Did you know OKINAWA?
By parlink
@parlink (184)
Romania
9 responses
@not4me (1711)
• United States
4 Dec 06
The only Naval base on Okinawa is the naval Hospital, besides from the tiny section of Navy Kadena but it is not a port or anything. There is a naval base in Sasebo, Japan on the mainland. There are numerous Marine bases, a huge Air Force base and a small army base.
Besides from beaches, diving and resorts I guess there isn't a whole lot that would be of much interest to non-Japanese. There are many old castles and other historical sites that people like to visit. There is a huge aquarium there but you can go to one of those pretty much anywhere. It's nothing special. There is also a nice Botanical Garden place - lots of jungle to walk through.
The populated parts of Okinawa aren't that pretty to look at. The buildings are boxy and rusty looking from the weather. It looks nothing like Mainland Japan does, like with your stereotypical houses and such. Northern Okinawa is very pretty.
@usaction (649)
• United States
5 Dec 06
---The only Naval base on Okinawa is the naval Hospital, besides from the tiny section of Navy Kadena but it is not a port or anything. There is a naval base in Sasebo, Japan on the mainland. There are numerous Marine bases, a huge Air Force base and a small army base.---
Yes, this is true. I was actually stationed in Sasebo, and we'd always go to White Beach, which is where are ships would dock, when it was time to load up the Marines. I would usually take the shuttle the Kadena, the Air base. Just a few minutes away was the naval hospital (don't remember the name). I heard rumors that they were going to close it. As to if it would go back to Japan, or if it would go to the Air Force, I don't recall. It's ok, but I rather prefer mainland Japan, myself.
@not4me (1711)
• United States
6 Dec 06
I can't add a comment for some reason so I will try again here -
Last I heard (Aprilish) they were giving Lester back to Japan. Meanwhile a new hospital is getting ready to be built on Camp Foster, somewhere near the Commissary.
I've always heard that the military had to return the land in its previous state but while I was there they were still doing renovations, like painting and they redid the entire 2nd floor by the pharmacy.
@fenixtx0393 (55)
• Japan
14 Dec 06
Right now they are still renovating the USNH on Camp Lester. They keep on having set backs from the Japanese government on the ground breaking for the new hospital on Camp Foster. Right now it is supposed to be in March, but they have been trying to start constrution for the past 7 years!!! I was just discussing this with one of the midwives at the naval hospital. We currently live here (2 years and have another 3 to go), well Kadena.
@polemical (199)
• Canada
5 Dec 06
I would love to visit Okinawa!! I've spent a few months in the Aichi and Osaka provinces, and that was the most amazing vacation i've ever had. My plan is next time i visit Japan, i want to visit Tokyo, because i have a lot of friends who live there. The time after, i've planned for Okinawa. Hopefully I'll have the money to go back soon, because i really miss the country - people, culture, everything.
@SoulEraser (496)
• Singapore
3 Dec 06
nope. i haven't even been to japan. it costs a bomb to travel there and i'm only a student. but i sure will go there when i have enough money.. after i get a job, that is.
@mavijayne (429)
• Philippines
15 Dec 06
i've been in okinawa 2 years ago, i visited my relative at kadena airbase. almost 60% in okinawa are americans. because its a US base.
@xxdregas87 (3260)
• Italy
14 Dec 06
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I have felt speak to the film of kill bill of it when "the bride" it brings him to Okinawa to make a Katana be built in Japanese steel by Hattori Hanzo.
Have a nice day.
Bye.
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