PATREON: / kenkusumoto Likes and Dislikes about OKINAWA, JAPAN | After living here for 2 years DISCORD: / discord FOLLOW ME: Twitter: / realkenkusumoto Website: kenkusumoto.com Instagram: / kentarokusumoto #okinawa #japan
Пікірлер: 97
@uchinanchuu583 ай бұрын
For the weather, you didn't mention how absolutely hot and humid it is from April through October. Basically half the year is "the middle of summer".
@Livingwithken3 ай бұрын
Hahaha so true! I left that for a surprise 😂 until they arrive
@NJColombiano7772 жыл бұрын
I miss Okinawa! The dislikes are manageable compared to other places in the world. The island life never bothered me because even though it is island living, it always felt different to say, Hawaii. It is similar but Okinawa has its own essence. I really loved living in Okinawa and the pros definitely outweighed the cons!
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
That’s very true! And Okinawa for me is like the 90’s Hawaii lol less people and seems like it’s still catching up on todays era lol but in a good way
@MarketFocus Жыл бұрын
This video makes me miss Okinawa! LOL I lived there for 2 years in the 90s when I was in the Navy.
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Time to visit!
@MarketFocus Жыл бұрын
@@Livingwithken Definitely! 👍
@ahabrawgaming12892 жыл бұрын
Just want to clarify something about the income in Okinawa compared with mainland japan like Osaka, Tokyo ect... if you work in okinawa you'd get approximately 850yen per hour and in Osaka it would be about 1000yen you will be spending more money in Osaka compared than living in Okinawa. In okinawa you could literally rent a place for $350 per month, I think in okinawa you will be saving more money, everything there is cheap even Taxis are cheaper than mainland japan. Osaka is also pretty cheap compared with Tokyo but Okinawa is cheaper and price is reasonable, this is just one example.
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
Yeah I totally agree on taxis for sure it’s cheaper than most places in Japan, I would say yes to the cheaper rest if you know your way around some basic Japanese and a residency card. I actually say at Sukiya that they are paying around 750yen per hour haha 😂
@toriashimoji1658 Жыл бұрын
just my personal experience but I was able to make and save a lot more in Tokyo than in Okinawa (As a baito worker and student). Okinawa has high costs for electricity and water and even rent compared to a lot of places in mainland Japan. There is also the issue of transportation, in Okinawa you need a car if you want reliable transportation as there is no train.
@NuTT62 Жыл бұрын
I miss Okinawa too, I lived there for two years. I love the Island life and the ocean.
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Time to make a trip back!
@CoreyChambersLA Жыл бұрын
Okinawa is like a Japanese Hawaii.
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
That’s how I described it to everyone before as well but also it’s like Hawaii back in the 90’s lol
@ciello___8307 Жыл бұрын
both are tropical tourist destinations for their countries, and both were independent kingdom islands that were colonized!
@PeterRico-OVERFLO3 ай бұрын
They say OKINAWA is like how OAHU was in the 50's ...as in less concrete more nature...
@Nattyxxx68 ай бұрын
Ive been in okinawa for almost 4 years...omg Im loving it❤
@Livingwithken6 ай бұрын
It what Hawaii used to be in my opinion before it became expensive and overly touristy
@gregh74572 жыл бұрын
one thing i like about okinawa is the wide sidewalks without lots of bicycles. I swear in osaka its a headache staying out of their way
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Haha that’s true and I don’t like the city life anyways LoL
@charliesardo33852 жыл бұрын
hey bro its been a while fantastic to see your following! Glad to see you living your best life :)
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
Hey my man Charlie! What’s good? I’ll message you. Thank you 🙏
@toriashimoji1658 Жыл бұрын
Totally understand the language thing!! Great video showing how life can be like in Okinawa !
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching! But overall Okinawa is great!
@toriashimoji1658 Жыл бұрын
@@Livingwithken agreed !!
@zinmintun2001Ай бұрын
This is like Hawaii of America but much cheaper. I plan to retire there. 😊
@markmoreno72952 жыл бұрын
This may not be unique to Okinawa but I love the bike path from Yomitan to Nago on the West side. Something that may also not be unique are the rest stops on the pay-way. (freeways that cost) At these stops they have some pretty nice things to eat and if you ride bike then they are also a nice place to have a break. Ishigaki is another island which is a great place to visit. I rented an evening ride on a traditional Sabani boat. Iriomote is another island which has a place to cross the ocean to a speck of an island called Yubu. The Okinawan Limousine is fun to ride across the water and is pulled by a water buffalo that is sometimes shoulder deep, depending on the tide. My favorite drink is made with Shikwasa (citrus depressa) and you can buy it from a vending machine. Nothing better than to watch the sunset on the west while listening to the Sanshin (Okinawan banjo) whilst drinking Orion beer. Kampai!
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
I love the coastal roads! Some of the best I’ve seen personally. Those are quite the memorable experiences you had! Definitely sentimental!
@Ckawauchi352 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this tip. My husband and I are retiring to Okinawa and he loves to bike.
@markmoreno72952 жыл бұрын
@@Ckawauchi35 I am so jealous! But be aware to register your bike with the local police Koban. If you buy a bike there it may be automatic with the sale but I am not sure. The bikepaths are not used as much as they should be and in particular after a typhoon debris removal is not a high priority on bike paths. Please note the heavy duty way that even seemingly minor structures are tied down. If you construct your own home listen to the contractors. Even bike sheds should be tethered to the ground or weighted with heavy blocks at each corner. Whilst the classic "mamchari" is the most ubiquitous bike, other bikes may be had. I have a "papachari" which is heavy duty, made in Oregon, and breaks in half for transport in a suitxase. If I am lucky, complete all the paperwork, I will visit this September. Yes, during typhoon season.
@Ckawauchi352 жыл бұрын
@@markmoreno7295 Oh, ok. More great tips. Thank you. We may be purchasing his bike Fr the military exchange bc my husband is 6’3”. Too tall compared w the typical Okinawan consumer. I didn’t know anything about it bc I never biked in Okinawa in my 17yr residency there 30 yrs ago. Haha. But I think my husband and I will be biking as something we can do together.
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
There are many more dislikes and likes about Okinawa that I couldn’t fit in the video. But feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below 👇 Also another tip for getting the cheaper rent is the show you have a Japanese bank account and anything else to show that you are tied down to staying in Japan. This will give them more security that you won’t just hop on a plane and leave or just disappear to somewhere else.
@ahabrawgaming12892 жыл бұрын
You could just give them your passport. they can keep it if you try to do anything stupid. this could show trust don't you think so?
@Ckawauchi352 жыл бұрын
Being half Okinawan w US citizenship, I am presently doing my research on purchasing a property over there where my husband and I will retire later next year. Thank you for this interesting video. I do hope you could make another video on this topic so I can prepare the best I can prior to my visit in October.
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
@@ahabrawgaming1289 well they tend to not keep important documents of yours and normally people don’t like to give their ID to someone to hold onto unless it’s governments officials I mean you are brave to do so if you are lol
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
@@Ckawauchi35 I hope you found your place! Sorry for the very late reply, but feel free to ask me anything if you have additional concerns.
@seizethedayandlive9 ай бұрын
Sounds reasonable. I lived in Japan for about 10 years and loved it. I'll be going to Okinawa for the first time next January. My plan is to rent a car, get out of Naha and just explore; no itinerary, no hotel reservations. I've done it many times before in Japan and the countryside is where the real beauty is. Thanks for sharing this video online.
@Livingwithken9 ай бұрын
You’re very welcome! That sounds like an awesome adventure! I wish I was that brave to do that hahaha 😂
@seizethedayandlive9 ай бұрын
@@Livingwithken. Ha! I would love for people to think that I’m brave, etc but the truth is that Japan is the safest place to travel solo and without reservations. Of course it helps if you’re a guy who’s willing to sleep in the car if there’s no hotel & willing to get dinner from a Lawsons! 😅
@seizethedayandlive9 ай бұрын
@@Livingwithken I just thought of a question: I plan to use Google Maps & maybe Apple Maps. Are there other apps you think would be useful for traveling solo in Okinawa?
@sandhogssundays4 ай бұрын
I really don't know what to say to someone who comes to an island and complains that its an island.
@edwinjones1000Ай бұрын
I plan to visit Okinawa in January. I used to teach Isshinryu Karate and would like to visit some dojos. I also want to visit Kenpo dojos, Shinto temples, Buddhist temples in Naha. I plan to visit Okinawa City. How difficult is it to obtain a work visa?
@LivingwithkenАй бұрын
Acquiring a working, visa can be difficult and the process is much like the states. Either through a highly skilled profession or being sponsored by a company.
@edwinjones1000Ай бұрын
@@Livingwithken Yes. It is an uphill process. I have a BS in Business, but not a teaching license.
@REALHARSH2 жыл бұрын
It’s 1 degree C here today and raining bad! That’s not the coldest it gets here either and I’m not sure if we actually get a Summer anymore so I think I’m heading over to you now!
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
Hahaha 🤣 freezing rain is the worst. I almost want it to snow at that point lol
@KT2585 Жыл бұрын
I left my heart on Okinawa ❤
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
You can reunite with Okinawa anytime! We are still here waiting for your return one day.
@perplexed6088 Жыл бұрын
❤
@jeffdo9195 Жыл бұрын
Was on Kadena in the 80's had fun miss it heard it is not the same now
@blanco13012 жыл бұрын
Keep uploading bro new sub
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
Thank you 🙏 appreciate it!
@davidxterminateur69666 ай бұрын
Hey Ken thank you for covering this topic!! What is the best way to travel from Canada to visit the Yonaguni Monument?
@Livingwithken6 ай бұрын
From Vancouver it will be from YVR to Narita Airport and from there you will have to fly to Ishigaki island, and from there you will fly or take a boat to Yonaguni. You can also fly to Okinawa main island to Naha city then go to Yonaguni by air as well.
@rayva12 жыл бұрын
Weather sucks in Okinawa with a humidity level above 60%, but with some of the best beaches. On the upside, the last we lived up there, we rented a single 3 bedroom family home for 35,000¥ per month only because the house was built back in 60s or 70s and was situated smack in the center surrounded by o hakas. At least, the neighbors were quiet, unlike Mexican neighborhoods. The major thing I would agree with is the hospitality among the locals. It doesn’t get any friendlier than that.
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
Yeah the ohakas in Okinawa are no joke! Some are huge lol Yeah I don’t do well with humidity!
@YuuY-pz7pxАй бұрын
Hi thanks for your video! May I ask if the end of October is too cold to swim in the sea? Thanks so much! 🎉🎉❤
@LivingwithkenАй бұрын
@@YuuY-pz7px thank you for watching the video. End of October is still okay to swim! You can actually swim year round and doesn’t get freezing cold during winter. It’s definitely bearable. Although summers are significantly warmer.
@YuuY-pz7pxАй бұрын
@@Livingwithken last time I went to Okinawa and Tokashiki in May 2015, and sea water was a bit cold ahahaha. Around noon or afternoon time, it’s warm enough for me to swim. 😅😅
@LivingwithkenАй бұрын
@@YuuY-pz7px yeah, I mean I do cold plunges so anything above 55F or 12C is warm to me haha 🤣
@YuuY-pz7pxАй бұрын
@@Livingwithken btw, May I also ask there are no sharks near the coastal line of Okinawa right? And why are there so many sharks in the sea around America. A lot of news recently reported about the shark attack in America, terrible. 🙏
@LivingwithkenАй бұрын
@@YuuY-pz7px there are sharks near the cliffs in Okinawa depending on the times. But usually when the Mahi Mahi season is at its peak since they eat them right off your line. But other than that there hasn’t been any reports of attacks especially because the beaches are protected by coral. So it’s rare for them to come along the beach side. But there are areas on the island that the corals don’t protect it. Still not many to consider dangerous. There are more people in the states that swim in the oceans and plus sharks are curious animals and if they feel threatened they will attack. Wrong place wrong time is mostly the case.
@chuckiepeoples2 ай бұрын
It’s way too fuckin’ hot and humid in Okinawa.
@daddytubewatches2 жыл бұрын
Hey, Canadian here in japan since 97 moved to Okinawa 2 years ago to open another branch of my construction company, grab a beer! In urosoe
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Let’s go!! Might take you up on that!
@bethn66133 ай бұрын
Gosh. My dream. Living in Okinawa… Fellow Canadian here. Know that there’s someone in Calgary who is very very envious of you.
@daddytubewatches3 ай бұрын
@bethn6613 haha it's nice here my tattoo lady is from Calgary. I have family there. No more -45 C for me I'm from PEI . 27 years in japan was the smartest thing I did and not to many to pick from....
@anthonygallacher5104 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for that. hYou did a great job. I'm a builder, I do small remodel jobs custom cabinetry pretty much anything in the building Trade plumbing electricity concrete etc. I've been in Nagoya for the last three years with my Japanese wife. I speak very little Japanese. I'm just damn old, I can't retain information anymore. It really sucks not having any friends that I can have proper conversations with. Work is very difficult to get because my lack of Japanese. Although we own a house here we have been considering moving to Okinawa for my benefit work as well as friendships. If you don't mind can you give me your thoughts? PS, I grew up in Southern California and the big Island Hawaii so, used to the island life.
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching the video! So I’m my own personal opinion, I think it would be great to move to Okinawa if having western friends as your main goal. Although Shizuoka has some bases as well. But of course for summer like weather all year round like SolCal then I would say Okinawa for sure. The downside that I didn’t mention in the video about Okinawa is actually buying a house there is significantly expensive unless you want either an empty land or you want a old fixer upper with no ocean view. But it would depend on your budget. But all in all I did find that I felt more like I was back home in Canada, living in Okinawa because of the mix of people their. But for myself I moved from Okinawa to mainland because I wanted to immerse myself in the culture more so I’m going in the opposite direction from you lol. I hope I helped a little bit in your decision making, if you have any other questions feel free to reply here.
@stanley5394 Жыл бұрын
For what it’s worth… I’m a longtime Japan resident from the US. I’m also considering moving to Okinawa. Like you, I’m damn old, or at least getting there😅 Also, my spouse is Japanese. She’s been to Okinawa and I’ve been researching it. If you actually need to work, considering your skills, your best bet may be self-employment, with a native speaker handling the phone, paperwork, customer relations, etc. Even then, it may be slow going. I don’t know anything about the availability of jobs on military bases. As for not having friends that you can have a proper conversation with, I feel your pain. But I gather that most of the Americans you’re likely to meet will be considerably younger and only temporary residents. Long time expats are also likely ex-military, and few and far between. If you don’t drive, public transport is mainly by bus. That’s something to consider if you increasingly need to visit medical facilities. If you have kids or extended family, that’s a whole other set of considerations. For me, living in Japan has been an exercise in lowering expectations. Simply as a consumer, it has a lot of advantages because of the work ethic and customer service. If that’s not enough, but you’re not in a position to leave, then it can be useful to focus on something else you like about the place, like the weather, or something you enjoy, like a hobby that doesn’t require other people. Again, I haven’t spent any time on Okinawa. Culturally, it’s sort of a subset of Japan. But I have no reason to suspect that in most ways living there as an expat-and an expat who clearly doesn’t look Japanese-would be essentially all that different from living elsewhere in Japan. Your mileage may vary. Best of luck.
@matthewhayman33322 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the info! I’m interested in buying a place in Okinawa as an investment, is that impossible if your not a resident?
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
It is possible but you need to pay cash if you are not a resident upfront
@Richmon122 Жыл бұрын
I spent 3 mos in Southern Naha, near Tsubogawa Sta. in winter 2019 and I didn't see a single foreigner, OK maybe one.
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Don’t count your partner now 😂 joking 🙃 but yeah it really more focused on the places around the bases and nightclub areas.
@carausiuscaesar56726 ай бұрын
10 degrees is that Fahrenheit or Celsius? 🇨🇦
@Livingwithken6 ай бұрын
Celsius
@ZapDog43 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic! I am looking to live and work in Okinawa in the next couple of years and this is very helpful. However, I think you have a great vid but the technique of cutting to that strange film clip montage is annoying. You are good at what you do. You do not need those tricks. Play it straight :)
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! Will improve as I go along!
@seabisquick501411 ай бұрын
Loved all of it except the spiders 🕷️
@MelhadoDanny6 ай бұрын
❤💯🏄♂
@SwissTanuki2 жыл бұрын
So if I get about 4000$ a month I could live pretty good in Okinawa? Would be for two people and also we would be retired. Wife is Japanese and we're thinking about this option. Living right now in Europe.
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
$4000 would be enough for you and your wife, so long as you are not looking for premium view apartments or living spaces but something still modest. It’s also best if your wife can find a local agent and get the apartments that are still around the $500-$1200 mark.
@lqdxoni1 Жыл бұрын
if i had the money i would chose the rock as my home
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
It’s a beautiful choice!
@SAHANJ2001 Жыл бұрын
is okinawa Have part time jobs for international students ?
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Do you have SOFA status? Or do you have work visa or residency?
@user-gp1zv5pn2o21 күн бұрын
🙏✝️🤴👍
@OkinawaRV2 жыл бұрын
Wondering if you miss Okinawa yet??
@Livingwithken2 жыл бұрын
I miss it for sure! But also new adventures in Japan will begin and one day I will miss Japan all together. 😢
@eileenfoley6234 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful Okinawa, spoiled by the US military.
@Livingwithken Жыл бұрын
Haha 😂 some would also say being in Okinawa is spoiling them lol
@jdog0341 Жыл бұрын
Who do you think is putting a lot of money in to the Okinawa economy? Hint the military.
@Sunabe772 ай бұрын
Crazy to say that after the US military caused the most traumatic devastation to the Ryukyus since ever during WWII