First Time Driving in Okinawa 🇯🇵🚗 | Car Rental, A&W Nostalgia & Family Reunion

First Time Driving in Okinawa 🇯🇵🚗 | Car Rental, A&W Nostalgia & Family Reunion

This is pretty scary, guys. Who gave her this uh international permit? Are you on the right? You’re supposed to be Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You’re right. Can you drop me off at the MRT? [Music] Yeah. [Music] So good. [Music] [Music] We are at the airport again, but this time not to fly out. We’re actually picking up a car today for a rental. We booked it through and we were given instructions to meet them here on gate 5 departure. Then I believe they’re going to take you to a different parking lot. And that’s where you’re going to pick up the car. [Music] She [Music] la. Yeah. [Music] Do I need to like turn it? Turn right. Oh, turn left. Turn left. Turn left. Yeah. Okay. Head north, then turn left. Okay. Are you on the right? You’re supposed to be. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You’re right. Turn right on the next street. Listen. Yeah. Take the next right, then turn left. Left. Turn left. Can you drop me off at the MRT? We should just head to Family Mart. Uh, we still can. Oh, yeah. Let’s go straight. We go straight. Yeah. So you can um adjust adjust all the mirrors. Yeah. So this is interesting. You guys, by the way, the lane for us is right here. Okay. Yeah. No, I mean like when you go straight, it’s right there. I’m all like, “Yeah, exactly. Half the money is going to come from chicken.” This entire trip. All right. How about you make a U-turn and then return the car? It’s fine. They can keep our money. We take the MRT. It’s fun, though. Yeah. That’s roomy. Right. Right. Ty and Ty’s like above sixfooter, dude. Like my knee is touching the dashboard. We’re like on a Mario Kart. I guess I think so. [Music] It’s so weird, isn’t it? This is so weird. I’m just not used to the hands. Turn right. [Music] Yeah. First one on the list. Turn right. We made it. Our first destination after getting the car. Got to take advantage. Your destination is on the right. Here it is. K. [Applause] Let’s [Music] see if it’s as good as it looks. And you know, it looks like there’s actually some animal as well. And the crunch of the onion rings, it’s amazing, guys. They used to have A&W back at home in California. But it’s so funny cuz I don’t. And now that they’re gone, I’m having it in Okinawa. I wish I’ve tried it before. So, I got to have something to compare with. But this guys, [Music] what does it taste like? Uh, apple lollipop. Does it taste like apple lollipop? Confirm. [Music] Oh yeah. Different. It has the fake flavor. Like apple apple flavored lollipop. Oh yeah, that’s what they need. Apple lollipop. [Music] Now we’re going to try to get out of here real quick. Then make a U-turn. Watch out. Okay, man. You’re scaring us. Sorry. Sorry. I was trying to re reverse. I had it in the wrong one. That’s hard. Sorry. What? I I saw you on I’m just closing my eyes. Can Can we just go return the car now? So, I counted so far, guys. 10. Marin’s trying to turn left or right, and the wipers automatically turns on. I’m learning like a new muscle memory. Okay. Yeah. So, anyways, this is pretty scary, you guys. This is like a thing. Who gave her this uh international permit? She shouldn’t have any permit to drive. We’re trying to get pull out of the parking lot earlier, but she pulled out too far to the lane. People can sideswipe us. So she try to go reverse and then look the reverse is right here. Oh, they’re after us. But anyways, it’s the she put on neutral. Oh my god. And we’re like going downhill towards the street. All I heard is but we’re going forward instead of reverse. And then dude, I like I shut down. I froze. Cuz when Ty was like, “Dad, are you okay? You’re Dad’s unconscious.” But then I was closing my eyes praying. Oh my god. Like I think Connor is right when he said, “I think all our money is going to be gone on tickets.” Oh, see that? See that? She’s about to turn the this again. Like, see this? What happened? This pretty entertaining, guys. Scary, but entertaining. It’s like you’re watching a movie. If you’re not part of it, you would laugh. But since we’re part of this, it’s kind of scary and funny at the same time. I don’t know what proper etiquette out here when driving to be honest with you. Yeah, we’re learning as we go. But I’m really proud of Marion cuz she has the guts to actually do this in Philippines. I won’t let her drive cuz it’s crazier than here. Honestly, there’s more motorcycles, more traffic, and you got to be aggressive out there. Whereas here it’s like American driving. It’s just the opposite. And then uh like the sign is in Japanese, English. It’s not that complicated. Just got to like change your muscle memory to opposite. Yeah. Okay. So, here’s our hotel right there. [Music] Okay. So, we are here parking. This is the parking garage at our hotel. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] My Okinawan family. Yay. [Music] Heat up here. [Music]

Driving in Okinawa for the very first time 🚗 — and it’s just as chaotic (and hilarious) as you’d imagine! From picking up our rental car and adjusting to driving on the left side to reliving A&W nostalgia and reconnecting with family after 10 years, this day was full of laughs and meaning.

➡️ Car rental process in Okinawa (we booked through Klook — super convenient for tourists!)
➡️ First-time driving in Japan experience — left side of the road, right-hand steering
➡️ A&W Okinawa — why it’s such a nostalgic favorite 🍔🥤
➡️ Family reunion dinner — reconnecting after 10 years ❤️

As Fil-Am travelers with Okinawan roots, this trip means so much to us. Whether you’re planning to drive in Japan, curious about Okinawa’s unique food scene, or just love family travel chaos — you’ll enjoy this adventure.

If you enjoyed this, check out more of our favorite family adventures:
🇯🇵 First Time in Okinawa → https://youtu.be/hWETyZa0IAE?si=87gICkum-uJ8jrXj
🏝 Palawan Resort Stay (Astoria) → https://youtu.be/IZye3Hc-LLE?si=WaRaUOcghh2HLNvP
🇹🇼 Hidden Gem Taiwan (Yilan) → https://youtu.be/eqdke20yrLc?si=i3tXMU3SYdQRPJsp

✨ More vlogs from Okinawa are on the way — stay tuned! 💛

#Okinawa #JapanTravel #DrivingInJapan #OkinawaVlog #FamilyVlog
#TravelJapan #CarRentalJapan #AWOkinawa #OkinawaFood #thetykofam

➡️ Subscribe for more Okinawa vlogs + family travel adventures across Japan, the Philippines, and beyond!
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Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting our journey — see you on the next vlog, fam!

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📌 ABOUT THE TYKO FAM
We’re a Filipino-American family originally from California, now living in Metro Manila and traveling part-time across Asia. We vlog about family life, food, travel, and reconnecting with our roots — one meaningful adventure at a time.

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💛 TRAVEL PLANS SOON? HERE’S SOMETHING HELPFUL!
We’re now affiliated with Klook — one of our go-to sites for booking fun activities, transfers, and local experiences.

If you’re planning a trip, you can use our code THETYKOFAMKLOOK at checkout to save a little ✨ (available in Asia, the US, and Canada).
It helps you out — and helps support our family vlog too 🧡

🎟️ Use code: THETYKOFAMKLOOK
🔗 Book here: https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=88315&aff_adid=1075438&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2F

Thanks so much for being here and joining us on our adventures — big or small! 🌍💛

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🎵 MUSIC WE USE
Like our music? Listen to the tracks we use in our videos:
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(And yes, we tried the 30-day trial and now we’re hooked!)

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0:00 Intro
0:44 Car Rental Process
1:45 Official Driving Adventures Begin!
3:33 Next Stop: A&W – Naha Shintoshin Omoro
5:30 More Driving in Japan Adventures & Mishaps 😬
8:12 First Time Parking at Revolving Parking Garage
8:53 Driving out of Naha City to Uruma, and Family Reunion