My Two Best Okinawan Quick Eats!

These two places below will satisfy your stomach without emptying your pocket and they prepare the food in a timely manner. You will keep coming back and never leave these places disappointed.  

Hotto Motto

Hotto Motto is a Bento restaurant, meaning that it is a single portion take out or a home packed meal. So, no dine in, there are seats but there are no tables. Some maybe have a picnic table and trash can located outside of the restaurant but that is it. 

Hotto Motto is so far my favorite quick place to grab a bite, at the same time its cheap. During my first tour here in Okinawa, Japan, I never knew about this place or even once stopped in. If it was not for my wife that suggested to go, I would never have been addicted to their Soy Sauce Chicken Wings and Steam rice. I know there are many other choices in the menu but like I said, the wings are addictive. 

Sukiya

Sukiya is another one of my favorite places that I have never tried out on my first tour here and yes another place my wife has suggested to eat at. What an outcome, they have different ranges of rice bowl sizes from small to mega. Not like Hotto Motto, there are seats and tables or a bar style seating. They also, have a button like a door bell, to let the waiter know your ready to order. 

The main bowls in Sukiya are thinly sliced meat drenched in an amazing soy sauce broth, which tops the steamed rice that sits on the bottom the bowl. *As you can see in the photo* Also, available is curry and rice but we never gave them a chance yet. 

MOOD-Hungry, Full & Satisfied
SONG PLAYING-YOLO by The Lonely Island Feat. Adam Levine & Kendrick Lemar

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The Unnoticeable Sunrises of Okinawa

(9th ESB Equipment Lot)

You may think that the sunrises in Okinawa is the same as the sunsets but really it's different. Sunsets are not as rare as the sunrises. The reason is because Okinawan's are mostly a night society, so sunsets are seen every night. As for the sunrise, it's really rare because all of Okinawan's are still asleep, getting ready for work or on the road heading to work. 

(Morning before the rifle range)

As for me, I get pretty lucky because the sunrises usually happens 10mins before our Morning formation. The other Marines do not see what I see, but these Marines are young and have a different way of thinking.

 (Driving to work HWY 329)

 Can you see the difference between the sunrises and the sunsets of Okinawa? I think the sunrise has a lot more, "awakening," features. If you do not believe me then why don't you roll out of your bed and stick your head out facing to the East and experience it for yourself.






MOOD- Happy, Calm and Loved
SONG PLAYING-Show goes on/Cannon in d (Violin Cover) by Peter Lee Johnson

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Sunsets of Okinawa

Sunsets on Okinawa are beautiful, breath taking and just plain amazing. My wife and I have never seen such amazing sunsets, until Okinawa. Below are some sunsets I have captured with my Iphone. Yes they have been filtered but just to only show you the actual colors and the details that the original would leave out. 

 (HWY 329, Camp Hansen)

Most of the days right afterwork, I would drive home to see such sunsets over Okinawa. Yes, I have taken these while I was driving and I do not recommend anyone doing this. If you do, you are doing this at your own risk. So overall just drive safe or just pull over and take the photo. 

 (Camp Shields)

Some of the sunsets do form something. Like this sunset above, which seems to be an evil of some sort. Crazy right? I actually slowed down for some of the photos but this one. I actually pulled over and took it. This would be the first sunset that had some crazy cloud formation. Amazing though right?

 (Chibana Housing)

(HWY 27)

 (Kadena BX)

 (HWY 330)

Above are some spectacular sunsets of how the sun enhances the sky and clouds. Also, showing how powerful the sun is by showing the sun rays that punches through. 

 (Uruma Island)

 I am not a professional photographer or a person with an expensive camera. Remember these are taken with just my cell phone and enhanced with the options on my instagram. You can only capture such views if you are fascinated or understand how mother nature works. Okinawa has not yet to disappointment me with its amazing sunsets. Remember do not drive and take photos, ensure you are doing this in a safe manner by just pulling over. Trust me here in Okinawa, you wont be the only one pulling over to view the gorgeous sites. 

MOOD-  Living, Journey & Change
SONG PLAYING-It's Time by Imagine Dragons

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Back on the road

(HWY 329 to Camp Hansen)

It has been almost a year since my wife and I landed on Okinawa, Japan. So, far it has been a great experience. Since this is my 2nd tour to this good ole island but this time it's a lot better because I get to share it with my wife. Next challenge for our relationship is getting back into the fleet mentality. Prior to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) we were stationed with 6th Engineer Support Battalion in Eugene/Springfield, Oregon. Serving as an active component in a reserve unit. Times there were rough and a lot of struggles and I am glad that place is behind us. 

Being Stationed in 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Hansen, Okinawa would be a wary one.  Just because most of the unit was still deployed in Afghanistan. Knowing their outstanding reputations as the ESB of the year. So, during the 3 months as a Remain Behind Element (RBE), I was just trying to loosen up the rusty areas as a Fleet Marine. Getting back into the routine, it was non stop inventories, correcting the junior Marines and standing at parade rest. Just the daily life as a Fleet Marine. 

Throughout this year, I can say that our road was not always smooth. Yes, there are times where we hit bumps, make U turns or take the wrong roads but at the end we always tend to find a way to get back on track. This is how unique our relationship is and there are none like it. When it's rough, it's rough and when things are smooth, it's the best. 

Overall living in Okinawa has been great. Sharing my wife the places I have been and ate at. While at the same time, she shows me these places she's found and knows that I would like it. 

(Irinoazana, Shuri Castle, Okinawa, Japan)

[Mood : Strong & Focused ] [Song Playing : Both Of US by B.o.B Feat Taylor Swift]

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One of the Military Perks

There are pluses being in the Military and as well as being stationed in Okinawa with the other 3 branches (Army, Navy and Air Force). One of the best pluses that my wife loves are the free concert that each branch sponsors. From seeing the Idol Tour in Camp Hansen to Hoobastank in Kadena AFB and to The Fray in Camp Shields. There were other concerts going on as well too.  Trace Adkins was on the Island but we were not able to make it. 

 (The Fray Concert, Camp Shields, Okinawa)

The Fray performance was awesome, the lead singer also mentioned that he had family that was in the Navy. This was the last performance on his tour. To tell you the truth, I never listened to their music and my wife mentioned that I was missing out. Anyways, it started to rain just a little but rain or shine. We will be there to reap the benefits of being stationed here and for the military spouses. 

(Idol Tour, Camp Hansen, Okinawa)

The Idol Group that came by was alright but you know mixture of beer and Marines tend to be a little roudy. This was a 2 day performance in Camp Hansen but the second day. They performed the same songs they did the first day but I can understand it was probably meant for folks who did not make it the first show. 

(Hoobastank, Chili's, Kadena AFB, Okinawa)

You know how some say that a picture is worth a thousand words? Well this one was worth waiting for 2 hours long in Chili's, according to my wife but I will get to that in a little bit. Anyways, Hoobastank performed on Kadena AFB, I have never went to this type of concert, so all I did was just take photos. During their little breaks between songs, the lead singer would keep saying to put the camera's away because whats better than enjoying a live performance? At the same time, I swear he was looking at me. Haha! So I put down the camera and stopped with the photo taking. For a little bit. Well after they performed and knowing we could not sneak into the meet and greet. We decided to get dinner at the near by Chili's. So after about an hour or 2 of talking and eating. My wife excitingly waved at someone that was walking towards her who were behind me but they didn't even acknowledge her. Well it was Hoobastank that walked in to get something to eat. So respectively, my wife allowed them to eat and not disturb them. 

A lady walked passed us who sponsored them and my wife asked if we can have a photo taken by them. She responded, "sure." Well after about 2 hours, it seemed like the lady was trying to get the group out of Chili's (The lady's Bitch Move). So my wife got up and asked them herself. Even the group didn't mind taking photos but the lady kept trying to push us along. *Keep in mind there was a curfew that was set for all active military members to be back in their home by 11pm* 

Overall, being in the military or even being a spouse has their perks and perks like these are always fun because who is going to complain about free entertainment with actually famous groups?  

MOOD- Ambitious, Loved & Thrilled
SONG PLAYING-You Found Me by The Fray

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