Overview
Because every situation is different (ESID), we recommend asking your predecessor(s) for an idea of which clothes will be acceptable. We also advise that new JETs dress professionally at first. While you settle in, look around to see what other teachers are wearing, especially teachers in the same department (for SHS/JHS JETs, English department teachers) or similar positions (for ES JETs, homeroom teachers). As everyone generally arrives during summer vacation, teachers will most likely be dressed more casually than usual, so please keep this in mind. Most schools start the first day of the semester with an opening ceremony, in which some JETs may be asked to give an introduction to the entire school, so please dress professionally.
As a general rule, start off formal at work in order to make a good first impression. Over time, you can slowly adjust your clothing to match the rest of the staff.
Guidelines
Shirts
Button-ups are recommended. Kariyushi wear (Okinawan button-ups), polo shirts, and suit shirts are all professional shirts accepted at most schools. Blouses are also acceptable, but they should have a high neckline.
T-shirts are usually only permissible for special school-related events.
Pants
Slacks and suit pants are recommended. Elementary schools can be more casual with many teachers wearing tracksuits and dark-colored jeans. Please check with your predecessor to get a general idea of acceptable pants.
Dresses and Skirts
Hems should fall below your knees. Many teachers will wear pantyhose or leggings underneath knee-length garments. Dresses and skirts falling at the mid-calf and below are recommended and do not generally require pantyhose or leggings.
General Guidelines
- If a shirt shows any part of your back or cleavage when you bend over, it should not be worn at work.
- If you can see any part of your stomach or back when your arms are raised, it should not be worn at work.
- If it has no sleeves, it should not be worn at work by itself; shoulders should be covered at all times.
- Tattoos must be covered up at all times.
Suits
While most schools in Okinawa do not require their ALTs to wear suits on a daily basis, it is important that everyone has at least one suit for important meetings and events, such as Tokyo Orientation, Skills Development Conferences (SDC), recontracting ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, and speech contests. Please note that kariyushi wear does not replace a suit on the mainland or at important ceremonies such as graduation ceremonies.
Kariyushi
Kariyushi shirts are a standard item in many Okinawans’ closets. Wearing kariyushi will often keep you cooler than traditional dress shirts while still looking just as appropriate for the workplace. As such, we highly recommend that you purchase at least one of these shirts. If you are lucky, you may be able to find one at a discount or secondhand store for a great price. If not, large department stores generally offer a good variety for ¥3,000-6,000. You can also shop for them online; brands such as Majun and Mango House have great websites to browse. Majun, in particular, has several lines, including a plus-size line.
Footwear
Unlike many of our home countries, Japan has many rules regarding footwear that can be confusing. For most of us, the important thing to remember is that different rooms can have different rules. Officially, proper footwear in school is business casual, such as slip-on leather dress shoes. As ESID applies to footwear as well, we recommend asking your predecessor(s) for specifics regarding your school(s).
- All the time
- In some schools, teachers spend the entire day in their indoor shoes. In such cases, please prepare comfortable shoes with a clean sole. These shoes can range from slides to sneakers to nice slip-on shoes.
- Staff Room Only
- In some schools, indoor shoes are only required in the staff room. In this case, easy to slip on shoes are recommended. While teaching, you may be expected to wear your outdoor shoes. In this case, you may need to invest in a pair of comfortable, professional shoes.
- Specific Rooms
- In addition to general guidelines for schools, certain rooms also have footwear rules.
- Tatami rooms
- Shoes can damage tatami mats, so please ensure that you remove your shoes before stepping on any tatami mats.
- Restrooms/Toilets
- Many schools will provide restroom slippers that everyone shares. As you step into the restroom, remove your shoes and slip into one of the provided pairs of slippers.
- Gyms
- Unless set up for an event with a protective cover over the floor, gyms require indoor shoes.
- Tatami rooms
- In addition to general guidelines for schools, certain rooms also have footwear rules.
- Official Functions/Special Events
- For official functions and special events, please remember that the dress code is formal business wear. Your shoes need to match this dress code, so please do not wear slippers, slides, open-toed shoes, or other similar casual shoes. Official functions include the Okinawa New JET Orientation, the Skills Development Conference, and graduation ceremonies.
Winter Wear
Okinawa can be deceptively cold in winter. Although the outside temperature may not be very cold, the accompanying rain and wind can be quite chilly. Additionally, the lack of insulation in the concrete buildings results in very little temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. Please bring a good jacket with you for these days. You may also need warm clothes for at-home use.
Those interested in traveling to mainland Japan during this season may also want snowy weather clothes. You may have trouble finding this sort of clothing in Okinawa as snow is a rare phenomenon.
See Weather for more information.
Clothing Recommendations
Okinawan summers can get very hot with the temperatures averaging in the low thirties (°C) and the humidity levels reaching as high as 95%. As summer generally lasts from May to October, those arriving in August will want to be prepared with plenty of summer-friendly clothes. August through September is also typhoon season, so you may want to bring a lightweight raincoat. For those interested in shopping, here are some recommendations to get you started:
Swimwear
A perk of living in Okinawa is beach access. If you are at all interested in visiting the beach, please bring a swimsuit as it might be hard to find one in your size. While bikinis are acceptable at the beach, please note that gyms tend to be more conservative, requiring one-pieces and swimshirts.
Footwear
Japanese shoes are measured using centimeters. Women’s shoes are available up through 25 centimeters, and men’s shoes are available up through 28 centimeters. If you look, you may be able to find larger sizes, especially online. Although expensive, importing shoes is an option if needed.
- ABC Mart
- Found in most AEON shopping centers, ABC Mart sells shoes for all occasions in a variety of sizes. ABC Mart also carries many international brands such as Vans, Converse, and Nike.
Jeans
Most JETs should not have trouble finding shirts that fit them here in Japan. The same cannot be said for pants, however, as length is often an issue. Those over 190 centimeters may need to rely on online shopping to get an inseam that reaches the ankle. Those with curves may also need to rely on online shopping to purchase clothes that fit adequately.
Undergarments
While not impossible, Japanese sizing can make shopping for bras and underpants difficult. Many Japanese bras tend to run small with lots of padding. Fortunately, shipping is a possibility, so you may be able to buy clothes from another country.
- Shimamura
- Shimamura carries different styles of bras that go up to the size 5L.
- San-A Department Stores
- Bigger department stores tend to have a larger size range. If you are in need of a larger size, check out Naha Main Place.
Sweat-Wicking Clothes
In order to combat the mugginess of Okinawa’s weather, we recommend wearing layers. While it may seem counterintuitive, many clothing companies have lines specifically designed to keep you feeling fresh throughout the day. Wearing moisture-wicking undershirts, underwear, and even socks is definitely worth trying if you never have before.
- Uniqlo’s Airism
- The Airism line from Uniqlo does a good job of wicking away sweat for a low price tag. They have many undershirts and undershorts available in a wide range of sizes. Most products can be purchased online and delivered in a few days.
For product recommendations, please check out Combating Summer.
Plus-Size
Due to the trend for oversized, loose fitting garments, many popular chain stores carry sizes that work for a variety of body shapes.
- H&M
- H&M is a great option to shop for both casual and work-appropriate clothes. While H&M does offer fast shipping through its online store, sizing can be difficult to judge, and many considered plus-size by Japanese standards may be able to find clothes that fit among the regular selection.
- Shimamura
- Foel Naha Oroku
- Located near Book Off Oroku Branch
- Noannu
- While on the pricier side, Noannu has a great selection of clothes for plus-sizes.
- ANTIQULTURE in AEON Rycom
- Because many of their vintage clothes are sourced from other countries, the size range is greater than most Japanese stores. The downside is that these pieces can be quite expensive and difficult to find in the vastness of the store.
