6 Best reasons to retire to Okinawa, Japan! Living in Okinawa!

now certain parts of japan apart from the well-known cities like tokyo osaka and kyoto some japanese cities i've already covered in my japan series can be a bit of a mystery for many okinawa would be the country's southernmost prefecture and it's probably high on the list of the unknown now it's called the hawaii of japan and would be a fantastic beach destination for retirees looking to relax next to the turquoise waters and spend their time exploring the many mysterious collection of 160 islands to potentially explore in even ones that have sunk into the ocean's depths many islands have untouched white sand beaches and seas hello everyone this is ronan blue and today's topic would be on the six best reasons to retire to okinawa just as a disclaimer the information provided is a general guide and to be used for educational purposes only now people go to tokyo for money people go to kansai for culture people go to hokkaido for snow and people can go to kyushu for tropical weather so why would people make a huge leap to okinawa and why would it be a good retirement location for foreigners would it be different from the usual hustle and bustle of most of japan and is it possible for foreigners to make okinawa a retirement destination keep watching to see reasons it could be number one facts about okinawa now okinawa would be japan's newest prefecture that has its beautiful oceans soft sand beaches and relaxed easy-going locals all set for your possible retirement location okinawa didn't actually become a prefecture until the early part of the meiji period where it was a semi-independent kingdom under the influence of both japan and china tuna fishing cattle raising sugar refining and pineapple canning were okinawa's main economic activities and tourism eventually mixed in as well the prefecture of okinawa is at the far west end of japan that is made up of hundreds of islands in southern japan the islands comprise a total of 877 square miles and has a population of over 1.4 million okinawa island is actually the largest of these islands and there are 11 cities 9 towns and 6 villages it's also where naha the capital of okinawa prefecture is located with a population of about 320 000 people now as mentioned the okinawa islands in japan are known as the hawaii of japan with its beach paradise its rich natural environment with a subtropical oceanic climate all with that unique culture and history being also the center of marine tourism in japan the japanese word okinawa actually means rope in the open ocean that sort of forms a chain along the china sea from kagoshima to taiwan but back in ancient times it wasn't known as okinawa there were lands for traders positioned in a great spot between china japan and other asian nations the chinese taiwanese and other east asian cultures close to okinawa had a much bigger influence on okinawa than japan did up to at least the 16th to 17th century and today it became a haven for divers snorkelers and undersea explorers with the abundance of coral reefs natural sea caves and marine life karate also originated from okinawa the most well-known style of martial arts in the world developed by their uq kingdom it was a hybrid between the traditional chinese and the yukion hand-to-hand combat techniques that formed during the 1400s and 1600s where most ordinary citizens were banned from having weapons now after world war ii okinawa came under the u.s military rule known as the united states military government of the uq islands the u.s government seized the land and built military camps training grounds and displaced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes but it was later handed back to japan in 1972 but the bases are still around under a security alliance between the japanese and the united states governments about two-thirds of all american military bases in japan are actually located in okinawa now there are a couple of u.s military bases in other parts of japan but the difference is they don't have the influence on the local economies and politics as a us military has in okinawa there is a kind of love-hate relationship among the locals however but because of this history it has this mix of both eastern and western cultures and the us has maintained a presence on the island since the end of world war ii and as many as 60 000 americans reside there at any one time okinawans are also in the record books as having some of the longest living people on this planet because of the clean mineral rich waters surrounding the islands it's a melting pot of cultures and cuisines and interestingly enough you'll find that sushi is less on the menu and there's actually more pork thanks to the chinese influence so it's an area of fame where people live longer than average a diet rich in tofu seaweed and yam are reasons for the longevity of the locals the climate in okinawa also ranges from subtropical to rainforest and there are a variety of plant and animal life even the sea turtles love it here returning to the beaches each year to lay their eggs while the rest of japan is cold during the winter okinawa could still reach a tropical 68 degrees fahrenheit in the colder months the ocean water temperatures are also inviting invisibility in the water is crystal clear but the modern society in okinawa today is structured where the older residents retain purpose or ikigai in their lives a meaning that is translated as a reason for being the local food and music can be seen to be clearly different than traditional japanese food and music there's the okinawa style shamisen and vocal styles number two food in okinawa goya champuru this is okinawa's handmade cuisine and the word champaroo means hodgepodge in okinawa's local dialect it's a very popular stir-fried dish that contains goya okinawa's bitter melon superfood which is known to cool and clean the body that also stimulates digestion and is high in vitamins it's a mixture of vegetables tofu meat and flavor will show you bonita broth and other flavors depending on the ingredients there are many variations of this tasty dish rafte okinawa pork belly some say that the best pork belly you can ever have would be in okinawa now there are many ways to prepare the meat somewhere with the skin on boneless pork ribs that are first lightly grilled and boiled then simmered for hours in okinawan alcohol soy sauce sugar and more the low melting point of the meat's fat is where the meat is sweet and juicy yet still light and refreshing taco rice this came into creation in the 1960s blending tacos that were popular with the american military with japanese cuisine it resulted in the unique and refreshing mix of the two in the 1980s a local restaurant decided to make it part of their menu and its popularity skyrocketed it sounds mexican and it kind of is it simply consists of the contents of taco placed on rice where you can choose your own toppings from spicy ground beef cheese lettuce tomatoes and more it's a popular and easy to eat meal and is popular in okinawa that is even served in school cafeterias number three where to live in okinawa mihama area now this area is popular among the american military it has both a sea wall and some beaches scattered around it's also an area for shopping and many small shops as well as the large jusco shopping center now the rent in the area does tend to be higher than most places around okinawa except naha because it caters to the american military there are houses of different sizes as well and with american architecture it's an area that is great for those that enjoy the surfing snorkeling diving fishing and shopping and everything is easily accessible by foot and bike mihama is another place that has a very touristy american vibe to it here you'll find people mostly from mainland japan taiwan and china it has a never-ending supply of restaurants shopping and entertainment there's even a ferris wheel that lights up the skyline at night also with the fireworks show that happens often as well yomitan area this area is becoming more and more popular is farther away from the military bases but it offers quieter neighborhoods great beaches and more authentic feel to living in okinawa compared to the americanized houses around tsunabe seawall the rent is typically lower in this area and it depends on the size of house or apartment and what kind of features it offers many people like living in the yomitan area because it's more quiet and secluded compared to the other locations it has more open space some great beaches and there's a good selection of restaurants and although gaining popularity things are still very affordable kitana kagusuku this is located on the east side of okinawa and not overly americanized but the beaches are not quite as good but it does have plenty to offer for kids and adults with playgrounds walking paths sports facilities ponds and so much more it also has easy access to the okinawa expressway so you can travel to other areas very quickly number four entertainment in okinawa the best things to do in okinawa usually involves the beautiful waters of asia pacific's lush tropical shores that's made up of a string of over 160 islands you can also discover the centuries old temples and kingdoms that influenced japan's history through the ages as mentioned earlier i actually have a whole history of japan series if interested as well but be warned it's a little on the comedic side but the uq kingdom ruled okinawa from the 15th to 19th century and is responsible for building the numerous castles around okinawa it's spread throughout the island and it's a great way to pass the time for anyone interested in a little history or a nice hike you'll learn about the destination's traditional arts and handcrafts throughout their performances and hands-on activities there's also cave exploring as well filled with stalagmites and salaxites there's also the ishigaki islands that is known for having an interior which is covered in thick jungle so you can go hiking or choose to kayak around the island as well you can even go to see some amazing underwater ruins in yonaguni a mysteriously man-made land formation that was discovered in the 1980s where you'll find some exceptional diving there as well many of the underwater ruins are made of solid rock and some experts have put the pieces at around 8 000 years ago some legends say that the ruins are part of a lost continent called mu and you'll find rock formations that look like staircases as well as rooms and walls that could all hint at a long-lost japanese atlantis there's also whale watching as well from january to march where the areas known for its humpback whales would swim in the waters off the southern coast where they migrated to japan from alaska you can even go by boat to get as close to these spectacular animals as possible sailing has also become a popular activity as well in okinawa you can go on a sailing trip with one of the local sailing companies and cruise around some of the islands or charter your own boat in ireland hop yourself many of which are uninhabited letting you feel as if you have your own private island paradise for the day you can also enjoy some offshore fishing opportunities as well being famous around the world in the azuna seas around the many islands in the waters that team with a range of exotic species you don't even need a fishing license there are a few simple regulations to be aware of and other than that all you need is fishing gear and the desire to go but the main reason why many come to okinawa is for the diving for many people one look at the beautiful waters off the coast of okinawa encourage them to dive right in and one of the best things you can see when you are under the sea is the shark life there's whale sharks hammerhead sharks and manta rays and you can go on boat tours or even swim out from the shore to some of the famous shark spots it's also home to a wide variety of tropical fish and rare coral reefs and the ocean has plenty of flat days making it perfectly clear and comfortable to snorkel and dive you can also surf okinawa being said to be one of the best places in japan to take to the waves but only the experience are welcome there because the waves usually break over reefs and tends to be shallow and could be dangerous for the inexperienced surfer there's also the kitchen of okinawa as well the makishi market it actually dates back to the second world war and there are some 400 shops where you can browse and pick up some of the most famous products in okinawa and if you're into the nightlife naha is the capital of okinawa and this is one of the best places to enjoy it where the other islands can be very quiet during the evenings you'll find yourself listening to traditional okinawan folk music which will give you an insight into the local culture of these islands and there's also the tsurarumi aquarium which is the largest aquarium in japan it has one of the largest tanks in the world the aquarium building is around 107 000 square feet and has plenty of outdoor areas with some incredible views number five casa living in okinawa now okinawa in hokkaido the farthest south and the farthest north of japan get some jokes that evolve around them because they tend to be more laid back than the bigger cities now the standard of life in okinawa and hokkaido are lower than the rest of the country and so are the average salaries as well you'll find okinawan say how prices and salaries are much higher in the bigger cities than in okinawa so from that perspective okinawa is very reasonable especially when you consider the fact that you're never farther than 3.5 miles from the tropical ocean but not surprisingly the closer you are to the water the more expensive it's going to be for rent like anywhere else in the world now okinawa is generally cheaper than other areas in mainland japan but still it will differ whether you stay in the main city naha or you live in the rural areas north and south of the island it's possible to get a single room in naha starting from 450 usd a month and in the rural areas even in cities like nishihara and not far from naha rent can start from 270 usd per month but the general cost of okinawa for a middle to upper class foreigner is about 1 955 usd a month and the bigger price difference compared with the us is the price of produce a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is ten dollars between seven dollars and sixty-two cents and fifteen dollars usd a meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant for a three-course meal would be 38 dollars between 23 and 100 usd basic utilities for an apartment would be 287 between 194 dollars and 373 dollars usd per month the internet would be 68 dollars between 42 and 125 dollars usd per month an apartment one bedroom and city center would be 556 dollars between 400 and 857 usd per month an apartment one bedroom outside a city center would be 394 dollars between 275 dollars and hundred dollars usd per month an apartment three bedrooms and city center would be one thousand five hundred and twenty six dollars between nine hundred and fifty two dollars and two thousand six hundred and forty eight dollars usd per month an apartment three bedrooms outside the city center would be 678 dollars between 619 and 1381 usd per month but if you look like a westerner it's likely the local housing agencies are going to assume you work for the military either active duty or civilian so the housing agencies at times assume you work for a company that offers you a housing allowance and will find an apartment above market rent but what this means to you is that you'll be paying more than the locals so it's important to mention to the housing agency that you don't get a housing allowance now if you push this you're more likely to get a rate that is closer but still probably not the same as a local but not being a local isn't always a bad thing there are some cases where the housing agencies are used to catering to americans and their needs things like the key money a gift japanese locals are required to give landlords which are often one to two times the amount of monthly rent are often not required for westerners and if you have a japanese partner you'll most likely get a great monthly rate but it does cost a lot for moving expenses so that's why many japanese stay put at one location for a long time once they move in the cost of living for an average okinawan is about one thousand six hundred and eight dollars and it seems affordable according to the average monthly salary which is two thousand four hundred and seventy four dollars per month but some living costs can be high anything you want from the mainland or abroad tend to be expensive and you'll get used to eating less beef if you want to save money and you'll sometimes have to pay an extra delivery charge for okinawa and you most likely need a car as well which means car insurance annual checks maintenance and gasoline some of the fruits and vegetables are known to be costly as well like fresh mangoes and fresh strawberries even at the local markets but surprisingly vegetables are super affordable some local produce is cheap to free depending on your neighbors so you'll be happy with the rent prices and the vegetables and everything else you might have to pay more for number six pros and cons for living in okinawa now let's talk about the pros and cons of living in okinawa japan starting with the pros but keep in mind that it's always about a matter of perspective mainland japan comparison life is less hectic in okinawa people take it a little easier and there's less focus on long working hours and less stress and once you get to know people they are quite open and talkative and living costs can be low as well rent and property can still be quite inexpensive as long as you don't want to live in the boom areas naha or miyakojima the weather is also great year round summer is slightly less hot than on the mainland and the sea breeze helps cut the heat further winter is never really cold as well and it's great for outdoor sports for retirees and for anyone sensitive to excess heat or cold longest lifespans okinawan people are called the land of the immortals residents here have among the longest life spans okinawans have also been found to have low rates of heart disease stroke cancer and diabetes working in okinawa most of the jobs available to english speakers are located on u.s military installations now there is a large variety but are competitive keep in mind that many government service positions spouses get priority over other civilians but there are any number of jobs in health food service environmental and education industries and the salaries on the basis are paid in u.s dollars and higher the education needed for the position the less competitive it will be due to there being fewer qualified applicants now there are off-base work as well but in the majority of the cases only if you're bilingual if not the options are limited but it doesn't mean it's impossible most jobs are limited to teaching english either at a private or public school english teaching is a very popular way for americans to live and work in mainland japan so it's possible in okinawa as well healthy diets the traditional local diet is rich in vegetables soy products and seafood a diet that works well for human health they use foods that include sweet potatoes green leafy or yellow root vegetables tofu bitter lemon and modest amounts of seafood lean meat fruit and tea drinking in public is legal now for those that like drinking it's legal to do so in public drinking and driving is very strict but drinking in public is perfectly legal you can drink in the park on the street pretty much anywhere except in a vehicle and in public areas on u.s regulated areas okinawan culture despite what you think of okinawans they are not japanese they are okinawans and they have a lot of pride in their identity although mainland japanese culture does have a big influence okinawan culture is more laid back than mainland japan the pace is slower many are less hesitant to speak their minds and if you like american culture it's heavily influenced by american culture there are anywhere between forty thousand and eighty thousand military personnel accompanying family members and civilian employees and contractors at any given time and although okinawa has had a rocky history with the u.s americans who travel or live here everyone is generally treated with respect from locals as long as the same respect is given back and as for culture shock with the american military presence in okinawa there is less of a culture shock compared to being on the japanese mainland now okinawa is technically part of japan the culture is noticeably different but to the average american military person getting sent to japan for the first time they would be hard to find the differences at first glance it takes years of being in japan and interacting with both okinawans and japanese to see the differences between them whether in okinawa now there's a subtropical climate in okinawa experiences cool winters and hot humid summers the coldest part of the year is in january and february with an average minimum temperature of 55.2 degrees fahrenheit an average max temperature of 65.1 degrees fahrenheit the hottest part of the year is july and august with an average minimum temperature of 78.4 degrees fahrenheit and an average max temperature of 87.8 degrees fahrenheit schools in okinawa if you're moving to okinawa with kids you have plenty of options for schools it has 13 us department of defense schools and around 15 international schools that provide learning in english classrooms now let's talk about the cons island life now living in okinawa you'll gain that slower pace of life outside the hustle and bustle of the largest cities but it could sometimes feel a bit isolated from the world you may even miss the city lights the shopping malls and amusement parks the first is a small narrow island with only a small percentage of land actually usable and developed of that small percentage u.s military bases are covering some of it but to keep yourself busy there are many activities and sites that are within close driving distance and there is no shortage of mountains forests caves and beaches to explore as well and with others who share the same interest so the turquoise oceans beckons with all its snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities but of course you'll need to really love the oceans housing in okinawa now if you're moving from a western country the houses and apartments are much smaller which is the same throughout japan but it might not be an issue if you're single or moving to okinawa alone but as a family it can take a little getting used to typhoons and okinawa now okinawa is called the typhoon alley and is in the pacific where the world's most powerful typhoons occur it's normal in okinawa that mostly happens between the months of june and november stats actually showed that between 2009 and 2019 the yearly average number of typhoons that approached the okinawa was 25.2 so that's a lot but most of them don't hit directly but a handful does come close enough to bring significant weather but even when okinawa is hit head on the island is pretty resilient the infrastructure is built to last and because residents are usually aware days in advance of a typhoon there's plenty of time to prepare driving in okinawa okinawans drive on the left side of the road where the max speed limit is 50 miles per hour the average speed limit on the main roads is 35 miles per hour now okinawa actually has much more of a car culture than mainland japan if you're going to be living there life will be much easier with a car but that means there's the car insurance annual checks and maintenance more on your expense list as mentioned before traffic in okinawa can also get backed up as well during rush hour but the drivers aren't impatient or rude they are in fact very polite and patient on top of that with the low speed limits driving in okinawa is pretty safe and road signs are all in japanese and english as well so navigating the roads are relatively easy as well the public transportation is a bit limited compared to the mainland and although it does have a rail system it's limited to the capital naha now there is a bus system but it could be slow in the humid months so waiting for that bus means you'll be drenched in sweat so the main city of naha where the airport is located has a good public transit system but once you leave the city you're on your own finding work although this is a retirement vlog there are still a few people that are still interested in working during the retirement as well if you're coming with your spouse work could be a challenge to find although not impossible it will most likely take you longer than it does back home to find one and even if a job is found many say it's a challenging work environment whether on base or off base on base is a constant turnover in staff many only staying for short periods and working off base integrating and feeling truly part of the culture can be a challenge and take quite some time to adjust to you but of course this could be said from anywhere in japan it's important to note too that americans aren't the only ones who work on the base there's a large japanese workforce on all bases that are employed by the japanese government and also to mention japan only issues work visas for jobs that require a higher level of skill there are about 16 types of jobs you can do which are listed on the ministry of foreign affairs of japan's website under the working visa heading but in most situations if you want a visa you'll need to find a sponsor for a work visa this means finding an organization that will invite you to work with them and will help coordinate your visa but the wages are lower and the range of jobs is limited in okinawa so you'll need to find a job you like before you move in there is an i.t scene but of course quite small young people don't want to work on the farms as well but some foreigners do choose to work there as an option as well there's actually some programs set up for this but there are many young okinawans who head off to tokyo for work because there isn't any work and there is some level of peer pressure involved to leave to find a job on the mainland as well social support now you would think that because there are more americans on the island this would mean that there would be opportunities to make friends with fellow english speakers but most foreigners in okinawa are there for a limited time as mentioned earlier friends can come and go pretty quickly and finding a long-term tight-knit group of friends can take a while to build up the tokyo salaryman mentality now there's a running joke in okinawa where a tokyo salaryman gets fed up with their daily grind in the big city and decides to come to okinawa to open a cafe diving shop bar or ramen shop but what happens is it turns out to be a much more competitive insecure low margin business with no place for beginners after a few years in a divorce they give up and return to the mainland the hawaii in japan isn't the paradise they initially thought and this thought could apply to any foreigner as well closed society now it could at times take time to get to know the local people many people moving to okinawa from the mainland end up only socializing with each other to whom they are familiar with it's the inaka countryside and if you don't involve yourself in the local community they most likely won't accept you now if something does happen you'll always be an outsider to them language most native okinawans especially the older generation don't speak english japanese is the official language but they are very friendly and welcoming people there's also the okinawan language which has several different dialects okinawan is mostly spoken amongst the older population exclusively but most of the younger generation does not speak okinawan but of course there are still some that do speak a little english the younger generation but they can be a little shy in using it the central part of the island close to the major us military installations is where you're most likely to interact with other locals who speak a decent amount of english but most of the restaurants have an english menu and if not it's very common they have photos of food on the menu public schools in okinawa now there are public schools in okinawa and some children who are non-japanese citizens attend these schools although it could be challenging at times where although there are quite a few foreigners in okinawa most don't go to public schools because bullying occurs although it's less of a problem and less intense in okinawa than mainland japan but something to be aware of but not only is there the bullying there's also the workload and time commitment compared to the west where 12 hour days are common for students rigorous tests are often and sports clubs require practicing on the weekend but overall okinawa has a large variety of things to offer foreigners who are serious about retiring there and those who enjoy the ocean will probably fall in love with the island you're never far from the water and the cost of living to be that close is very reasonable but looking at all of the cons for some of the combination of these problems may make it unattractive and also anyone looking to start a family can find the american presence a huge turn off and many of the mainland japanese themselves don't move there because of its limited job market and a distance from friends and family why would you retire to okinawa when your kids and grandkids are in tokyo but bottom line if you are a retiree not looking for a job have a lot of financial support a love of the ocean and beaches the healthy lifestyle with some of the oldest and friendliest people that you're looking to fit in with this might be that place but keep in mind it is japan and japan is expensive but in okinawa if you live like the locals you'll be just fine well tell me what you think of living in okinawa in the comment section below if you like this vlog please don't forget to give me a like subscribe if you haven't already and hit that notification bell for more on my coming content here thank you for watching my vlog be free gain wealth and travel far

Channel: RoninBlue

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Keywords: okinawa japan, pros and cons of living in Okinawa Japan, cost of living in okinawa japan, where to live in okinawa japan, best things to eat in okinawa japan, what to do in Okinawa Japan, okinawa, how to retire in Okinawa, retire in okinawa japan, living in japan, life in japan

Id: R8C3HYPYv70

Length: 32min 25sec (1945 seconds)

Published: Fri Apr 02 2021