OOkinawa

Living in Okinawa as an American

  • July 10, 2024

I have recently gotten a job offer to live in Okinawa for 2 years, working for the marine base on the island. I have heard the japanese have mixed feelings towards the Americans. And the only reason I like visiting countries is to experience the culture and to have kind interactions with native people. So for those how have lived in the island or have had extended visits, how had your experience been with the people?

Thanks!

by Much-Boysenberry-458

6 comments

  1. Just been in okinawa for a week. It was fun, nice, and the people were friendly. Though, their level of english was non-existent and typically only from the workers from India and Nepal.

  3. Dont believe what you see online at all, I’ve not had a single issue living here. I also haven’t met anyone rude or had anything rude happen to me.

  4. I’ve been on Okinawa for 7 months but have been in Japan for a little over 6 years, it’s pretty nice down here. You can get by with English some what okay if you just stay near the bases, but if you pick up some japanese there is a lot of things you can do. It gets pretty hot and humid in the summer and there tends to be at least one typhoon a year so be ready for that, you have to sort your trash and it can seem confusing at first but you’ll pick it up after about a month. Compared to mainland Japan public transportation isn’t as accessable so you will need a car to get around, make sure to figure that into your budget! As far as the whole “the locals don’t like Americans” thing, it’s only really common among older Okinawans, the younger generations don’t mind to much, just steer clear of any protests by any of the bases and you shouldn’t experience much push back for being American. If you want any more details feel free to reach out! 🙂

  5. Op I want to live in japan , will you train me and let me work with you?

  6. I was born in Okinawa at USAFB kadena , it was cool . All the people off base were friendly, even lived up north in on mainland Japan. I believe it was Misawa and the snow up there was great .

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