comic Con Okinawa will be held at multiple venues including the Camp Foster Fieldhouse, Ocean Breeze and the Community Center Auditorium on December 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Registration is required and is open to all SOFA ID card holders and Japanese. For more details, visit mccsokinawa.com/comiccon or facebook.com/comicconokinawa.  DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 39

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Celebrating the Season AMAHAJI All Day Dining Text by Angie Andrews | Photography by Mia Cox

TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTOS ON THE LEFT PAGE COURTESY OF HILTON OKINAWA SESOKO RESORT

Location Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort 5750 Sesoko Motobu-Cho Kunigami-Gun, Okinawa Celebration Dinner Buffet December 4–January 10 5:30–9:30 p.m.

Adults ¥5,400 Children (6–11) ¥3,100 (under 6) FREE Christmas Special December 22–25, 5:30–9:30 p.m.

Additional items including Roast Turkey and Honey-Glazed Ham Adults ¥5,800 Children (6–11) ¥3,350 (under 6) FREE New Year Special (Advance reservations required) December 26–January 4 5:30–9:30 p.m.

Additional items including sushi, tempura and oyster bars Adults ¥6,500 Children (6–11) ¥3,750 (under 6) FREE Show your military ID to receive 15 percent OFF! Contact Information 098-047-6300 hiltonsesoko.com

Growing up, there was no separation between offering food and welcoming guests. If you came over, you were going to eat—period. While I already expected to have my fill from the buffet at AMAHAJI All Day Dining, the folks at Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort really hit home on the hospitality front. From the first hellos and marveling at the gorgeous surrounding views to the friendly conversations that followed, I got the same vibe we’d always usher guests into our own home with: “Hi! How are you? Come on in!

Have a cup of coffee and something to eat.”

The Celebration Dinner Buffet Menu, starting December 4, is designed to include a variety of dishes from around the world, and speaks to how food is a common thread throughout celebrations everywhere.

Sampling the buffet created by award-winning Chef Saki Yamamoto, who added Okinawan twists to international favorites, was a delight from start to finish. I can’t imagine how enormous the full buffet menu must be!

Although it may have been a gluttonous decision, I have zero regrets about going back for seconds from the appetizer section which included a Greek Salad, Beef Báhn Mi and a Seafood Platter accompanied by three sauces and fresh lemon wedges. With locally grown cucumbers, tomatoes and hints of shīkwāsā in the salad and marinated carrots and daikon as toppings on the sandwich, how could I resist?

From the seafood platter, the Cured Salmon was a big hit at our table, as was the Aurora Sauce: a classic combo of tomato purée and béchamel, updated by Chef Yamamoto with some lemon for tartness. Plus, my seafood-loving little heart adored the Moules

which tasted as if they came fresh out of the ocean only moments before reaching my plate.

Next up came all of the main dishes—Roast Beef, Seafood Paella, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Braised Fish with Dugléré Sauce and Borscht. All complemented by a few sides too—honey roasted kabocha and sautéed cauliflower and broccoli. As a traditional holiday rock star, the roast beef (slow cooked with red wine in three stages) and its accompanying sauce wowed.

While the paella and borscht battled for the title of most vivid and intriguing dish, the braised fish (cod) actually claimed an honest-to-goodness culinary certification. AMAHAJI staff members were proud to share that this fish is MSC Seafood Standard certified, making it a sustainable food-source choice.

And the Chicken Cordon Bleu? Well, let’s just say I would have packed up that whole baking dish and brought it home if that was an option. With the chicken being locally sourced from Yanbaru, and the dish reminding me of a childhood favorite, it sure seemed to equal doubly delicious.

If you can believe it, there was still more—a cheese plate with dried fruit and four types of cheese to snack on and a dessert bar complete with fresh fruit and several desserts that were almost too pretty to eat. There was a gorgeous Christmas Log Cake for chocolate fans, a Spiced Berry Compote, a Banana Tart and a Berry Mousse (which packed all the flavors of a strawberry shortcake) for fruit fans, and, of course, a cheesecake. Needless to say, the day ended just as sweetly as it started; every bite was a welcome treat and an invitation to celebrate the holidays on Okinawa. 

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 43

KIDS + PARENTS

Swim with the Dolphins …at the Foster Aquatic Center The holidays can be a stressful time with all of the shopping, planning and prepping. Swimming is a great activity for alleviating stress while getting fit in the process. That being said, did you know that there’s an even better way boost those swimmer endorphins? How about competing in (and possibly winning) a swimming competition? Smash your holiday stress at a swim meet hosted by the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) on Saturday, December 11 at the Foster Aquatic Center!

Warm-ups start at 7 a.m. and the events start at 8:05 a.m.

Not a member of ODST? Not a problem! Non-ODST participants can choose their own events, ranging from a 25m kick with a board for neophytes to a 400m free or individual medley for advanced swimmers. For the full list of events, head to mccsokinawa. com/swimteam and choose a maximum of three. Current ODST members will participate in set events chosen by the swim coach.

All swimmers will be seeded according to entry times regardless of gender or age.

For awards, the age groups are 8 & younger, 9–10, 11 & older and open (all ages). Ribbons will be awarded to the top eight finishers in the 10 and younger age groups by gender in individual events.

This event is FREE and open to SOFA ID card holders of all ages and registration is open until December 8. To sign up (or if you have any questions), send an email to mccsaquatics@okinawa.usmcmccs.org with your name, age, gender and desired events. For more information, including other upcoming events hosted

by Semper Fit Aquatics, visit facebook.com/mccsokinawa. aquatics. 

Christmas Magic Storytime Make Reading a Tradition It’s the wholesome time of the year that’s bursting with family tradition. Some of these holiday customs include decking the tree with ornaments aplenty, sending festive cards with messages of merriment, cooking up a smorgasbord of yummies, placing a cheeky little elf on a shelf to cause some magical mischief and sipping hot cocoa while snuggled in matching reindeer jammies and enjoying a movie marathon of holiday classics.

Since MCCS wants to add even more magic to your multitude of merry-making activities, the libraries on Camps Kinser, Foster and Courtney

are hosting Christmas Magic Storytime on December 10 at 5:30 p.m. You and your littles will gleefully sing along to some holiday tunes, listen to read-aloud stories and wrap up the fun with a holiday-themed craft. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries.

And if you’re looking to start up a new tradition this year, try reading a holiday book each night all December long. It is a festive, fun way to improve your child’s fluency and get some bonding in before bedtime. 

—Kiara Klein

Winter Wonderland Events At MCCS Education Centers Almost like a snowstorm, the flurry of holiday activities covering our calendars blanket the season with wonder and delight. In order to help you capture the magic of the season, MCCS Education Centers island-wide are decking their halls. Be sure to stop by for some winter wonderland fun.

First up, beginning at 9 a.m. on December 1, get festive and cheese it up with holiday-themed photo booths available each weekday during regular education center hours. Each education center will have a backdrop or 3D-arch display set up, so come by and snap your photos and selfies. The holiday displays will be available throughout the month, until December 30 at noon.

On Wednesday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., instead of finding surprises under a tree,

you’ll find them already adorning it! Decorate an ornament (all supplies will be provided) to exchange for one of the items on the tree. Each ornament can be traded for a treat, so bring the family and some creative vibes.

There will be additional activities throughout the month, too—such as Deer Pong and the Holiday Film Festival (see p. 35)—so be sure to keep an eye on facebook.com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries for more details.

All holiday events at the MCCS Education Centers are open to SOFA ID card holders island-wide.

For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/ education. While there is almost zero probability of snow on Okinawa, we hope you get lost in a seasonal storm of good cheer!  DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 47

SERVICES

Shopping for Car Lovers Just Got Easier Holiday Sales at Typhoon Motors Gearheads can be hard to shop for; if you aren’t one yourself, it can be a difficult proposition to guess what a car lover wants. Even if you’re a member of the auto aficionado community, parts can be too expensive, too specific to find easily or both. Well, it’s time to throw those worries out the window (or sunroof)! Typhoon Motors’ holiday sales make shopping for vehicle-related presents that much easier.

Whether it’s something to make their ride run smoother, brake maintenance and repair to ensure that they’re safe on the road (brakes are kind of important, if you didn’t already know) or an upgrade to their sound system— such as a brand new head unit, amp or speakers—Typhoon Motors will have the perfect present to keep them happy on the road.

The first sale on the calendar is the Kenwood Sale at Typhoon Motors on Camp Foster. For the whole month of December, Kenwood car entertainment equipment— radios, speakers, amps—will be 15 percent OFF. Also throughout the month of December, all Typhoon Motors locations will be offering 10 percent OFF all brake repairs and service.

Rounding out the trifecta is the 12 Days of $1 Lift and Stall Christmas Special. If the car-lover in your life would like some space to work on his or her own car, this is a great (and cheap!) option. The indoor auto work stalls—either with or without lifts— come stocked with tools so there’ll be zero worries about forgetting the hex wrench at home. This promotion is available at all Typhoon Motors Centers December 22– January 4.

For more information on upcoming sales at Typhoon Motors, and more info on their offerings, call your nearest location or visit them online at mccsokinawa. com/typhoonmotors. 

Share the Beauty of Okinawa The Perfect Holiday Gift Looking for a last-minute gift idea? How about sharing the beauty of Okinawa? The Best of Okinawa Living, a substantial and comprehensive pictorial compilation of everything Okinawa, covers the island’s history, picturesque locales, interesting cuisine, cultural curiosities, art, artists, national and local festivals and holidays and much more.

Omoide: Memories of Okinawa is a collection of images that will elicit fond memories of the island. Not only a perfect present for folks stateside, Omoide: Memories of Okinawa can also serve as a bucket list of places to visit while you’re still here on the island. Broken down into north, central and south sections, Omoide contains images from Hedo Point on the northern tip of the island to Chinen Cape—the southern-most point of Okinawa.

The Best of Okinawa Living and Omoide: Memories of Okinawa make a perfect pair and are available island-wide at Exchange retail facilities selling books.  DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 51

ATTEND A WEBINAR TO LEARN HOW UMGC PROGRAMS ARE MADE FOR YOU Register to attend at asia.umgc.edu/webinars or scan the QR code below and get answers about earning a degree from UMGC. If you apply for admission within 30 days of attending an Intro to UMGC Asia or Graduate Programs Webinar, your $50 application fee will be waived!

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or a relatively small island, Okinawa is packed with intriguing stores with seemingly no end to the types of goods you can discover. Along with being a true island paradise, it’s a shopper’s utopia as well. By all means, adventuring around can and should include fun at the shops—especially when you happen upon locally owned small businesses that allow your shopping trip to turn into a learning experience, as did my first foray in a leather ware shop.

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 57

Ryukyu Leather L.L.A. was established when Tsuchidasan, the president of an Okinawa leather and silver accessory company, set up workshops and a storefront in Naha, eventually expanding to include the Mihama location. After practicing leather crafting in mainland Japan, he wanted to bring this art to Okinawa and garnered much success when the company won an award at the 2003 Okinawa City Craft Contest for a randoseru (a Japanese-style backpack used by elementary school students).

The earthy and bold smell of luxury along with funky, energetic music will greet you as soon as you step foot in Ryukyu Leather L.L.A.’s Mihama shop. Surrounded by amusing display items such as driftwood, license plates, a carved wooden crocodile, a motorcycle and an actual car, shopping here is just as enchanting as the fairy tale which inspired the name of company’s premier product line: UCHIDENOKOZUCHI. Uchide no Kozuchi (literally “tap-and-it-appears mallet”) is the legend of a magic hammer from stories involving a demon or ogres, a boy who is only one-inch tall and sometimes a princess. The general belief about Uchide no Kozuchi is that it will bring out whatever you wish for when you shake it! It’s a symbol often thought to bring good fortune and wealth. When I asked Satoshi Otsuka if the products in this particular series (some of which have a depiction of the little hammer engraved on silver buttons) were lucky, the answer was a chuckle and enthusiastic yes!

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And while UCHIDENOKOZUCHI is considered the shop’s special edition series because these items have two layers of leather and are sewn by hand, all of the gorgeous items you’ll find in the store are high-quality locally crafted products created from leather imported from Italy and traditional textiles from Okinawa, including Shuri Ori from Naha and Minsā Ori from Ishigaki.

Ori means “weave” and both types of fabric are woven by hand using a wooden loom called takahata. The threads used for Shuri Ori can be silk, kelp, banana fiber or cotton, and Minsā Ori fibers are cotton. Both are dyed with traditional plant dyes, including Ryukyu ai, or indigo. Minsā Ori also features a repeating pattern of five squares followed by four squares, which is associated with repeating love, tying to marital practices from Yaeyama. Traditionally, when a man proposed to a woman, she would gift him Minsā Ori in return along with her agreement to the marriage. As for the Shuri Ori, many of the styles and weaving techniques were specifically developed for royalty and aristocrats, and the designs were passed from one generation to the next. Combining durable leather with these traditional fabrics gives the four craftsmen working at Ryukyu Leather L.L.A. the opportunity to provide incredibly unique goods.

Products in the shop are designed to follow a companydesigned pattern, making them appear standard in style, but all of the items are hand-crafted right here on island. Some are completed with the help of a sewing machine, while others are done completely by hand.

What kind of products will you find? Wallets, handbags, belts, cell phone cases (and holsters), agenda covers, keychains, bracelets and more! Many of these items can be personalized with custom carvings and beading or the addition of stamped text.

Especially unique items are the sanshin cases and duo— wide bands that fit perfectly around the outer edge of the banjo-like instruments. Several colors of duo are readily available but the sanshin cases are only made as custom orders.

The wide array of items is impressive to say the least, and Otsuka-san was friendly, helpful and full of good humor as he showed us around.

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Leather is incredibly durable—taking anywhere from 25 to 40 (or more!) years to biodegrade—s0 consider your leather products an investment. These items will last for decades if you treat them right. There is a step-by-step tutorial on Ryukyu Leather L.L.A.’s website (ryukyuleather-lla.com) to describe care practices that should be completed about every six months, but Otsuka-san showed us in person, as well.

With a shoeshine brush, scrap of a cotton sheet and some conditioning cream (also available for sale at the shop), he spiffed up a wallet in a matter of minutes.

But his best advice for keeping your leather goods in tip-top shape is to use them daily; the oils released from your hands are good for the products, so the more you handle them, the better. Brand new leather products are often stiff and become softer and more supple as you break them in which means they’ll age well, too.

You’ll also want to be careful about getting your leather goods wet. Since we all know this is bound to happen at some point during your time on Okinawa, it’s nothing to fret about. Simply make sure to dry your damp item well. The best method? Hang it up to air dry, but not in direct sunlight as that could alter the coloring of the leather.

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During our visit, Otsuka-san was kind enough to show us how some of the popular keychains are made. Being able to see the completed product side by side with the pieces used to fashion it was enlightening. As he explained about the special tools used, like a “clicker” to cut the leather base, on through how these keychains are laminated and sewn, it highlighted the dedication these artisans give to their work.

According to Otsuka-san, the keychains can take a few hours to make (excluding drying time), but larger, more involved projects can take a week or more to finish.

Feeling inspired, I decided to create my own Okinawan craft—a stamped-leather keychain—which was a lot of fun; I had a blast as each strike of the mallet added to my imprint design. This is something you can also try at the shop, and for those who thoroughly enjoy the experience, the store carries beginner leather-stamping kits that can put you well on your way to a new hobby.

You never know, someday someone might ask you about your unique leather item or how you got interested in leather in the first place, and you could have an amazing story that starts out on a little island in the Pacific. Maybe it’ll be a new souvenir or a new interest, but either way, you’ll have one more way to carry Okinawa with you always.  DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 65

LIVING ON OKINAWA

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 become more and more common in local grocery stores in December) are a popular addition to this treat—making them a unique (and surprisingly healthy) treat. You will need a medium-sized cookie sheet or baking pan to make them.

Ingredients - 1/2 cup 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) - Approximately one 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 it reaches a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover.

2. After a few minutes, the mixture will began 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 the cookie sheet or baking pan that you will be working on with potato starch.

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 starch 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).

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

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

Every year on January 11, during the days of the samurai, kagamimochi were broken and eaten in a ritual called “kagami-biraki”— which literally means “mirror opening”—to usher in a prosperous new year. The pieces of mochi were then eaten, often in a red bean soup. Nowadays, kagami-mochi are often vinyl-coated facsimiles,

because real mochi easily molds and cracks. However, the casings still usually contain individually wrapped mochi, and the rice cakes remain an important Japanese New Year’s tradition. 

Uchinâguchi Corner English

Japanese

Uchinâguchi

Would you like to dance with me?

Isshoni odorimasenka?

Majun wuduibiranai?

DECEMBER 2021 | OKINAWA LIVING 69

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