Kadena Airmen Put out Local Fire

KIDS, TELL US YOUR STORY! Check out more military children VOLUME 13 NO. 13 MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019 stories at: SUBMIT STORIES TO: [email protected] STRIPESOKINAWA.COM FACEBOOK.COM/STRIPESPACIFIC militarychild. FREE stripes.com • Send your Month of the Military Child submission to MilitaryChild@ stripes.com by April 30! INSIDE INFO Keramashoto National Park Simply a piece of paradise USO OKINAWA STAFF SPOTLIGHT Pages 4-5 PAGE 2

KADENA VOLUNTEERS TEAM UP WITH RED CROSS IN SAIPAN PAGE 3

Win a $300 Kadena airmen put out local ﬁre gift card BY STAFF SGT. JESSICA SMITH, 18TH WING Vote online by 4HYJO KADENA AIR BASE – Two aircraft recovery airmen from the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron put out a local sugar mill ﬁre Jan 11, 2019 in Uruma, Ja- pan. On their way to dinner, Tech. Sgt. Argo Cesareo and Senior Airman Justin Kannenberg noticed smoke coming from a building on the opposite side of the four- lane road. Alarmed, but unable to tell what exactly it was, they kept an eye on the building until it was closer in view.

SEE AIRMAN ON PAGE 6

ILZ[VMWHJPÄJZ[YPWLZJVT Courtesy photo 2 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019

Max D. Lederer Jr. USO Okinawa staff spotlight Publisher Lt. Col. Richard E. McClintic Commander NAME: Yoneko Tamanaha Joshua M Lashbrook Chief of Staff POSITION/TITLE: Center Operations Michael Davidson Specialist Revenue Director TIME WORKED AT USO: June 9th, 2003 - Chris Verigan Engagement Director Present Marie Woods CENTER/OFFICE LOCATION: USO Futenma Publishing and Media Design Director Chris Carlson Publishing and Media Design Manager About Yoneko: Kentaro Shimura Ms. Yoneko Tamanaha was born and Production Manager Rie Miyoshi raised here in Okinawa. She has been with Engagement Manager USO Futenma since June 2003 support- Scott Wheeler ing Marines, sailors, and families. Yoneko Okinawa Area Manager Denisse Rauda enjoys coming in everyday and provid- Publishing and Media Design Editor ing a home away from home for everyone Publishing and Media Design Writers that walks through the doors. Her passion ChiHon Kim Shoji Kudaka to support the community of the Marine Takahiro Takiguchi Corps Air Station Futenma is inspiring for Layout Designers Ayako Kamio everyone on the USO Futenma team. Yukiyo Oda Yuko Okazaki Her hobbies include spending time with Kayoko Shimoda family as well as dancing. A fun fact about Multimedia Consultants Max Genao Doug Johnson her is that pri- Jason Lee Hans Simpson or to coming Chae Pang Yi Gianni Youn Robert Zuckerman aboard with Graphic Designers the USO she Kenichi Ogasawara Yosuke Tsuji was a profes- Why do you love What is your favorite Sales Support Kazumi Hasegawa Hiromi Isa sional compe- Q.working at the USO? Q.memory of working at Ichiro Katayanagi Yoko Noro Yoichi Okazaki Yusuke Sato tition dancer! the USO? Chae Yon Son Saori Tamanaha The young Marines & Sailors are As well, Yo- A.here and so far away from their One our old USO volunteers re- neko enjoys traveling and from 1978 - 1979 For feedback and inquiries, home, and I enjoy taking care of them until A.turned to Okinawa and came to contact [email protected] she conducted a trip around the world visit- visit me, and I found out that they’re now To place an ad, call DSN 645-7419 ing 60 countries. it’s time for them to go home. married and that they have a baby. stripesokinawa.com/contact – William Stanley, USO Okinawa MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION STRIPES OKINAWA 3

Matthew Douthit, David Hormaza, Marc Acosta and De’Quinn Cooper deployed to Saipan to provide disaster relief after Typhoon Yutu. Courtesy photo Lending a hand in Saipan

BY BETHANY KIRK, materials in the stressful envi- AMERICAN RED CROSS ronment; one example is how they placed items in a staging f you lived in the Pacific dur- area to allow for forklift access. ing the summer of 2018, one With an additional focus on word probably comes to mind I logistics and operational risk - Typhoons. During last year’s management (ORM), the volun- storm season, the Pacific islands teers from Kadena continued to were tormented by what felt like improve relief processes. Cooper typhoon after typhoon. In Octo- relied on his prior military expe- ber, while residents and military rience as well. “The unique thing DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? personnel on Okinawa were still about my job in the military was reeling from the devastation left being part of a squadron based IF SO, LOG ON TO by Typhoon Trami and later Ty- on contingency readiness - disas- phoon Kong-Rey, another small ter interment, food preparation, Pacific island was bracing for im- distribution. We were trained to pact. Super Typhoon Yutu made STRIPESOKINAWA.COM landfall over Saipan on Sunday, be fully operational in the event October 25th, and was recorded of an emergency. And those were as the strongest typhoon to pass principles I applied while in over the island. Saipan,” he said. The island of Saipan is part Like Douthit and Cooper, of the Northern Mariana Is- Acosta’s military experience land chain. Measuring 14 miles brought value to the relief efforts (23 km) long and 5 miles (8km) in Saipan. Acosta, a Staff Ser- across at its widest point, this geant in the 18 EMS, reflected small island was no match for on previous readiness training Typhoon Yutu. The Category as well as communication and 5 cyclone flattened houses and leadership skills. “A part of your left thousands without power for readiness is being resilient and weeks. Despite the destruction, being able to adapt,” he recalled, the people of Saipan remained “Sometimes you are on the spot, resilient. and you have to make a decision Meanwhile, on Okinawa, quickly on how to proceed.” Marc Acosta, Matthew Douthit, The teams faced several and De’Quinn Cooper were pre- challenges during their time in paring for an imminent disaster Saipan. Downed power lines, hot deployment to the small island. and humid conditions, coupled In order to deploy, the Red Cross with logistical challenges all volunteers used personal leave led to a stressful environment - knowing the valuable impact at times. Employing ORM, the they would have on the small team weighed risks and opportu- island’s community. These vol- nities, which allowed them to be unteers are all members of the successful while also ensuring Kadena Station Disaster Action the safety of everyone involved. Team. Acosta, Douthit, and Coo- Leveraging their military ex- per made up one of five teams perience, these Red Cross vol- that distributed goods to those unteers led distribution efforts affected by the storm. They on Saipan. From assembling re- worked between 9-14 hours per lief kits, delivering the kits from day, reaching 300-400 homes - house-to-house, and managing providing food, water, hygiene the challenging logistics of this kits and comforting gifts to small operation, the three worked like children. a “well-oiled machine.” In one instance, the team no- Douthit, a Senior Airman in ticed a metal sign asking the Red the 18th Munitions Squadron, Cross and FEMA for help. “We focused on best practices to en- sure effective distribution of SEE SAIPAN ON PAGE 6 4 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019

Keramashoto National Park Discover a Japanese island nature paradise ringed by piercing blue seas

JAPAN TRAVEL whether you arrive by ferry, speedboat or char- beyond that, and clustered at each port are a tered helicopter, the collection of islands that satisfying number of inns and friendly res- s an island nation that itself is subdi- forms Kerama feels instantly a world apart from taurants ready to invite you into the wel- vided into smaller and smaller islands the relatively developed island of Okinawa. coming community-led island culture. A across the archipelago, Japan lends it- Granted protected national park status as of The inns offer local food, can also self well to being understood as a series of self- 2014, the vast majority of Kerama is guaranteed help schedule activities on the is- contained cultures within cultures, all bound to stay in its pristine form, all in addition to the land and offer recommendations, together strongly, which only accentuates their ongoing efforts of local people to gather any de- offering a pleasant alternative differences. Nowhere is this perhaps more evi- tritus that washes on its fair shores. to conventional hotels in keep- dent than on the far-flung southern islands some On arrival it is easy to see where this pride ing with the unspoilt islands of forty kilometres west of the Okinawan islands comes from as no-matter the season the waters Kerama entirely free of high- towards the very end of the archipelago where of each harbour and cove sing blue, running rise developments. we find Keramashoto National from palest turquoise through ceru- When you are ready to ven- Park. On one hand the tropical lean and deepest blue no-matter the ture out from the island villages, climate, pure white beaches, and season. Indeed, that moment when the top priority for most visitors deep blue waters are difficult to you shift from looking at the is the whale watching that can pair with the mainland to some island paradises from a be enjoyed from many lo- degree, but on the other hand in distance as you make cations, including the Za- the twisting trees and familiar flowers, nature your approach, to the one when mami Whale Watching As- never lets you forget that you are in Japan. Like- you land and are suddenly sociation that also includes an wise in the warm Japanese omotenashi welcome looking out at the seas from information centre for those archipelago. Your you are assured, the distinct island culture be- the island vantage point is wanting to learn more be- odds of seeing at comes all the more apparent. a profound shift in mental- fore they take to the seas. least a couple are Located some forty kilometres off Okinawa, ity and one that sticks with Between the months of remarkably high, you throughout your stay December to April, which and the thrill of the on the Kerama islands. while technically winter chase as you leave Ferries stop at the larg- are still pleasantly warm, harbour looking out for er Kerama islands of To- the seas around Kerama signs of the humpback kashiki, Zamami and Aka, islands positively teem with whales’ blow on the horiz with many many smaller is- whales in the mating season is infectious, and the mom lands waiting to be explored as they migrate from seas to catch sight of a magnificen the far north down to the Japanese ant appearing fluke up from MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION STRIPES OKINAWA 5

unforgettable. Furthermore such as those at Teruyama and Inazaki, and for some ships are equipped those wanting to learn more about the history THINGS TO DO with underwater micro- of the islands there exists Peace Monuments on phones so you can listen to Zanami as part of the Takatsukiyama Observa- Zamami Village (Zamami Island, Aka Island, Geruma Island) the whale song for an ex- tion Deck trail built in the hope that the peace perience as close as you that the islands now enjoy will exist indefinitely. Q=DPDPL9LOODJH2IƓFH can possibly get to these For those looking for more activity there is URL: http://www.vill.zamami.okinawa.jp/info/language.html remarkable creatures SUP boarding and other water sports available Tourist activities without encroaching on across the island, and for an experience that QZamami Tourist Information their habitat. truly speaks of island paradise why not consider TEL: 098-987-2277 Beyond the seas, the is- SUP boarding at Tokashiku beach at dusk as the E-MAIL: [email protected] lands themselves offer a sky is painted red as the sun finally sinks into Q huge variety of potential walk- the gentle ocean. If you wish to get in the water, 7KH=DPDPL:KDOH:DWFKLQJ$VVRFLDWLRQ ing routes, taking in the coast to then experienced divers will be in their element TEL: 098-896-4141 (from Dec. to Apr.) mountainous peaks, all within sight with sweeping coral diving routes that take in E-MAIL: [email protected] URL: http://zwwa.okinawa/englishinfomation zon and earshot of the blue oceans that sur- table, branch and horned coral, in pure trans- ment you round you. Guided nature trails abound, and parent seas. Even beginners can enjoy reefs and Tokashiki Village (Tokashiki Island) nt thirty tonne gi- there are also Nordic walking options for those sea-life near the beach with snorkelling trips, m the blue waters is wanting a trek with a difference. From the is- with hawksbill and green turtles a surprisingly Q7RNDVKLNL9LOODJH2IƓFH 7KHFRPPHUFHDQGWRXULVP lands’ piercing Kerama azalea and winter cher- common sight, and one that is breathtaking in department) ry, and calls of birds overhead, the islands really person. E-MAIL: [email protected] are a paradise for nature enthusiasts, while also After all that there is nothing more satisfy- URL: http://www.vill.tokashiki.okinawa.jp offering a stimulating walk through varied and ing than to relax by a barbecue and let the seas verdant pastures for those who just want to relax serve up exquisite seasonal fish to be as the stars Tourist activities and take it all in. shine down on you overhead. Q6XQQ\FRUDO Nature walking, nature hiking, BBQ, night tour, Of course, that is to say nothing of the scen- For a paradise island experience where it is 6WDUZDWFKLQJ ery that alternates between one pristine beach the nature of the island that is brought to the E-MAIL: [email protected] after another, interrupted only by craggy cliffs fore, make Keramashoto National Park your Q$FRXVWLFOLIH 6836XQVHW683 that tell tales of the earth’s shifting activity, and next destination. No matter the season you are submerged shorelines where the vegetation sits guaranteed an idyllic experience that shines E-MAIL: [email protected] by the seas. Whale watching can also be enjoyed light on a Japanese way of life that few who QIsland trip (Swimming with sea turtles) from the comfort of land on observation decks make it beyond the mainland are party to. E-MAIL: [email protected] 6 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019 AIRMAN: Taking action without hesitation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 anybody inside, but I was wor- ried about the backdraft,” Ce- “It looked concerning but I sareo said. “I knew if we opened wasn’t sure what it was, so I kept another window or door, the an eye on it. As we were passing whole thing would go up.” the building, I could see flames As locals watched on, the coming up the backside of the airmen used their fire-fighting building, so I told Kannenberg – training as aircraft mechanics – who was driving – ‘That’s a fire, although a building fire and air- we’ve got to turn around,’” Ce- craft fire are very different – to sareo said. At the next possible spot, the do the best they could until help airmen made a U-turn and pulled arrived. into an apartment complex park- “I was pretty focused; I wasn’t ing lot next to the flaming build- really concerned about anything ing. Kannenberg laid on his horn other than just trying to get the to alert anybody that may have fire to stop,” expressed Kannen- been inside the apartment build- berg, “That was the only thing ings while Cesareo dialed 119 for that really mattered at the time.” help. Despite the language bar- By the time the fire depart- rier they were able to get help on ment showed up, Cesareo and the way. Kannenberg had “There was an “I wasn’t really managed to extin- elderly woman, concerned about guish all the flames, she didn’t speak leaving only burn- any English and anything other ing embers inside I don’t speak any the building. Japanese, so she than just trying to The Uruma didn’t understand get the fire emergency ser- what I was trying to to stop.” say, but one of her vices were able to neighbors came – Senior Airman clear the scene and out and I handed Justin Kannenberg confirm the sugar her the phone and mill was, in fact, pointed to the fire empty. and she got the idea,” Cesareo Because of their Air Force explained. training the airmen were able to Once the neighbor was on the quickly take action and make de- phone with emergency services, cisions without hesitating. Their Kannenberg found a garden hose courageous actions not only pre- and threw it over the fence sepa- vented the fire from possibly rating the sugar mill from the spreading, but also gained the apartment complex. respect of the local community. “It was like 70 or 80 feet for- The Uruma City Police held tunately, so I ran and turned the a recognition ceremony to show water on and ran to where the their gratitude and present the fire was and started spraying Airmen with Letters of Appre- from fairly far away,” he said. ciation. Both Cesareo and Kan- “When the flames started to die down, I got a little bit closer.” nenberg were appreciative of the After spotting another hose, opportunity to be recognized for Cesareo was able to help Kan- their actions and to build a bond nenberg extinguish the flames. with local community. With smoke billowing from “I thought it was a really cool under the doorway and all ways experience,” Cesareo said. “The of entry locked, the Airmen con- police department and everyone templated what to do next. we interacted with seemed very “We thought about kicking sincere and grateful and we felt down the door to see if there was grateful for their hospitality.” SAIPAN: Making a difference as volunteers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 joined the Red Cross to assist with distribution and relief ef- put two and two together and forts. decided to explore the path,” For the Kadena volunteers, recalled Cooper. The path ulti- this deployment to Saipan was mately led to about 15 residents, a rewarding experience, and all of whom required medical at- they all hope to return to this is- tention. The team was able to get land in the future. Reflecting on them the help they needed and their interactions with those af- Stripes Okinawa is A Stars and Stripes Community to remote and isolated locations where overseas DOD returned a second time to bring fected, it is clear that both par- Publication. This newspaper is authorized for publication personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in additional supplies. ties had influence on each other. by the Department of Defense for members of the this publication, including inserts or supplements, does military services overseas. However, the contents not constitute endorsement of those products by the “The residents were incred- While the Red Cross provided of Stripes Okinawa are unofficial, and are not to be Department of Defense or Stars and Stripes. Products ibly grateful for the Red Cross’s relief, the people of Saipan gra- considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the or services advertised in this publication shall be made presence in Saipan,” recalls ciously accepted the assistance U.S. government, including the Department of Defense available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard Douthit. Even more, their will- and in return were welcoming or the U.S. Pacific Command. As a DOD newspaper, to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital ingness to help each other during hosts to the volunteers. Douthit Stripes Okinawa may be distributed through official status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any this time in need was contagious. explained,“They show that unity channels and use appropriated funds for distribution other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. A group of youth volunteers also still exists in times of hardship.” MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION STRIPES OKINAWA 7 Stripes Sports Trivia

The NFL record for sacks in a single game is seven. Yes, seven sacks, one guy. Which Hall of Fame

linebacker, who was tragically killed after a car crash in 2000, holds this untouchable record? Answer Thomas Derrick

The Weekly Crossword by Margie E. Burke ACROSS 1234 5678 9 10111213

1 Turner of 14 15 16 "Peyton Place" 5 Mayberry boy 17 18 19 9 Loses steam 20 21 22 23 14 Like some twins 15 Something to 24 25 26 pop 27 28 29 30 31 DID YOU 16 Give or take 17 "Yesterday", 32 33 34 35 36 37 KNOW? "Today", or "Tomorrow" 38 39 40 41 18 Trail activity 42 43 44 45 19 Arctic diving bird ith a ﬁrst prize of 1 billion yen ($9 46 47 48 million) per unit, Jumbo Draws, 20 Make better, as a deal 49 50 51 52 53 W start selling one month before 22 Swimmer's kick the drawing. Among public lottery shops 24 Sailor's bed 54 55 56 57 58 59

throughout the nation, the Nishi Ginza 26 Anxiety 60 61 62 63 Chance Center near JR Yurakucho Sta- 27 Cause for alarm tion in Tokyo is one of the most popular 30 ____ of bad 64 65 66 news shops. Its left-most “Counter One” has 67 68 69 32 Area under produced 490 ﬁrst-prize winners, 78.3 bil- dispute Copyright 2019 by The Puzzle Syndicate lion yen of winnings over the last 30 years 34 Messy dresser and is considered a sanctuary for lottery 38 Royal flush card DOWN 31 2016 film about 49 Studies all night enthusiasts. 39 Shake up 1 Not as much a WWII assassi- 50 Allow entry 41 Hail to Caesar 2 Confess nation operation 51 Old World lizard 42 What hot dogs 3 Opening time, 33 Mall tenants 53 Metallic- do? maybe 35 Wash up sounding 44 Truthful 4 Math course 36 Part of OTC 55 "No problem!" 46 Nine-to-fiver 5 Brownish yellow 37 Boxing prize 57 Golfer's cry 48 Wield, as 6 One way to ask 40 Put in office 58 Operating Kanji of influence a question 43 Drum majorette system 49 Actress Foy of 7 Aggravate 45 Museum offering 59 For fear that ) the week (Beach "First Man" 8 Barely gets, 47 End of a threat 62 Crash site? Hama/Hin඿ 52 Gunslinger's with "out" mark 9 Feast's opposite Answers to Last Week’s Crossword: 54 Go back 10 Addicts, e.g. BEHEAD RAVAGE Language Lesson 56 Lamentable 11 Backs, in REVOLVE ELEGANT 60 In the least anatomy class ELAT ION MOS E L L E 61 Familiar with 12 Continental WAS TW I NS E T LAN 63 Treat for Fido money AB I DE EELS PARD 64 Some street 13 Cubic meter ROVE CREE TINGE How are you? performers 21 Winter temps, DREAMY DEFECTED 65 Drought ender perhaps NEAT PARA 66 Van Gogh 23 Turn bad, as milk INFERNAL INSIDE MO I RE LEAL SMOG flower 25 Cheer PUNY DEAD GO I NG 67 Trapping device 27 Become ERE SUND I AL TA I Genki desuka? 68 Singer Arnold unhinged DISSENT PLACATE 69 Modern 28 Cola lead-in ESSENCE IGNITER message 29 "I'll second that!" HEATED CADRES

68'2.8 (GLWHGE\0DUJLH(%XUNH 'LIILFXOW\(DV\ ,KtdK^K>s͗ ĂĐŚƌŽǁŵƵƐƚĐŽŶƚĂŝŶƚŚĞ ŶƵŵďĞƌƐϭƚŽϵ͖ĞĂĐŚĐŽůƵŵŶŵƵƐƚ ĐŽŶƚĂŝŶƚŚĞŶƵŵďĞƌƐϭƚŽϵ͖ĂŶĚ ĞĂĐŚƐĞƚŽĨϯďǇϯďŽǆĞƐŵƵƐƚ ĐŽŶƚĂŝŶƚŚĞŶƵŵďĞƌƐϭƚŽϵ͘ Answers to Last Week’s Sudoku: &RS\ULJKWE\7KH3X]]OH6\QGLFDWH 8 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION MARCH 21 − MARCH 27, 2019 A peaceful adventure on Okinawan waters

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SHOJI KUDAKA, easy-going physical activities on the lake, as well. Aside STRIPES OKINAWA from the boat ride, visitors can take a 45-minute stand-up paddleboarding tour (SUP). For a beginner like me, this ios on the Hill is not a theme park with speed and was a good opportunity to test my balance, which isn’t good thrill. Instead, this sub-tropical forest offers a qui- thanks to a lack of exercise. After a setting foot on a paddle B et and peaceful form of entertainment. Fitting for board, it was slow going for me, but cruising side-by-side an experience found on Okinawa. with water striders and seeing people waive from ashore At Bios on the Hill a variety of attractions are setup to helped me get going. let visitors experience and touch the island’s wildlife. Even without any knowledge of the paddleboarding ba- Just like a traditional Japanese garden subtly incorpo- sics, I managed to stay on the board through the 1km route, rates nature and exhibits its beauty, Bios on the Hill care- thanks to the calm water. fully presents Okinawan nature, and lets visitors safely For experienced SUP boarders, this will be an easy ride. experience various aspects of it. Unlike the oceanocean, there are no big waves or strong wiwindsn to challenge adventurous minds. Pond of Dragon However, cruising on the unruffled Ufutachi Gomoi, or “pond of a largearge drag-drrag- water while enjoying interesting on,” is a lake that takes up almost halfhalf of the Okinawan nature is a unique expe- entire park. The name came from thehe sshapehappe ooff rience that’s hard to find elsewhere. the lake which looks like a dragon when seen from above. Water buffalo cart Visitors can tour this 1km aroundd lakelake byby tak-tak- BiosB on the Hill has a lot going on ing a 25-minute boat ride. Throughoutout ththee trip, ashore,asho as well. On a grass field called tour guides brief visitors on the uniquenique plpplantsants “Ashibiuna,”“Ash visitors can interact with and creatures or Okinawan culturere prpre-e- animalsanim native to the island. sented along the way. AAmong the activities, you can take a Interesting plants that dot the shore-re- ggoatoa for a walk, feed chickens or walk line include trees with snake scalesles withwith the famous “Agu” pig if you are patterns, plants whose flowers that llucky.uck look like sausages or orchids that OOne highlight is the water buffalo cart smell just like chocolate. ride.ride. Water buffaloes are recognized as Plus, two water buffaloes wel-- a meansme of transportation and also as a come the boat at one corner of the llake.ake. popularpopula attraction at some tourist spots in At another spot, a lady in a classic OkiOki-- OkOkinawa.inawa. TheThe animal is used to tour a traditional nawan attire performs a dance on a sshiphip village,village, or useduse to cross ocean to get to a remote docked by a shore. Commentary is providedprovideed in iisland.sland. English through speakers with Okinawannawan mu-mu- At BiosBios on tthehe Hill, a ride on a water buffalo cart sic as background music. The slow tempo of the music gives visitors the opportunity to experience the intelli- andnd elegant dance movesm set a very relaxing tone for the gence of the bovine. Throughout the ride, passengers wit- tour.tourur. ness a water buffalo precisely follow instructions given by JustJ a 330-minute0 i drive away from Kadena Air Base, a driver, or make its own decisions to stop to avoid danger. Bios on the Hill many familiesfamilies fromfrom the on-base community visit Bios. At one point, kids are handed the leash and given an op- Michelle Pimentel,P whose husband is stationed portunity to lead the buffalo. If the kids stopped and the WHERE: 961-30 Ishikawa-kadekaru, Uruma city, Okinawa on CampCam Foster, is one of them. driver said nothing, the buffalo would still keep on going, HOURS: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (open all year round) “It’s very nice, and beautiful, and but the smart animal knew to stop on its own before collid- TEL: 098-965-3400 wew enjoy finding a little more ing with the kids. At the end of the tour, kids were given URL: https://www.bios-hill.co.jp/en/ aabout Okinawa,” says the mother a chance to ride on the back of the huge animal and EMAIL: [email protected] who tooktoo the boat ride with her children. take photos. ADMISSION: 900 yen for adults, 500 for children Slow and peaceful may not appeal to some thrill- BOAT TOUR: 800 yen for adults, 500 for children “[The“[The slowslow speed and quiet mood] defi- WATER BUFFALO CART: 900 yen for adults, 600 for children nitelynitely suits us.”u seeker, but the relaxing form of entertainment this STANDUP PADDLE BOARD/BOAT: 3,000 yen (must be 13 or older) sub-tropical garden offers is filled with moments CANOE RIDE: 1,500 yen for adults, 800 for children StandStand upup paddle boarding that are to be long remembered. TheThe sslowlow qquietuiet mood also allows for some [email protected]

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