Onna Village

[Vascariz]

Just querying what people know about Onna Village and your experiences with that area?

I've been searching around and haven't been able to find much information about it apart from supposedly a place which abuses dogs :scared: !?!?

Thanks!

[Sex Wax]

We like to keep it a secret. And the only dogs that get abused are Devil Dogs.

[mrubbermann01]

WTF!

I'm confused

[P_chan]

Beaches, some farms, a few touristy spots, and resort hotels is about all you'll find.

[I Am Luna]

There is nothing in Onna village. Stay away.

[P_chan]

There is nothing in Onna village. Stay away.

Which is why I'd love to live in Onna:D

[Haru-sa]

Onna village, just like Ginoza does not have much for real estate agents locally. they intentionally use a few firms in Naha and the local community has a review process for prospective buyers of land to ensure the hopefuls will meet the standards of the community. It's not hugely enforced, but anything that might raise an eye results in other residents pressuring the seller not to sell after all. Net result: property comes off the market, then goes back on once the undesirable buyer is out of the picture. Foreigners and mainlanders are generally unwelcome.

[Vascariz]

Oh... moving to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Tech and the closest village seems to be Onna Village. Was hoping she could rent something there but ummm does not seem like a pleasant place to live?!

Is there a place near the institute worth investigating?

[I Am Luna]

It is a great place to live! I was living there but had to move so my sister in law can move in then sell it off. (long story)
Review process? Not for this foreigner :) Money shuts all the people up ;D

[Haru-sa]

Oh... moving to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Tech and the closest village seems to be Onna Village. Was hoping she could rent something there but ummm does not seem like a pleasant place to live?!

Is there a place near the institute worth investigating?

definately worth living there!

[Haru-sa]

It is a great place to live! I was living there but had to move so my sister in law can move in then sell it off. (long story)
Review process? Not for this foreigner :) Money shuts all the people up ;D


you'd like to think that, huh? The review process is something that you'll never see since it's behind the scenes. It's not formal either, just peer pressure induced. Money is great, but being shunned for a decade by everyone in your community is a big price to pay for some yenskis, especially if you've grown up with them all your life.

I spoke to a guy that was given property there by his inlaws and it took 7-8 years to gain permission to build on his own land because of that very situation. You may own the land, but that does not mean that you will get a building permit for your place. Money heals much, but not everything. Careful on placing all faith in that theory. If it does work for you, awesome, share the route you took just as I am trying to share what I know of the difficulties and roadblocks. I'd be the first to cheer for you or brag you up if you can do it, and also the first to help if you needed it. Don't mistake me as someone saying "you can't" but instead see that I'm simply providing what I know of the two areas and looking for a way around them myself as both areas are HIGHLY desirable places to live for me. :grin1:

[socalheart]

Friends of ours rented a split level house down the back street from Moon Beach (I think it's that one) and had no problems other than the TMO truck not being able to get around easily. heh. They liked the peace and quiet, even though it was far away from work. They had no children and are very mellow folks, so had no problems.

If you don't make a nuisance of yourself, living in and around Onna is nice. You'll be hard-pressed to find someplace for rent to SOFA people and may need a Guarantor as a foreigner, but your company may be able to help you in that matter. Hope you find a great place. :)

[Jazz]

They had no children and are very mellow folks, so had no problems.

:)

I think one day I'll have a different wife and we'll be known as mellow folks :), may even live in Onna. But I'm scared of bugs and snakes.

[Haru-sa]

Friends of ours rented a split level house down the back street from Moon Beach (I think it's that one) and had no problems other than the TMO truck not being able to get around easily. heh. They liked the peace and quiet, even though it was far away from work. They had no children and are very mellow folks, so had no problems.

If you don't make a nuisance of yourself, living in and around Onna is nice. You'll be hard-pressed to find someplace for rent to SOFA people and may need a Guarantor as a foreigner, but your company may be able to help you in that matter. Hope you find a great place. :)

true for renting, buying is more difficult. Onna is a great place to live and I'd love to be there. got babies riding the bus to school though and DODDS don't run busses that far...

[Haru-sa]

I think one day I'll have a different wife and we'll be known as mellow folks :), may even live in Onna. But I'm scared of bugs and snakes.


Everyone should have a different wife sooner or later... :old:

[Vascariz]

Thanks for those posts! Much more reassuring!

Can anyone recommend a real estate agent for renting apartments in Onna?
Only after a 1 bedroom place.
English is good!

[socalheart]

Can anyone recommend a real estate agent for renting apartments in Onna? Only after a 1 bedroom place. English is good!
Not necessarily a recommendation, but I had the time to look this up for you:

Central Housing (http://www.centralhousing.sakura.ne.jp/003objects/04onnason/)
Ajast Housing (http://www.ajast-housing.com/estate/list.cgi?mode=list_loc&at=Onna_cat)

Other listings at Total Okinawa (http://www.totalokinawa.com/directory/agency.php)

Your best option is to have your company refer you to a realator in the area. Most agencies accustomed to dealing with Americans are also accustomed to the SOFA housing allowance. If you don't state that you're not associated with the military from the beginning, they may not give you the Japanese rental price. You might also need to establish an account at the local bank for direct payment of rent and utilities.

[Redsox'sNation]

I live in Onna, got a palace and love it...

[Vascariz]

Not necessarily a recommendation, but I had the time to look this up for you:

Central Housing (http://www.centralhousing.sakura.ne.jp/003objects/04onnason/)
Ajast Housing (http://www.ajast-housing.com/estate/list.cgi?mode=list_loc&at=Onna_cat)

Other listings at Total Okinawa (http://www.totalokinawa.com/directory/agency.php)



Thank you for those links!
Could not find anything near the Institute so I think we might have to rely on the Institute to organise it for us.
Was hoping we could scope some stuff out before we head over!

[Haru-sa]

Thank you for those links!
Could not find anything near the Institute so I think we might have to rely on the Institute to organise it for us.
Was hoping we could scope some stuff out before we head over!

In my opinion, your best bet is to have the institute do the legwork for you. If you're seen as "sponsored" by them, it may make it easier to get you in somewhere. OIST is in a really beautiful area; I'm excited for you!

I'd be prepared to live immersed in the local culture and economy almost 100% since that area of Onna is more sparce in teams of "foreigner friendly" housing. Still, there are many nice places.

what kind of work will you do for them and what kind of level? White collar, blue collar, scientist? bringing family, rolling solo? That would give a better idea of what to steer you towards. Looking for a single house, apartment, something fancy, something minimal, big, small? It all makes a difference on where and what to tell an agency.

[DoctorP]

Oh... moving to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Tech and the closest village seems to be Onna Village. Was hoping she could rent something there but ummm does not seem like a pleasant place to live?!

Is there a place near the institute worth investigating?

I was under the impression that the institute was building/aquiring housing for the instructors in Ishikawa. Are you an instructor?

[DoctorP]

you'd like to think that, huh? The review process is something that you'll never see since it's behind the scenes. It's not formal either, just peer pressure induced. Money is great, but being shunned for a decade by everyone in your community is a big price to pay for some yenskis, especially if you've grown up with them all your life.

I spoke to a guy that was given property there by his inlaws and it took 7-8 years to gain permission to build on his own land because of that very situation. You may own the land, but that does not mean that you will get a building permit for your place. Money heals much, but not everything. Careful on placing all faith in that theory. If it does work for you, awesome, share the route you took just as I am trying to share what I know of the difficulties and roadblocks. I'd be the first to cheer for you or brag you up if you can do it, and also the first to help if you needed it. Don't mistake me as someone saying "you can't" but instead see that I'm simply providing what I know of the two areas and looking for a way around them myself as both areas are HIGHLY desirable places to live for me. :grin1:


I think I know the guy you are talking about, but he had special circumstances...it was close to the school, or considered "special" property or something like that...it wasn't in the middle of a neighborhood.

[I Am Luna]

you'd like to think that, huh? The review process is something that you'll never see since it's behind the scenes. It's not formal either, just peer pressure induced. Money is great, but being shunned for a decade by everyone in your community is a big price to pay for some yenskis, especially if you've grown up with them all your life.

I spoke to a guy that was given property there by his inlaws and it took 7-8 years to gain permission to build on his own land because of that very situation. You may own the land, but that does not mean that you will get a building permit for your place. Money heals much, but not everything. Careful on placing all faith in that theory. If it does work for you, awesome, share the route you took just as I am trying to share what I know of the difficulties and roadblocks. I'd be the first to cheer for you or brag you up if you can do it, and also the first to help if you needed it. Don't mistake me as someone saying "you can't" but instead see that I'm simply providing what I know of the two areas and looking for a way around them myself as both areas are HIGHLY desirable places to live for me. :grin1:

True I didn't see it, but I wasn't shunned. I guess the fact that the property was already built and I didn't have much to do with anything else besides owning the land and the building permit. We didn't stay for long and that might have been why I didn't get the feeling of being shunned.

But all my faith is in money and it has proven well for 25 years and keeps on going :D

[Vascariz]

what kind of work will you do for them and what kind of level? White collar, blue collar, scientist? bringing family, rolling solo? That would give a better idea of what to steer you towards. Looking for a single house, apartment, something fancy, something minimal, big, small? It all makes a difference on where and what to tell an agency.

Researcher in the Institute.
So a one bedroom apartment for now. Something clean and safe I guess?
I'd rather not rely on public transport too much (which I hear is near non-existant?).
So might get a bicycle or something.

[Vascariz]

I was under the impression that the institute was building/aquiring housing for the instructors in Ishikawa. Are you an instructor?

That is true but I'm not sure if this extends to researchers and it probably won't be ready by the time I head over.

[DoctorP]

That is true but I'm not sure if this extends to researchers and it probably won't be ready by the time I head over.

Definitely wouldn't hurt to ask the question then would it. Best of luck though.

[Vascariz]

Definitely wouldn't hurt to ask the question then would it. Best of luck though.

Good point! Just didn't want to appear too demanding! I'll try to slip the q in :) Thankies!

Really appreciating all the comments!

[abonifi1]

Researcher in the Institute.
So a one bedroom apartment for now. Something clean and safe I guess?
I'd rather not rely on public transport too much (which I hear is near non-existant?).
So might get a bicycle or something.

I know John Miller, in the Biological Genomics Dept., and I talked to him, he says he believes researchers will get the same accomadations as him.

As for a bike, well you have to get a permit, and more than likely you wont be able to live up there without a car.

The cars are cheap, but the liscenses are difficult.

[socalheart]

The cars are cheap, but the liscenses are difficult.
You can get away with an International Driver's Permit for the first year you're here. They assume you're trying for a local license. The institute may have something set for their foreign staff to waive or take classes. Yet another question to ask. You'll have a long list by the time you get here. :D

[abonifi1]

You can get away with an International Driver's Permit for the first year you're here. They assume you're trying for a local license. The institute may have something set for their foreign staff to waive or take classes. Yet another question to ask. You'll have a long list by the time you get here. :D

To do that, he'll have to carry his passport, and frankly, I never want to carry my passprt around.

They will see his work Visa stamp, and then want to see his work visa, its just easier to get the license.

[Haru-sa]

To do that, he'll have to carry his passport, and frankly, I never want to carry my passprt around.

They will see his work Visa stamp, and then want to see his work visa, its just easier to get the license.

or just not get caught doing stupid stuff...

[abonifi1]

or just not get caught doing stupid stuff...

Doesn't have to be doing something stupid to be stopped at a drunk driving checkpoint.

[Haru-sa]

Doesn't have to be doing something stupid to be stopped at a drunk driving checkpoint.

ME: yup, here you go, my international license and my US state license.
JP: passport please
ME: Passport? nope, I don't keep it with me.
JP: ok, draibu seifu!

[abonifi1]

ME: yup, here you go, my international license and my US state license.
JP: passport please
ME: Passport? nope, I don't keep it with me.
JP: ok, draibu seifu!

Even when I came here as a tourist with my wife, something would be asked about

you soldier?
which hotel?
why here?

it has never been that simple. Your leaving a few details out.

[Haru-sa]

Even when I came here as a tourist with my wife, something would be asked about

you soldier?
which hotel?
why here?

it has never been that simple. Your leaving a few details out.

nope, leaving nothing out. the secret is, don't let on that you speak their language, AT ALL, NONE, NIL. At that point they don't want/know how to deal with you and see the mounting line of cars behind you.

[Mehi River]

nope, leaving nothing out. the secret is, don't let on that you speak their language, AT ALL, NONE, NIL. At that point they don't want/know how to deal with you and see the mounting line of cars behind you.

This is the truth. Never speak japanese. even if you can.

[proudtobnotpc]

This is the truth. Never speak japanese. even if you can.

yeah just play stupid, it has worked for me in the past:first:

[socalheart]

When I was here on a visa, I carried my passport with me everywhere I went. My int'l driver's permit was always in my car. If a person wants to drive as soon as he arrives on island, it's not such a hassle to carry both around until a local driver's license is obtained.

[simsim]

I think at the moment and until the new campus is complete and who knows when that will be all research activity is conducted in Uruma city and not Ona village. The only OIST facility in Ona is seaside house which is abmin and confernce venue. So I would let them house you in the first instance as you could end up in the wrong place. As for driving or a bike dont let these SOFA people confuse you, all you need to do it to get an international driving permit form your home country. This will cover you for the first year after that you need to get a Japanese driving license. Which can be as easy as filling in a form to as hard as taking the full Japanese driving test. you can scooter up to 50cc on a car licence.

[gtlm2000]

I uesd to go to camping for some of beaches in Onna.

[dk]

This is the truth. Never speak japanese. even if you can.

That's my secret as well. Especially when NHK comes.

[Vascariz]

I uesd to go to camping for some of beaches in Onna.

Did you enjoy the place?
Hahaha your answer was so open ended I'm hoping its not due to some negative trauma >.< *flashback*....