Kinoshita Circus

We weren't going to go to the circus this year since O is still so little, but we found out they only come to Okinawa like every 8 years.  So we didn't want to miss out on this opportunity to see one of the top 3 circuses in the world.

I bought general tickets at Kadena ITT.  They were having a fantastic 2 for 1 deal so our tickets only cost $45 initially and O got in for free.  The general tickets were good for any show the entire time the circus was in town but seating was limited and you may get turned away.

We attempted to go several times over the 3 months they were in town.  But if you're in the military you know how that goes.  Things kept popping up at work.  The first time Z had to go in to deal with a transpo crisis and by the time we got to the circus the show had started.  Luckily, the Ashibinaa Outlet Mall is right down the road, so we decided to check it out.  Another day we were halfway there one day and had to turn around so Z could thoroughly check a vehicle for damage or theft thanks to some drunken idiot messing around the night before.

Anyways, we finally made it to the circus the second to last day they were there.  The lines were huge, but from what my friends had said that was normal.  Everyone suggested getting there at least two hours early to save a place in line if you even wanted to think about getting in with general tickets.

We got there when the first show started (due to another work incident) at 1100.  The circus had decided to add an extra show to their schedule due to public demand to see them. They were also nice enough to start handing out numbers for shows to those who didn't get in to general seating to guarantee them a spot at a later show since they only had a few performances left.  I thought that was fantastic of them.

We decided to wait in the ticket booth line and update our tickets for a later show to ensure we'd get in that same day.  Who knew what else could happen.  After 1 1/2 hours in line, we finally reached the booth.  Upgrades were not that expensive.  We got the 800 yen per ticket upgrades which sat you between the preferred seats and the general seats.  This actually worked out better for us because we were right on the stairs that led to the tent exit.  Since we didn't make the 1st show, O only slightly napped in the car when we went to get A&W and Blue Seal for lunch while we waited.  So we had to keep calming her overly tired self down since the 2nd show was sold out and our tickets were for the 3rd show at 1530.

Once the show began, all the hassle was well worth it.  The acrobats were phenominal and did many tricks I have never seen before.  Sometimes they were a little too daring for my personal comfort.  Such as when the ladies we doing spins and tricks on fabric and then hooked their heads to the fabric with a loop, completely let go and twirled fast in circles.  I don't think you could pay me enough to be 40 or 50 ft off the ground and only supported by fabric around my head.  Crazy!

I absolutely loved the clowns.  There were only three clowns.  1 did acrobatic tricks with the trapeze artists.  The other two did skits and interacted with the crowd periodically throughout the show.  They were hilarious.  And for those of you who get creeped out by clowns because they're always smiling, these guys didn't have those huge, painted on fake faces.  They did have painted faces, but not in the same way.

The Wheel of Death was fantastic and utterly impossible to describe.

Most people I talked to really enjoyed the animal portions of the show.  Honestly, I got a little bored in this section, but I think that's because I could tell the animals were really tired and not into it.  The giraffe was cool, but I kinda felt sorry for him cause he seemed so ancient and sad.  Z and I also found the elephants highly amusing cause every time the trainer made them do a trick like stand on their front legs one of them would pee.

Overall the circus was a hit.  O really enjoyed the 1st half especially well.  The second half we had to buy her a light-up wand to help keep her happy having to stay in her seat.  She is such a little mover.  And I'm sorry, 1000 yen for a light-up wand is highway robbery.  But whatever, it's a cool souvenir.

We went to the food court playground in Ashibinaa Outlet Mall after the show to avoid traffic going over the bridge.  It was crawling and I didn't want to deal with it.  O was glad to get to play with some other kids.  When we finally left, she slept the whole way home and all night long too.  It was a long, exhausting day for us.

Okinawa Zoo - Petting Zoo and Pond

January weather is interesting here in Okinawa.  It was supposed to rain and the clouds were dark and ominous.  We decided to go to the zoo anyways.  Why not?  The Wonder Museum is indoors and it's supposed to be fantastic.  So that was our back-up plan.

Well, we got there and the skies cleared up.  Turned out to be a beautiful day.  We decided to buy a year pass this time.  I was told it pays for itself after 4 visits.  That's wrong.  It's the price of 4 visits to the zoo portion but comes with 5 tickets to the Wonder Museum.  So it's really inexpensive.

O is in that toddler stage where ramps and rocks are the big things in life.  So she spent most of our trip ignoring the animals and going up and down anything ramp shaped and trying to free any rocks that were trapped in crevices or drains.  Sigh...

However, we had two notable stops in the zoo this time: the Petting Zoo and the Pond.

At the top of the giant elevator I mentioned last time, there is a free, small petting zoo just off to the right.  One of the elephants was there to greet us on our way in. Inside, they have a long sink with soap for you to wash your hands before and after touching the animals.  It doesn't have a hot water option and it was chilly the day we went, so our hands were a little icy.  I think the animals thought so as well cause they jumped every time we tried to touch them.

Their was a table full of guinea pigs and some benches with towels next to it.  This way you could sit and hold the guinea pigs without worrying about them pooping or peeing on you.  O wasn't entirely sure about these little guys because of the way they darted around on the table.  But once she sat with one for a few minutes she liked them and was even trying to give them a hug.

They also had some fluffy bunnies to pet but not hold and a goat who really likes to sniff you.  O's favorite though were the baby chicks.  She loved that they were small and fluffy and made cute little noises.  She was also allowed to hold them by their stubby little legs.  She really didn't want to have to put hers back in the box and leave.

Instead of heading back towards the amusement area, we decided to meander down the hill.  At the bottom is a large pond with a walkway going clear across it.  There are vending machines at either end to buy fish food.  We bought a box for 100 yen.

When we got to the middle of the pond, we started feeding the fish and birds around.  Before long we had a ton of both practically begging for food.  A Japanese family came to watch and O shared some of her fish food with their little boy.  I was kinda sad when the box became empty cause O was trying to feed the ducks by hand.  Laying on the dock with her fists shoved through the bars as far as she could and dropping the food into the water.  It was super cute.

By the time we got back to the top of the hill, the zoo was about to close.  We stopped in the gift shop to search for something to eat since the snack stand wasn't open.  Luckily, they do sell some "fresh" made snacks and also an assortment of bagged snacks and candies in there.  We decided to try one of the hot bread rolls.  They were stuffed with different things: Pizza, Curry, Soy Beans, and Cheese.  We decided to try the curry bun.  OMG sooo good!  Sweet bread with slightly spiced curry = YUM!

We ate our curry bun on a bench in the parking lot while we waited for daddy to come pick us up.  :)

Other related posts:
Okinawa Zoo

Nakamurake Old House (Nakamura House)

O has a viral infection that keeps her from hanging out with other kids right now.  So we decided that the best way to get her out of the house today was to go see one of the local tourist sites.  We chose the Nakamura House.

Nakamura House is a traditional Okinawan style house, dating from the 18th century, when it served as the residence of the Nakmura family.  Nakamura House has been designated a major cultural asset by the Japanese government and is open to the public.  (See below for some brochure information)

There are several really nice aspects to going to the Nakamura House.  One, it is only a couple km down the road from Camp Foster which makes it very convenient for us to get to.  Two, it is set back away from any major streets and is secluded from the surrounding houses.  So the atmosphere is very laid back and relaxing.  Time literally seems to slow down and you become more calm. Three, the house is so well preserved and furnished as if someone still lived there that you can really get a feel for the residence and how it's inhabitants would have spent their days.  Lastly, if you aren't ready to go home when you're done looking around, Nakagusuku Castle is just a little farther down the road.

Upon arriving, we approached an old house with a pond out front.  The bottom level was a gift shop where you purchase your entry tickets.  We found out later that your entry fee includes complimentary hot or cold tea and sugar cane jelly that is served at the tables inside the gift shop.  (O liked the jelly so much the hostess gave us the recipe.  See below.)  You are also able to purchase a few noodle dishes and some other foods.  I think next time we'll eat our lunch here.  The food looked and smelled really good.  I'll definitely bring more yen too.  The gift shop was awesome and offered a large variety of items.  They sell fish food too if you want to feed the koi out front.

We wandered around the house looking into each of the rooms and seeing a flashback into another era.  All the equipment used for stabling the animals were on display, the kitchen was set up and stocked with pots and pans as if someone were going to cook dinner later on, each room was furnished with tables, chests, laquerware, etc that was appropriate to its function, and even the alters were ready to be prayed at.

Before returning to the gift shop, we walked the stone pathway around the house which actually winds up and down the walls through a narrow garden mostly level with the rooftop.  This change in viewpoint really offers a great way to experience the house from another perspective... although I'm not sure how nice it would have been if the house was still a working farm due to the rising odors from the pig pen and horse stables... but I suppose you would be used to those. :D

Nakamura House Info:
Open 0900-1730 everyday except holidays.
Adults 500 yen, 12-18 300 yen, under 12 200 yen.
Groups of 20+: Adults 450 yen, 12-18 270 yen, under 12 180 yen.







Some Brochure Info:

Family History:

The history of the Nakamura family dates back to the early part of the 15th century when Gahi, an ancestor of the family, moved his residence to Nakagusuku from Zakimi in Yomitan.  The reason for the move was because Lord Gosamaru of Zakimi had received an order from the king in Shuri to relocate his castle to Nakagusuku.  Gashi served as Gosamaru's teacher until his downfall at the hands of Lord Amawari of Katsuren Castle.
With the Nakagusuku Castle in ruins, Gashi and his family also suffered from their lord's adversity.  It was not until 1720 that fortune came back to the Nakamura family when one of the ancestors was called upon to serve as a Jitoshoku (village headman) by the royal government in Shuri.  It was around this time when the first foundations of the Nakamura house was set in.

Structure:
The Nakamura house is a typical style of a rich farmer's residence.  The basic structural method dates back to houses found in mainland Japan between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1185-1572).  The house was originally of thatched roof and it was not until the time of the 7th generation when it was reroofed using the Okinawa traditional red tiles.  This reflects the rising social standard of the Nakamura family since rigid regulations at the time restricted commoners' homes in size and appearance.

Brown Sugar Jelly Recipe (word for word from the paper)

Materials: Brown Sugar 100g, Water 500ml, Gelatin powder 10g, soybean flour with liking

1.  Brown sugar and water are put into a pan and it applies to fire.
2.  If brown sugar melts, fire is put out, and gelatin will be added and it will melt.
3.  2 is put into a container and a refrigerator cools.
4.  It is completion, when dishing up in the vessel put into mind and covering soybean flour.

Xystus Kidsland

We kept hearing about all these wonderful indoor play-places, but had yet to go to one.  Sadly, we went to this one as a friend's PCS-ing playdate.  BUT it was awesome and O had so much fun!

We were coming from Foster, so we took 330N and hung a left on 85 to get there.  Once on 85 you take a right at the first light and it's in the big shopping building on your left. 

Xystus Kidsland is inside on the second floor.  Apparently the little sushi place up there is fantastic as well, so we'll have to try it the next time we go up there.

We were a little confused about how the place worked when we first got there, but the attendants were very friendly and super helpful.  They showed us where the vending machine was to purchase your tickets and what options we would need.  You purchase tickets per person by age group.  Weekday prices for 3 hours are: babies (up to 18 mos) are 200 yen, 18 mos - 12 years = 750 yen, 13-19 years = 400 yen, and guardians are 200 yen.  Weekend prices are 100-200 more yen for children 18mos - 12 years.

We got our tickets and went in. On the left they have a storage area for your shoes and lockers you can lock your stuff up in.  There is also enough room to leave your strollers if you like.

The play area itself is huge!  They have three separate jungle gyms side by side and on each end of the room they have a play area for babies and new walkers.  The jungle gyms have ball pits, climbing ropes, tunnels, bridges, slides, trampolines, etc.  So many options to keep the kids moving and entertained.  The baby area has a doll-house, small swings, rocking horses, music instruments, balls, etc.  O really liked utilizing both areas depending on where there were kids and how tired she was feeling.

There are also lots of tables and chairs for adults to sit and watch and socialize with each other.  Or for the family to eat snacks and other foods they can purchase at the small cafe inside.  Adults are welcome to accompany their kids inside the play-place as well though.

When we left, the attendants handed us a stamp card with our stamps from this visit.  You earn stamps by spending so much yen on tickets.  Once you get so many stamps, the guardian gets in free.

They also gave O a toy gift.  I don't know if that's usual practice or if it was just for the holiday.  But she loved it.

O liked the kidsland so much, we'll definitely be coming back here again.

Okinawa Dance Night

Every year, MCCS hosts Okinawan Dance Night at the Foster Community Center the Friday after Thanksgiving as a way to relax and unwind with the family while experiencing some local culture.

Okinawan dances are passed down from generation to generation to preserve their unique local culture from the era of the Ryukyu kingdom.

This years' program featured dances that would be seen if the dancers were entertaining for the royal court.  All dances and accompanying music are performed by local nationals who volunteer their time to share their culture with the military community.  Before each piece is performed, a brief description of the dance style and its significance is given.



Unfortunately, we were only able to stay for the first half of the event.  Hopefully we'll be able to attend next year.  :)