A Field Trip To Jogaku Elementary

by Jessica // October 21, 2015 // No Comments

Hi to all my family and friends back home and here on the island. Today, I chaperoned my sons class to one of the local Okinawan elementary schools, Jogaku. The school was about thirty minutes from the base and I think the kids really enjoyed their visit. The local were very welcoming and provided us with lunch, we had curry with rice, it’s a favorite local dish. We toured the school and played several games in the gym, the kids got to interact with the Okinawan children and it was wonderful to see.

These shoe cubbies were at the entrance into the school, shoes come off first thing.

Their courtyard had a small garden and a chicken coop.

A glimpse into their gym with all the kiddos.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and seeing a little of the island that we call home for the next few years.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Jessica

Out and About Okinawa

by Jessica // September 3, 2015 // No Comments

Hello friends and family, I hope you all are well. It’s been a while since my last post, the kids have kept me busy this summer and away from the blog. The kids started back to school this week and I must say I’m so glad to get back to our normal routine. Today’s post is from a little camping trip we took a few weeks ago to White Beach. I wanted to capture some of the locals and the beautiful scenes along the way. White Beach is on the east side of the island, about a thirty minute drive from our home. It’s a great place to snorkel with the kids, they have campers and rooms available on base, we have really enjoyed visiting here over the summer and will definitely be back.

Little cars and low power lines, common site when traveling the road.

Family tombs are found sprinkled all over the island.

Rice Fields

Okinawa’s version of a pick-up truck.

Little local walking to the market.

Sugar Cane Fields

A beautiful spot for the locals to fish.

You don’t see many grassy lawns, most commonly, it’s potted plants on small balconies and along the sidewalks.

Locals tending to their small pieces of property.

This little guy created the entrance to his property with cans, quite unique.

A local walking his bull along the road, I guess shoes are optional. Bull fights are common in Okinawa, it’s on our to-do list while stationed here, I’ll share pictures when we go.

Tiny grocery store, with parallel parking for two or three cars. Most people walk to the markets. Drink machines are on every corner.

Cigarette Machines

Drink machines serve hot and cold beverages. Cole and I like to try the different types of coffee, prices are about the same as stateside, approximately one dollar.

Spam is a hot item in Okinawa. You can find spam rolls and dishes made with spam in restaurants.

Locals enjoying the beautiful day.

Can’t stop without grabbing ice cream. I had to lovingly force them to sit beside each other for this picture.

We made it to our destination! The water is always a comfortable temperature and crystal blue. I love seeing the Navy ships come in, makes for an amazing sunset!

Thank-you for checking out this post, I hope you enjoyed a little taste of everyday Okinawa.

Take care and have a safe Labor Day Weekend!

Jessica

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

by Jessica // May 18, 2015 // No Comments

Hello friends and family, I hope you are all well and have enjoyed your weekend. A couple of weeks ago Cole took the week off so we could explore the island. The kids had wanted to visit the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, so we made a day of it and had a wonderful time. I thought I’d share with you a few pictures from our trip.

The main attraction at the aquarium is the Kuroshio Sea Tank, this tank holds three whale sharks and manta rays, along with countless other beautiful sea creatures. This is the view from the cafe, the tank is 10 m deep, 35 m wide, and 27 m long. Not a bad view for a coffee and ice cream with the kiddos.

via www.oki-churaumi.jp

I finally got these two to stand by each other without fussing.

The touch pool was a hit with the kiddos.

They have an arboretum, beautiful emerald beaches, and a playground, which are free on the park grounds. If you are on the island and haven’t been, with or without kids it is definitely worth the trip. Check out the aquarium’s website for park hours and fees, www.oki-churaumi.jp.

Have a wonderful day!

Chikyu Zakka Warehouse

by Jessica // March 4, 2015 // No Comments

Hi friends, I hope you all are doing well. We’re happy in the Johnson household, Cole got home over the weekend after a TDY to Guam this month. His first day back we visited an awesome warehouse that a friend told me about, thank-you Michael. This warehouse is packed full of gems, I could have spent hours looking through all the goodies. The kiddos were about to pull their hair out, but I must say they had something for everyone. It’s a great place for gifts, they have everything from large outdoor furniture and statues, to silk pajamas, jewelry, just about anything you can think of. The staff was very friendly and spoke great English. For all of you stationed on the island, this place is a must. I was told the selection changes with each shipment, so there’s always something new to see. It’s just a few miles from Torii Station in Yomitan.

These are hand carved chairs from one solid piece of wood, adult and kid sizes. Prices were about $100-150

They have garden statues of all shapes and sizes.

They have indoor decor, below are just a few of my favorites.

Beautiful screens that can be used as a headboard, behind your television as a focal point, as a room divider, options are endless.

Carved doors and stools.

Endless amounts of teak furniture and carved pieces.

Unique trays and baskets.

Love these chairs and baby beds.

Directions: Chikyu Zakka is about a 15-20 minute drive from Kadena Gates 1 or 3 and only about 5 minutes from Torii’s main gate. To get there, take 58 going North and turn left on 6 toward Torii Station. You will pass the main gate to Torii on the left. A few lights down you’ll come to a Max Value on the right. Two lights past the Max Value, you will turn left. There will also be a blue sign to Yomitan Care Center at this light. After turning left, drive down a few blocks and you will see Chikyu Zakka on the left. Plenty of parking is available.

Hope you have a great rest of your week! Happy decorating!

Jessica

Nago Cherry Blossom Festival

by Jessica // January 29, 2015 // No Comments

Hello friends, hope you all are having a wonderful week. I must say it feels like spring here, and with all the flowers blooming it definitely looks it, too!

This blog post is about a little road trip we took last weekend to the northern part of the island that is known for its lovely cherry tree-lined road that takes you up Mt.Nago. The 53rd Nago Cherry Blossom Festival is from January 31st to February 1st, but the trees have already started to bloom. The cherry trees require cold temperatures to come into bloom, the pink blanket created by the trees moves slowly south from the northern mountains in one or two weeks. It is believed that the blooms represent the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It was a great day out with the kiddos, and I look forward to visiting again next year.

They had food vendors along the way selling traditional dishes and a few American favorites for the kiddos.

Yummy french fries and hot dogs!

This was soup or soba with pigs feet and what appears to be an esophagus, I’m glad Cole chose the other bowl, I don’t think I could watch him eat that.

On the way to the top of Mt. Nago there was a rest area with a shrine and locals selling oranges.

The Festival at Mt.Nago this weekend is expected to attract 200,000 visitors, with parades, street dances, and stage entertainment. It’s worth the drive this weekend if you haven’t already checked it out.

A little Japanese translation for fun.

Cherry Blossoms – Sakura

Cherry Blossom Viewing – Hanami

Mountain Cherry Tree – Yamazakura

I hope you have enjoyed this blog post, and thank you for your support. My little blog is starting to grow little by little, and I couldn’t do it without your subscriptions.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Jessica

JessicaJohnsonInteriors

Decorating on a budget, travels, and more

Okinawa

A Field Trip To Jogaku Elementary

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Out and About Okinawa

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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

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Chikyu Zakka Warehouse

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Nago Cherry Blossom Festival

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