Living in Okinawa: Guide for Foreigners

Okinawa Prefecture (沖縄県, Okinawa-ken) is located in the southernmost of Japan. Okinawa Island is the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, scattered between southern Japan and Taiwan. Okinawa is not only the point where both Eastern and Western cultures are living together in harmony, but also very famous with the longest lifespan in the world. Wonderful island for wonderful life.

Island life in Okinawa

Living on the tiny island with only 65 miles long and averaging five miles wide, Okinawa has its own uniqueness. Most probably, people in Okinawa are acquainted with each other and will run into a friend wherever they go.

Weather

Okinawa's climate is subtropical, where people can be in shorts and sandals all year long. The seas surrounding Okinawa's islands are considered the most beautiful island that rich of coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife in the world. Like all the other typical island attraction, snorkeling and scuba diving are ranked the top among other recommendations.

Transportation

Driving is the best way to commute and travel around in Okinawa. Living on a small island, Okinawa locals don't feel the need of subway train in their daily life. Public transportation in Okinawa main island is limited to buses, with the Okinawa Monorail is available only in central Naha. Therefore, a rental car is your best choice to stroll around Okinawa island. Not to mention, you can enjoy the amazing view of the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean along the way every time you take a short drive around the town.

Recommended Areas to Live in Okinawa

The advantage of living on an island is when it comes to picking a place to live. Surrounded with a beautiful view of the island shore, you can easily choose to live in an apartment with an ocean view at less price of it would cost in another country. These are some recommended areas to live in Okinawa below:

Naha

Naha is the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture and has a population of approximately 320,000. It is located on Okinawa Island, the largest city of Okinawa Prefecture. In central Naha, there is Kokusai-dōri ("International Avenue"), packed with stores and restaurants on both sides of the street. Kokusai-dōri ends at the central bus terminal in Okinawa, where you can also find Okinawa Monorail, the only train transportation in the prefecture.

Ginowan

Ginowan city is located in central Okinawa and has a population of about 88,000 people. Ginowan is known for having U.S. Military institution embedded in and surrounding the city. Ginowan City is located in the south on the western coast of Okinawa Island and borders the East China Sea, in which the coast offers many beautiful tropical beaches. On the Ginowan City beachfront, there is Ginowan Convention Center which offers a unique combination of business and beach entertainment.

Okinawa City

Okinawa City is the second-largest city in Okinawa Prefecture. It is located in the center of Okinawa Island, north of Naha City. Most of the area is occupied by a U.S. military base, the Kadena Air Base. In some corner of the city reflects the influence of American culture where shop and restaurant signs are written in English and prices are shown in U.S. dollars. Away from city center, there are some quiet safe neighborhoods that perfect for families. For example, nature-rich residential areas like Awase, lies along the east coast.

Urasoe

Urasoe City is located in the north of Naha and south of Ginowan. With the advantageous location close to Naha, Urasoe has become a heavily urbanized city to live near Naha but not a part of the crowded city center. This area is also known as college towns, with the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa Christian Junior College and Okinawa International University around the area. There are also business offices and shops for daily needs. Just like any other cities in Okinawa, there is U.S. Marine Corps’ Camp Kinser here. The latest plan according to the government was to extend the Okinawa Monorail from Naha to Urasoe City in 2019.

Live In Okinawa For Foreigners

As mentioned before, some areas in Okinawa prefecture have become U.S. military base. Compared to other big cities in Japan, Okinawa is more chilled, less workaholic and less traditional Japanese atmosphere.Okinawa offers a variety of employment in different sectors. There are six self-sustaining American bases, offering any number of jobs in health, clerical, food service, environmental, and education industries. Salaries on these bases are paid in US Dollars. Where the other typical expatriates' job in Japan such as teaching English and contractor workers are also popular in this area.The airport of Okinawa prefecture is now open for international flights. Okinawa is working on attracting more of tourists and attracting expatriates to live in this prefecture.

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