A trip to Okinawa would hardly feel complete without American Village.
The original account traces its development to Hamby Airfield, which had occupied a coastal part of the U.S. military’s Camp Foster. The airfield was returned in 1981, and new reclaimed land was created along the adjacent coast in 1988. The area was developed with an American atmosphere.
The project initially aimed to provide shopping and cultural space for U.S. military families remaining after the base withdrawal. By the time of this visit, I wondered whether it might be Okinawa’s most popular sightseeing spot.
The large parking area was free at the time, making it an easy place to drop by.
It was modeled on Seaport Village in San Diego. Although smaller in scale, it gave me the feeling of being at Seaport Village.
As you would expect in a place that draws travelers, the area was full of hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls.
The shops each had their own character, and chairs and tables were scattered around for a break. Being able to explore at your own pace was another advantage.
Many U.S. service members and their families actually came here, giving it a very different atmosphere from other parts of Okinawa.
The original account reported that most shops could also take payment in U.S. dollars. That describes the earlier visit, not a current payment guarantee.
American Village filled with people for American holidays such as Halloween and Christmas.
This Santa looked as though he sat here all year round.
It was also known as a gathering place for stylish Okinawans on weekends.
At night, U.S. service members could also be found in the nearby izakaya and pubs.
Farther north was a cafe-lined area on reclaimed land.
Its position beside the sea gave it beautiful views.
The restaurants and attractive cafes were at the far end of American Village, but this was still an area worth visiting.
A little piece of America in Okinawa.
American Village, with its resemblance to Seaport Village, revealed another side of Okinawa—a place with a culture and way of life that feel different from the rest of Japan.