Activities: Diving, all types of water sports Dangers: Habu snakes, they're extremely poisonous. Annoyances: The humidity, Monsoon season, and for some the typhoons. Health: The Local's are into health and exercise, ie eating mostly raw food, running outside at all hours of the night... Interacting with the Locals:  Be respectful, don't play loud music when you're driving, speak softly, dress modestly... the Japanese are respectful people if you respect them and their culture it means a whole lot. Also, try to learn the language that means so much to them. Transportation: The taxi's are always available, they do not accept credit cards here on island, mainland Japan taxi's do, but not here. If you are in the Marine Corps the Green line buses are available free of charge.

Naha is a busy city, it is like New York City. Travelling by car; don't be surprised at night when you are the first car at an intersection/stop light, and the opposite car turns off their headlights! It is considered rude to shine your headlights into another eyes. When the light changes everyone turns their headlights back on. Loved driving on the right side of the road!

Okinawa is basically a Hawaii that speaks Japanese. It is a beautiful island and has a lot of japanese influence. Regardless, American tavelers should take note. Okinawa was the site of a seriously horrible battle between the Americans And Japanese in World War 2. The battle was a long one and there is a lot of documentation that you can find on it. Its a huge historical impact that I think is not well known and needs to be, it was as bad, or gets really close to, Iwo-Jima. Anyway, back to today, Like i said before, its Hawaii in a different culture. All you really need to know is common sense, being polite, try something new, and relax and enjoy yourself. And try not to underestimate the currency exchange rate, if its confusing, get a calculator and try and adapt to the use of whacky numbers. Other than that you should be fine.

Great place to get away from the military and interact with the local community. Big place and a very popular tourist location on Okinawa.

Nice place, shame about the Americans.

My impression about Okinawa, Japan is that the place is more like "America/Japan." I personally think it`s cool, because the place has their own, unique history and style compare to other parts of Japan.

Okinawa`s beach is sooooo beautiful, you gotta bring swim wear and sunscreen!!!(for skin safety) and other beach stuff =)

Kadena is home to an Air Force base. The base is one of the best on Okinawa, the chow halls are the best. The city outside the base is like most in Oki, concrete buildings and American based bars and restaurants and some for just Japanese. Marines are not well received by the Airman and there are occasional inter-service rivalries confrontations. All in all nice place to visit but I would not want to live there.

I was on Oki in 1988, I did not like that island. Everything seems to be made of concrete and the roads are always under construction. The Japanese protested outside our gate once a month wanting use to go home. Another arm pit, not as bad as TJ but still an arm pit

Go to the tourism office, ask to visit the city with a student guide. That's free depending of availability of course.

There is only one resort hotel on the island, all other accomodations are pensions etc. This hotel organizes many adventure tours, which are fun, and provide everything for it. Quite convenient if you want to have some thrilling mountain tour!