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Commissary Surcharge

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
On Oki, there weren't any tip boxes in the commissary on Camp Butler. Of course, we were there from 98-00 so things might have changed after we left (maybe due to the summit), but I can honestly recall trying to tip the bagger and him pushing my hand away. That's when I found it was insulting to them. Maybe now they're more Americanized... who knows haven't been since then. We fly out to Iwakuni in October so I'll let ya'll know what Mainland is like on the tipping situation. Okinawans are different than Japanese....that I specifically remember. :D


Anyone been on mainland? PM please. I'd love to hear more about it!

Spent several months in Iwakuni, probably be back briefly this fall as well. What kinds of things are you interested in?

Brett
 

mustang_wife

Domestic Engineer Specialist
I heard about the ice sculptures out there...I'd like to see that. I heard about the Godzilla slide..haha..Yeah, I'm cheesy but I have kids and that sounds like fun! I love the beaches in Oki...I know Japan is one big island...but what are the great beach spots? Also, how easy is the train to use, is Iwakuni overly populated(meaning Oki feels more country laid back, will Iwakuni feel more like Washington DC/New York)? Anyhow, sorry, I love to go exploring, we love the water...I am not yet a certified diver but I'd love to do that as well...so any of those spots would be great. Oh, heard there was a Japanese Disney world too! Sorry, you asked...I have tons of questions. : ) What kind of things did you do?

~Rebecca~
 

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I heard about the ice sculptures out there...I'd like to see that. I heard about the Godzilla slide..haha..Yeah, I'm cheesy but I have kids and that sounds like fun! I love the beaches in Oki...I know Japan is one big island...but what are the great beach spots? Also, how easy is the train to use, is Iwakuni overly populated(meaning Oki feels more country laid back, will Iwakuni feel more like Washington DC/New York)? Anyhow, sorry, I love to go exploring, we love the water...I am not yet a certified diver but I'd love to do that as well...so any of those spots would be great. Oh, heard there was a Japanese Disney world too! Sorry, you asked...I have tons of questions. : ) What kind of things did you do?

~Rebecca~

Iwakuni is a smaller city and you can get around easily on bikes (assuming it hasn't been stolen by your fellow Marines). It's a pretty laid back city and it has some good places to eat and roam around. It's on the water, but there aren't any beaches to speak of - more of a rocky coastline. Trains are a breeze to use and you can make it up to Hiroshima for a day trip, or on to Tokyo. There was some kind of a SCUBA club on base where you could get certified, and of course, there are lots of MWR type events and trips to take. It's very different from Oki, but I had a great time there. Good club and Wednesdays are Mongolian BBQ night which is kind of an event - pay by the pound.

Brett
 

mustang_wife

Domestic Engineer Specialist
oh yes, I remember the mongolian nights...but my favorite were the habachi cook your own meat at your table type of restraunts....I can't wait to go there. I am not sure about riding bikes. My husband was hit 3 times by drivers while in Oki. That was enough to make me think bikes are NOT the way to go there. ha ha.
 

gaijin6423

Ask me about ninjas!
I was stationed in Iwakuni in 97-98, and I went back on an exchange program with the JMSDF after college. I haven't done everything there is to do on Honshu, but I have done a lot of out of the way stuff that only Japanese people usually do. I vote for the city of Nikko, which is about an hour bullet train ride from Tokyo. It has innumerable hotels with hotspring baths, Japan's tallest waterfall, and an enormous complex with the tomb of the first Shogun. All-in-all, one of the best destinations in Japan.

For further info, shoot me a PM, and I'll be happy to offer up suggestions.

And Brett, if you just ask nicely, I'll GIVE you your damn bike back...
 
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