MariCar

A few days ago I posted this photo on one of my social media accounts.

⇩

A few comments populated wondering if this experience was "for real" or not. I can assure you it is. And, I can testify - IT'S A MUST when you visit Okinawa.

In downtown Naha there is a tourist activity called MariCar. It is a super fun concept where you, you and your love, you and twenty of your friends, or you and a bunch of random strangers; dress up in adult sized character onesies, hop on go carts, and zip around Naha in the middle of everyday traffic. This experience is one in a million. It's not everyday you get to drive a go cart through normal city streets - let alone doing it dressed like Minnie Mouse.

This tour is more than just fun, however, it's also a bit thrilling. Our tour group admitted to having a "need for speed" to our tour guide, therefore, our go carts clocked speeds of approximately 70 kph when the route opened up. Not only are you going this speed on a go cart but your doing it on the streets of Naha so buses are rolling up next to you, taxis are trying to cut in on you, and cars are whirling pass you - it's a rush! If my mother is reading this, don't worry, I was safe. MariCar doesn't send you out onto the street alone. This company has excellent guides. I've been invited to go riding through Naha twice now and I have had two different guides, both were knowledgable, kept us safe, and helped us have a good time! You're with a guide the entire time and you drive in groups in order to make it harder for cars to cut in and separate go carts from the tour. I've felt safe throughout both tours that I've taken and I 1) wouldn't have taken the tour a second time and 2) wouldn't recommend to you if I had not felt safe.

One last super cute thing about this tour is the "fifteen minutes of fame" you get to experience on Kokousai Street. You might be thinking: If this kind of tour happened all the time in my city I'd hate it... I bet people honk there horns and yell and blah blah blah...  Not in Naha. They do not honk their horns (if you recall from the driving post, that's rude here in Okinawa). And, when you drive down Kokousai Street (part of your tour) you'll feel like a celebrity. Don't forget that you are dressed like a famous cartoon character as you drive around. No matter how many times people have seen it, they're excited to see ridiculous people dressed up on go carts. Also, a lot of people on Kokousai Street are tourist so they're excited to capture a photo of you for their Shutterfly book. This is the fun part - you get to be Minnie Mouse (or whoever you are). Smile for the camera. Wave! Be a celebrity. Zach and I are very cheesy and had a great time waving to the people and saying, "Hello!" Why not!? They'd smile, we'd smile! Bottom line - this experience is super fun!

Okay, so since you're still reading this blog I know that you're convinced that you're going to come to Okinawa, therefore, you must add this activity to your list - See downtown Naha...MariCar style! Let me know what costume you'll be picking out in the comment section and I'll be sure they have it ready for your trip😉.

If you are in Okinawa and interested in going on a MariCar tour, you'll need to set up a tour through MariCAR Okinawa (you can find them on Facebook). For the actual tour you'll need to wear closed-toe shoes and bring the proper forms of ID. If you're a SOFA status driver (like me) you'll need your SOFA license and your ID. If you're visiting Okinawa, because it's amazing, you'll need your passport and driver's license. 

Left Side

As I mentioned last time I'd like to share my story of learning about the left side of things here in Okinawa.

Just as Bilbo needed to learn how to ride a horse,

I needed to learn how to drive on the left side of the road

- and learn Japanese driving law.

Part of being stationed in Okinawa is attending a Welcome Aboard briefing day. Throughout the day you learn about Okinawa, housing, healthcare, services available to you, the laws of the land and the legal proceedings that follow if an issue occurs. Vendors also attend this event to advertise their services (side note: attendees can receive coupons for upcoming grocery and household good purchases as they restock their homes here in Okinawa at this event or at MCCS). Although this is a long day, it is a beneficial one.

You may be wondering, "How can they convince everyone moving to Okinawa to attend the Welcome Aboard?"

Answer: "SOFA License."

The Japanese government and the U.S. Military have an agreement that, without getting into much detail, results in a SOFA status. With SOFA status you are able to sit for an exam to receive a driver's license in Japan. This exam happens during the Welcome Aboard. Throughout the day you register for and take the exam. If you pass, you receive your license at the end of the brief.

Coming to Okinawa, I, like most people, had never driven on the left side of the road. My husband had experienced driving on the opposite side in Europe so he was not quite as nervous as I was. Due to my nerves, I studied two different guides, a set of internet flashcards, and took a Japanese online quiz while my husband perused one study guide and browsed some flashcards.

When it came time for the exam I was so nervous. Driving in Okinawa was going to be essential. If I wanted a job, I had to drive. If I wanted an adventure, I had to drive. I had to pass.

We had "x" amount of minutes to complete fifty or so questions. When I put my pencil down I breathed a sigh of relief, turned in my exam, and waited.

And waited. You have to wait through three or four briefs and the lunch break before you find out if you passed.

When we returned from lunch we stood in line. Some people rejoiced that they passed. Others cried or looked upset that they failed. When we got to the front of the table, a kind woman asked for our names. We told her. She pulled out our cards. She said, "You passed." I exhaled and squealed. She instructed us to sign our licenses and then to proceed back to our seats. Our licenses would be available for pick up at the end of the day.

Eighteen people failed that day. In a Welcome Aboard of over a hundred people, eighteen failed. Not that many but it still proves that you can fail. So my advice is this: don't believe it when we people tell you "It's common sense." Get the manual and study. If you do you'll have a much higher chance of succeeding.

When we left the Welcome Aboard that day, we left with licenses in hand. A few days later we acquired two vehicles (one of them is pictured above). The day we purchased them was the first day I drove on the left side of the road. Let's put it this way, for the first week I felt like I was sixteen again and driving for the first time. I had to focus 100% on driving. Forget memorizing landmarks or streets I was too busy trying to make sure I was following the road laws, some of which are different from ours. For example, in the states right turn on red is legal; here left turn on red is illegal. Now that I have driven more (thanks to the encouragement of my husband) I am more comfortable and have started memorizing routes. Just like driving on the right side, practice makes perfect.

One thing that is very helpful when learning to drive in Okinawa is the speed limit. The average speed near our house is 40 kph which comes out to just under 25 mph. The speed limit on one of the main routes is 50 kph which is 31 mph. With the speed limits being so slow it's easier to learn because you have more time to think and react. But if you feel the need for speed you can take the interstate which at some points is 80 kph which is just under 50 mph!

Overall, driving in Okinawa is not something to be afraid of - if I can do it, you can do it! Just remember, you're not the first person to hit your windshield wipers instead of your blinker, to exit a gas station on the right side instead of the left, therefore, holding up traffic and clogging said exit, or panic when on a back road that isn't big enough for one car less alone two.

That's essentially what I have learned from driving on the left side in Okinawa - I'm not the first and I won't be the last.

Now that I have my license and a car - here's to many adventures!

For my followers, here's your clue for next time... keys.