If Okinawa is your first overseas PCS destination, you’re going to have questions. Probably very specific questions. We've published several blogs about being stationed in Japan and are continuing on with more helpful information for living both on and off base in Okinawa.
To put your mind at ease, Jen, the Marine military spouse contributor to this post, shared her firsthand knowledge of how to make the time spent living on the island an experience you’ll never forget.
You’ll also want to read these blogs as part of your preparation for a PCS to Japan.
- PCS to Japan: Tips from a Military Spouse Who's Been There!
- Must-Know Tips for Your PCS Move to Japan
- Tips and Tricks for a Successful PCS to Okinawa
Okinawa On-Base Living
The vast majority of those who receive orders to Okinawa (regardless of branch affiliation) are required to live on base for at least a year before considering moving into the local communities. The Air Force manages the Military Housing Office (MHO). All servicemembers are required to visit the office to verify eligibility for Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) and receive guidance on housing options.
Kadena Air Base housing. Image via af.mil.
Currently, military housing renovations throughout Okinawa are underway, causing shortages in some areas. Updates include heating and air conditioning improvements, as well as kitchen and bathroom renovations. The construction is scheduled to be finished in 2023.
Families have the option to wait for a house on a different base other than their duty station. Or, when you're eligible, look to the local real estate market, which has also become tight because Japanese landlords earn more rental income from vacationers than military renters.
Here’s more information on what military housing is like in Okinawa.
Military housing requires a 98% occupancy rate on base before releasing tenants from their military housing contracts. If your decision to relocate off base progresses, documentation from the housing director and the active duty member's command is necessary.
After the paperwork is submitted, a base briefing is required. Sixty days are allotted for the military member to find a new home in a local community and secure a company to move household items. Financial implications include first and last month’s rent for your new home and about $500 for the movers. However, the military does pay about $400 for the moving fees.
Okinawa Off-Base Living
As you can expect, June through September are peak PCS months, which is reflected in the lack of off-base housing, especially in what is known as “American Style.” The military warns incoming families that their stays in temporary lodging will likely be longer than expected.
Photo courtesy Heather Whitfield.
Check out the Air Force’s guide to off base housing for more information about the process.
It’s common for renters to seek apartments near the popular south end of the island. The Sunabe Seawall touts breathtaking views and access to entertainment such as restaurants and bars. Walkable playgrounds, coffee shops, and grocery stores elevate the location’s desirability. Apartment hunters in this area should expect difficulty finding vacancies. If a property is available, it will be on the small side, likely without an oven, but with a broiling tray instead.
Jen suggests Yomitan is worth considering if your family is large or if more space is desired, as rentals are larger and more affordable in this area. The location is further away, about 20 minutes from the well known Kadena Air Base.
Military Kids' Schooling in Okinawa
Most kids whose families live in Okinawa attend DODEA schools. There are 13 in total: eight elementary, three middle, and two high schools. School registration occurs in the main office of the school your child is zoned. Be aware, Bechtel Elementary is closed for renovations between 2019-2023.
Some families choose to send their children to local Japanese schools. It is interesting to note that the Japanese school year is different than most Americans are used to. Schools off base start in April, continue through March, and schedule three vacation breaks during the year.
To begin your research for a local school, Okinawa Hai has a School Information Index to get started. Most military families highly encourage newcomers to talk with families who already live in Okinawa to get their advice and suggestions before enrollment. This is also true for exploring the homeschool programs that are popular in Okinawa.
Settling into Okinawan Life
Military families stationed in Okinawa often comment on how kind and helpful local citizens are, but a contingent of people are not thrilled Americans are stationed in their country. It’s wise to be aware of regular protests near military bases. However, respectful behavior on your part regarding the culture serves as a friendly gesture.
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Photo courtesy Heather Whitfield.
For more guidance for housing, pet travel, and school decisions, the Marines have created an in-depth newcomers guide, the Must Know Information, that all branches will benefit from, but the Army also provides a guide to Okinawa.
These are helpful maps for living in Okinawa:
Photo courtesy Heather Whitfield.
If you need more military spouse approved details for your move to Okinawa, here are a few more quick tips:
- It’s hot and humid, no way around it! It will take time, but you’ll acclimate and expand your shorts and bathing suit collection.
- Families rave about high-quality playgrounds found all over Okinawa. They are one of the amenities most missed after returning to the U.S.
- Be very clear about the lease language regarding pets living both on and off base before arrival. There are various restrictions on pets throughout the island.
- English spoken by locals is not unheard of, but it’s always helpful to have some sort of translation app on hand to make difficult communication easier.
- Try as many new cuisine items and cultural activities as possible. You’ll never know what you’re missing out on if you don’t!
- Before arrival, get a case wanderlust reading Poppin Smoke’s Visiting Okinawa, Japan: What to Do, Where to Stay, and How to Get Around.
- Travel throughout the region is easy and inexpensive. Military families often visit sites in South Korea, Taipei, China, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Make travel a habit early, and the scariness of foreign languages and transport services wears off.
- Several military spouses have recommended reading Okinawa Hai and Okinawa Living well before your departure for up to the minute events and know-how for island living.
Don’t let the distance over the ocean to Japan intimidate you! MilitaryByOwner has more information on Okinawa and general overseas PCS information to guide the transition.
Click below to download our FREE guide to moving overseas as a military family!
