Okinawa nightlife

Chriscorbine

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I am going to be stationed on Okinawa for 3 years with the US military and I was wondering what the nightlife on the island was like. Do all the military bases destory the clubs and make them crappy or what? In general what are the clubs like? Thanks!
 
Where are you coming from? (so that I can better compare it) There are some nice clubs here, and some really good ones that don't really like foreigners (for the reasons you mentioned). Mainly the bar scene is very laid back, just sitting around with friends drinking, talking, singing karaoke, but there are quite a few dance clubs too! IM me your email address and I'll give you any more info you might need!
 
In Germany now

I appreciate your reply.

Well, I'm in Germany right now. But I do travel a lot. I'll take a vacation in Thailand soon. Then to home (Florida) Then over to Okinawa.

When it comes to the "good" clubs that don't let "us" in. Do they let in respectable people? Or does it help to have a few Japanese friends to get in? Or do they not let in any white people? LOL..

Are there some NICE (reasonably priced) places. Places where you have to be dressed nice or reasonably nice just to get in? (EX, no jeans, or tenis shoes)

Once again thank you for you help!
 
Chriscorbine said:
I appreciate your reply.

Well, I'm in Germany right now. But I do travel a lot. I'll take a vacation in Thailand soon. Then to home (Florida) Then over to Okinawa.

When it comes to the "good" clubs that don't let "us" in. Do they let in respectable people? Or does it help to have a few Japanese friends to get in? Or do they not let in any white people? LOL..

Are there some NICE (reasonably priced) places. Places where you have to be dressed nice or reasonably nice just to get in? (EX, no jeans, or tenis shoes)

Once again thank you for you help!

Chris...no problem...even though some places have signs saying you are not welcome, you can still get in if you have Okinawan friends, and if you act respectfully! There are some very nice clubs here, but I'm not the expert on that...seeing as how three kids have slowed down my club nights! :p But when you get here, I can point you in the right direction! We have a local forum here on Okinawa also...it is down right now for upgrades, but should be up shortly! Feel free to ask me anything that you like...if I don't know the answer, I can at least show you where to look!
 
Culture

Yeah.. I'm not "one of those guys" therefore I'll have no problem being respectable. Seems like I'll figure the club thing out when I get there. Seems like my biggest concerns now are going to be the culture change. Oh yeah.. Is there Sea Kayaking?? Once again I appreciate your help..

Thank you.
 
Chriscorbine said:
Oh yeah.. Is there Sea Kayaking?? Once again I appreciate your help..

Thank you.


??? Anything that you can dream of doing in the water is available to you here! 🙂
 
Okinawa

Chris, when I was there last, Okinawa had many clubs that were targeted to visiting serviemen. Most were glitzy and many were low-rent. They were a little bit pricy compared to US night spots, and much more expensive than the service clubs on Kadena or with MCB Camp Butler, but you got some pretty nice entertainment and there were local women, if that is your interest.

There are also clubs that the local Japanese patronize. While you will not necessily be unwelcome in them, lack of language skills might limit your enjoyment. The locals will NOT tolerate bad behavior, so if getting rowdy is what you are looking for, don't go there.

Water sports on Okinawa were the best in the Pacific, that side of Hawaii. SCUBA diving there is wonderful, although you must be cautious of the aquatic life since some of it will kill you deader than dog feces--Okinawa waters have some of the deadliest sea life on the planet. The beaches are superb, if crowded in season. Beautiful sea scapes, worthy of canvas and brush. Get your PADI card while you are there. You'll never regret it.

Last time I was there, they were building like mad, but it will take a lot to turn the whole island into Tokyo. I think you'll have a lot of fun if you give it half a chance! No matter what you were thinking about it, don't rule anything out.

Malum consilium quod mutari non potest.

PS: learn to speak Japanese. The locals really appreciate it when you can converse in their language. It will open many doors for you that would otherwise be shut.
 
Shooter452 said:
PS: learn to speak Japanese. The locals really appreciate it when you can converse in their language. It will open many doors for you that would otherwise be shut.


To open even more doors...learn to speak Hogan!
 
CC1 said:
To open even more doors...learn to speak Hogan!

*LOL* You don't want much, do you Cee-Cee?

Hell, we're lucky if we can get them to speak English these days, and I am asking the moon to get them to learn Japanese. Any more is almost like asking for divine intervention!

I don't even know what Hogan is! Help me out here.
 
CC1 said:
The Okinawan dialect!

Soooo...I didn't know there was a difference. But that is not surprising. I was able to get by with a few phrases and a lot of English speaking Okinawans (Ryukyians?). Arigato goziamasu!
 
you can get by fine with Japanese, but if you really want to make things easier you will pick up on the local dialect. There are many words here that you will never learn in a Japanese class...many Japanese travel here for vacations and are totally lost and unable to communicate well at times because of the difference. But it is slowly fading away...I just wonder, with the increasing popularity of Okinawan bands, actors/actresses, if it will revive?
 
Yeah my intentions are to learn the language as best as possible. On bases they often have classes to learn, but I am not sure if they will have "Hogan" on base.

What is the average Okinawan's view of the Americans, and us being there?

Back on the nightlife thing, I intend to try to get the best Okinawan experience possible. I do not plan to hang out at the local on base club(s) very often or at all by that matter.
 
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