Resource Center

About us

• Resource Center Services

• Open hours, location

Essential Info

• Things you might receive within the first couple of months

• Health information

• Getting a phone number in Japan

• GTN Mobile

• Postal Service, Express Courier Services

• Scheduling Japan Post Redelivery

• Family Member Access Card
   
• How to obtain the Vaccine Passport (Health Center page)

Okinawa info

• About Okinawa

• Industrial Arts and Crafts of Okinawa

• Okinawan Food

• Okinawan Culture

• About Onna-son

• Event Calendar

Green Okinawa

A practical guide to live an environmentally-friendly life in Okinawa.

Latest post:

Local stores selling eco-friendly products

Older posts

Green Okinawa logo designer info

Go Shopping

Practical tips for grocery shopping in Okinawa.

Latest post:

Online grocery shopping options(1)

Read older posts here

What do you want us to cover?

A useful guide and Japanese phrases for grocery shopping

Uchinaa Culture

Uchinaa Culture is a series to introduce a glimpse of the Okinawan local culture, traditions, and languages.

 

Latest Posts

• Kugani kutuba, the Golden words(1)
• Ryuuka-Okinawan poetry/song
• The day to promote island speech
• Kyuu-Bon festival
• Island speech (1)
• Okinawan God's new year holiday
• Muuchii rice cakes
• Grave-sweeping festival 

Driver's License

• Driver's License Conversion

• Need to take a Driving Lesson?

• About Japanese Driver's License

• Japanese Driver's License Renewal

• Applying for an Offical Translation from JAF

• Obtain an International Driver's License

• Getting a Japanese Driver's license from scratch

 

Car

• Compulsory Vehicle Inspection (Shaken)

• Purchasing a car

• Sell/Dispose of a car

• Rental car
   
• Money transfer to SK auto services
   
• Money transfer to NISSAN rental cars

• Annual Road Tax

• English Speaking Car Garages
   
• Frequently Asked Questions

*You must have voluntary insurance if you own a car. Resource Center DOES NOT provide translation service in case of accidents*

Bureaucratic

• Obtaining Certificates at Municipal Offices

• Residence Card and Visa

• Obtaining a Certificate of Criminal Record

• Childcare
   
• How to Submit Marriage Certificate Form
   
• Notarization
   
• My Number
   
• Vaccination Passport on your phone 

Financial

• Credit Card Options

• Banking Services

• International money transfer

• Wise(formerly TransferWise)

• Pension

Housing

• Living in a Japanese house/apartment

• AC Cleaning

• Moving within the island

• Moving Companies on the Island

• Garbage Disposal

• Professional Cleaning(carpet, mattress,etc)

Around OIST

• OIST Discount

• Third-Party Childcare around OIST

• Shopping

• Beach Cleaning

• Parking around Naha airport

• Transportation

• Gyms and Swimming pools

Emergency

• Emergency Procedure

• Home Safety

• Typhoons

• Earthquake

• Tsunami

• Dangerous Creatures

• Vehicle Safety

• Water Safety

Laws/Regulations

• Drugs in Japan

• Drunk Driving

• Carrying Knives or guns

• Deportation Procedure

• If you are arrested by the Police

• Private Legal Consultation

Leaving Okinawa

• Offboarding Process
   
• Arrange Departure
   
• What to do with Pension when leaving Japan?
   
• PCR Test