This was mentioned before, but since it is a large part of the Island a deeper dive is warranted. There’s a place that we visit often on weekend usually on a Saturday or a Sunday. Saturday, you meet all kinds of military people, army, navy, airforce, marines, and a few other force along with locals tends to bustle of excitement. Sunday, it tends be locals who prefer the quiet hum of what is affectionately known as American Village.
Filled with shops and restaurant complete with quiet nooks of coffee shops and sea wall interspersed gazebos and scattered with arbres. There’s soft easily talked over melodic music. Japanese know how to set a setting where the music lends itself not take away from a place. Loud noises are not the normal nor is haste. They set the environment for keeping your blood pressure low and enjoy the time. Much like what we used to have in grocery stores before they stop playing good music or any music at all.
We explored shops. In several shop you can find art made in shop or at least for sell. Hand blown- glass is mostly their favorite thing to use, with weaving baskets and leather next. All gorgeously handcrafted and well made. Most shops do not allow photography.
Jewelry
Exquisite, small, and lightweight are excellent descriptions of Japanese jewelry in the American Village . The hand-blown glass is infuse with bright metically earthy colors or small flowers. The astonishing part is many of them are hardly any bigger than a thumbnail if that. Additionally , Pearls are also a part of their collections.
While it isn’t expensive by any stretch. If you’re on a shoestring budget it can definitely make you appreciate the worth. They’re any where from $27 to $60 for handmade for the shops we’ve been to. Which if one knows how much time and effort plus discipline it takes in a craft knows that’s a very good deal. . Now…that doesn’t include tax which is about 10 roughly cents on the dollar. It adds up quick. If you buy 10 things for a dollar a piece that will be 11 dollars total. Or in their currency 11 yen.
Resturants
It is nearly impossible to list the restaurants. From America, to Italian to the local cuisine there are food to discover. Gluten-free, vegetarian can usually find at least one restaurant to eat at. Be aware in Okinawa, it is not easy though allergy friendly food especially if you do not speak nor read Japanese. However, if you are adventurous eater, then Japanese is delightful even when “Americanize.” Most people actually prefer the way japanese american food over american food as the law of the land require real meat and no preservatives. Salt and Sodium are high here though because of amount of seafood.
What’s the deal?
Why is the American Village such a big deal? Because it’s “home” away from home. American village is a hobbled together mixture of outlet stores, restaurants, and large parking lot. There is also a lot of italian influence in the architcal. The stores if they are not local are mostly american brand and expensive. There is one store that almost never gets mention but is truly the highlight of the American village. Christmas Land. True to its name it’s everything christmas and filled with german hand crafted ornaments, clocks, and musical boxes. No photography allowed indoors, but outdoors you can photograph to your heart’s content. It is not unusual for both locals and visitors to take selfies in front of the building. The American Village helps with homesick particularly for the military families of multiple branches bases are nearby. While different, it is a difference that is beautiful.
