The "American" Village

South of where we live is a collection of restaurants and shops known collectively as American Village. Locals and Americans both love to visit. Matt and I have made the drive for the past three weekends! They have American staples such as Starbucks and Red Lobster as well as hotdog stands, burger joints, and frozen yogurt. There are also the Okinawan classics of taco rice and sushi available. Matt and I were tickled to shop in one of the American-themed stores. It was filled with denim, cowboy boots and hats, leather jackets, and "vintage" sweatshirts (really old sweatshirts from American universities). And patches from random uniforms. Bins and bins of patches that they will sew onto whatever denim clothing you decide to purchase.

Our favorite place to visit is the Sega store. It is an arcade with claw machines and games. Matt and I have a favorite game that we affectionally call the drum game. It is similar to Rock Band, but you have to play the Japanese drum (the taiko) on beat to the song. There are little animated taikos that cheer you on as your play! Matt tried a higher difficulty setting once, and his animated drum just left the screen when it wasn't going well.

Matt won me a milk tea-flavored lollipop! It was..bleh. 

Me and my friend showing off our drumming skills!

During this season there are Christmas lights all over American Village. Since Thanksgiving isn't celebrated here they came out the day after Halloween. Particularly the American-themed stores go all out with Santa and reindeer all over the place.

Whoever comes to visit us will definitely be treated to dinner and a challenge on the drum game at one of our new hang out spots - American Village!