Okinawa

[Vega Wrap]

Personally, I wouldn't risk it at all. Safer to deal with the soaps if you have the cash and patience. (shame) Still, if I had to go over there I'd take a few precautions.

1. Off days, off hours. Always. It should be a no brainer at this point that payday weekends are a dead deal. I'd avoid peak hours as well. Hit it up in the daytime. Yeah its broad daylight, but still.

2. Don't bring your Yplate. Obviously they'll fuck with you then. Hell they could snap a pic of your plate in the area and now you have to explain that. On foot is a possibility, but somebody already mentioned the risks involved with that one.

To me you have 2 options. Either grab a cab from a safe distance, ride it in and get out exactly where you want to be. (still have to risk getting a cab back out.)

Or, Know a dark, discreet entrance in and out of the OLZ.

There is one major facility with a parking lot, and a few residential apts that are connected to the shopping area by a small alley or a single staircase. (some of you should know the ones I mean). Learn them. Use them.

That way, you're not in the zone, walk up a flight of stairs, your discreetly in the spot, get it done, back down the stairs and out.

I used to used the parking lot down the steps option from way back, because it give me a place to park my car that is not only out of view of the zone, but it lets you get on and off the main road without turning up the known main entrance.

After all, if you use either of the "main entrances" anybody who sees your car turn in or turn out of those knows damn well what you are up to. Take a few streets down and learn to backtrack.

[Mr Happy Feet]

Nope I am not AD, work on base but I also have my gajin visa so I just pulled that out and told NCIS to suck it. Went back during this past week a couple of times. JPs are patrolling but not stopping anyone. Seem like a lot of shops were not open for business.

I drove through Saturday before 7pm and it was starting to pick up, but I was the only American. I have a retired card and will attempt to use that for ID if pressed. Was NCIS on foot or driving? Can you say what they were driving? Thanks for the information.

MHF

[Brian24]

Brian,

The MPs let you go? Did they ask for your SOFA card? I am guessing you are not AD.

I went yesterday during the late afternoon but stayed around the five intersection spots. Had a nice time with Lili. She works up by the pay parking lot.

MHF

Nope I am not AD, work on base but I also have my gajin visa so I just pulled that out and told NCIS to suck it. Went back during this past week a couple of times. JPs are patrolling but not stopping anyone. Seem like a lot of shops were not open for business.

[GroundCrew]

JP's and MP's were out in force at Yoshi on Friday night. I was pulled over by the JP's and had to take a breath test and then was stop by the MP's and asked what I was doing in that area.

Hmmm... Payday?

Note to self: do not go on payday.

How late on Friday night?

I can see getting away with driving around the area but if they catch you walking the alleys? Really no excuse then. Better to stay out of the OLZ.

Is the dirt parking lot near the 5-way the only pay lot in the area that is not in the OLZ? I hate that one because everyone walking around can see your car.

[Mr Happy Feet]

JP's and MP's were out in force at Yoshi on Friday night. I was pulled over by the JP's and had to take a breath test and then was stop by the MP's and asked what I was doing in that area.

Brian,

The MPs let you go? Did they ask for your SOFA card? I am guessing you are not AD.

I went yesterday during the late afternoon but stayed around the five intersection spots. Had a nice time with Lili. She works up by the pay parking lot.

MHF

[Brian24]

Heard a rumor that two motor-t guys got pinched by NCIS just for being in Yoshi. Can anybody confirm?

JP's and MP's were out in force at Yoshi on Friday night. I was pulled over by the JP's and had to take a breath test and then was stop by the MP's and asked what I was doing in that area.

[Mr Happy Feet]

Ok, downloaded the message today and reread it. It is dated 27 Aug 10 and applies to all SOFA status personnel (mil, civ, contractor, and families) assigned to MCBJ/III MEF and is for all of Yoshihara. Whole the previous posted map is not one of the mmaps that are part of the policy it does fairly accurately depict the area.

Heard a rumor that two motor-t guys got pinched by NCIS just for being in Yoshi. Can anybody confirm?

[Member #2801]

Ok, downloaded the message today and reread it. It is dated 27 Aug 10 and applies to all SOFA status personnel (mil, civ, contractor, and families) assigned to MCBJ/III MEF and is for all of Yoshihara. Whole the previous posted map is not one of the mmaps that are part of the policy it does fairly accurately depict the area.

You are correct. Just viewed the MCB S. D. Butler website and the Yoshihara Red Light District is now "Off Limits". No really big loss, as IMHO and even with the demise of the Maehara RLD, Yoshihara had been on a downhill spiral.

Too many young, immature servicemembers not knowing how to behave, but that's all a part of growing up. So where does this leave a hard-core monger?

Well, if you have deep pockets, a sense of adventure as well as a fairly good deal of patience, the Tsuji district in Naha is a dependable option. I usually hit the area once a month, and always have managed to have a good time.

Can't see the authorities trying to put Tsuji "Off Limits", as unlike Yoshihara which didn't have a lot in the way of "Legitimate businesses", Tsuji has

A variety of places, be it bar's, restaurant's, izakaya's mixed in with the soaplands and hostess club's.

Happy hunting.

[Psdai]

At the end of last month (AUG 10) they came out with a message stating all of Yoshihara was off limits to SOFA and if I recall correctly it was all SOFA not just III MEF/MCBJ. I willl pull the offical message today when I get into work to verify and provide it to whoever would like a copy.

Ok, downloaded the message today and reread it. It is dated 27 Aug 10 and applies to all SOFA status personnel (mil, civ, contractor, and families) assigned to MCBJ/III MEF and is for all of Yoshihara. Whole the previous posted map is not one of the mmaps that are part of the policy it does fairly accurately depict the area.

[Psdai]

So. Somebody ran across one establishment in Yoshihara (Shampoo) that is listed on the MCB Butler website as being an "Off-Limits" business and is stating that the whole area is off-limits to MCBJ/III MEF personnel. I don't think so.

Man been a long time since I posted on these boards...that said, the orginal poster is not refering to the DEC 09 message for one establishment. At the end of last month (AUG 10) they came out with a message stating all of Yoshihara was off limits to SOFA and if I recall correctly it was all SOFA not just III MEF/MCBJ. I willl pull the offical message today when I get into work to verify and provide it to whoever would like a copy.

...and no they do not hav the resources to patrol it all of the time but NCIS and CID have been known to conduct surveilence on the area in the past. Also, it doesn't take them patrolling it. It just takes some drunk fool starting problems with you and the locals call in the authorities. Now you go down because someone else couldn't control themselves and you were in an off limits site.

Won't stop me from visiting every once in awhile but you need to know the facts and the possible repurcussions of your actions should somethng go wrong.

[GroundCrew]

I went through around 1030 this am. Two or three good providers out. One other Y-plater, no signs of patrools.

MHF

I've noticed lots of the nicer ones come out after 1:00 pm and many only work a few hours.

Coming back to the off limits zone, yeah, Member #2801 is right. I'm must be full of shit. Sorry to alarm y'all. Actually, the so-called off limits zone has the best talent on the whole island. Was keeping it to myself but I guess you figured that out. You guys are too sharp. Go out and play. Be freeeeee!!!!

[DdrSupnova]

I was over at CoCo's Spa over in Uruma on Thursday afternoon. Not much business going on there so I stopped in like before opted for the 60 min Hot body massage. The girl behind the counter said it was for Japanese only and all I could have was standard massage. I said to myself WTF! I told the girl that I have been here before and I am a regular (and never had any problems before). She went in the back to discuss this with her boss and came back and said Japanese only for Hot Body massage. So I made a 180 and headed back out the door. SO FYI to all you Guygin's out there and heads up that this place does BS like this.

First time there must've been a slow night or before some one try to do something stupid, because got hotbody option with no questions asked.

All it was a clothed soapmat type message with standard happy ending.

[Mr Happy Feet]

Sorry, I have to retract what I said. This off limits bulletin only applies to SOFA personnel attached to USMCJ/III-MEF and NOT all SOFA personnel.

My bad

I went through around 1030 this am. Two or three good providers out. One other Y-plater, no signs of patrools.

MHF

[Member #2801]

Sorry, I have to retract what I said. This off limits bulletin only applies to SOFA personnel attached to USMCJ/III-MEF and NOT all SOFA personnel.

My bad

So. Somebody ran across one establishment in Yoshihara (Shampoo) that is listed on the MCB Butler website as being an "Off-Limits" business and is stating that the whole area is off-limits to MCBJ/III MEF personnel. I don't think so. This Bulletin was dated 03 Dec 2009 and do you think the military authorities have the time or resources to really enforce this? It's hilarious seeing the Y-plates with Officer decals and / or the red E-9 bumper sticker driving thru the area. I'm sure they're taking the time and initiative to ensure their troops are behaving. Not!

[GroundCrew]

This is just a google map. I have lots of experience with off limit reports and this isn't one. It could be a map, but will also always contain some type of a directive. Is there any type of directive with this or just a red line with "off limits". And when something like this happens it is widely publicized via email and commander's, this has not been. Thoughts?

Sorry, I have to retract what I said. This off limits bulletin only applies to SOFA personnel attached to USMCJ/III-MEF and NOT all SOFA personnel.

My bad