Enjoy garden home tours from eclectic bloggers including a military family’s off base housing in Okinawa, Japan with renter friendly decorating ideas.
Hi friend! Welcome to our little garden. My friend Ursula from Homemade by Carmona invited me to join her Garden Party Tours and I’m thrilled to be a part of them. Tours have been going on ALL week so scroll down to the bottom to see all the pretty gardens!
Garden Party Tours: 25+ Creative Solutions for Outside
If you are new here, welcome and konichiwa! We are a military family based in Okinawa, Japan and live in a cute half Japanese-half American style house. Having a yard is definitely rare but we found the perfect rental for our family and pets. We are no strangers to typhoons so everything we have outside has to come in periodically. None the less, my kids and I really like spending time in our little yard.
Here’s a view of the yard and the back of our house. Those shutters are storm proof. The entire house can close up for typhoons. It’s kind of cool and a little scary. 😉
What completely sold me on this house was the partial view of the ocean. So pretty! We also can enjoy it from the upstairs balconies.
Two rope swings have quickly become my kids’ favorite spots. I tell you what, they are super comfortable when there is a nice-ocean breeze!
A few plants, Chikyu (my gold water buffalo), tatami mats, and garden seats are a fun nod to Japanese culture and make the little patio cozy when the weather isn’t too hot and humid to enjoy. 
Here’s what the house looks like when the storm shutters are closed preparing for a typhoon. Concrete walls make this the safest place to be during a storm.
I hope you enjoyed the garden tour. If you would like to see the inside of the house, click HERE and make sure to check out my summer page full of DIYs, decorating tips, and printables for the season. 
Ursula @ Home Made by Carmona says
What a great view! I miss seeing the water… I love all your little touches Kathy. And your Japanese-American style house is perfect! I can’t lie, I really wish I could visit. Lol!
Kathy says
Please do!! Thanks so much for organizing the tour. So much fantastic talent and inspiration!
JenWoodhouse.com says
Hi Kathy! Fellow military spouse here too! I love your outdoor space – the hammocks, the plants, even the storm shutters! I love how you’ve made this space your own. Sending love from across the pond! xo
Kathy says
Yay! Hello friend. Thank you so much for the kind words. 🙂
Aniko @ Place Of my Taste says
I don’t think you could make that tiny outdoor space cuter! Love those hanging chairs! Happy Summer!Xo
Kathy says
Aw! Thanks sweetie!
jessica says
Those outdoor chair swings are so cool and perfect for your setting. I am so happy you shared your outdoor space, it is so pretty and it flows well with your interiors.
Kathy says
Thank you so much Jessica! xoxo
[email protected] says
That view would have sold me too! I love the hanging chairs and that macrame planter!
Kathy says
Thanks Ashley! 🙂
Chris - Celebrations At Home says
You have made a small space SO charming. I love the pop of blue, and those storm shutters are fabulous! I want them just for the textural interest!
Kathy says
Love it! The house reminds me of a British Colonial when the storm shutters are closed. lol Thanks for the kind words Chris!
Christine says
Love it! Can I ask where you got the garden stool and swings? We’re stationed here too and I’ve been searching for a garden stool like that! Thanks:)
Kathy says
Thanks! The chairs I ordered from AMAZON, you can find them HERE> . The garden stool came from Kaden BX but I’ve seen them at the gift stores on base too!
Jen @ The Striped House says
Hi Friend! I am crushing on those hammock chairs 🙂 I’ve never seen black Adirondack chairs before, but I love them! Great job and happy summer!
Kathy says
Thank you Jen! The chairs are just plastic and were green. A coat of spray paint updated them!
Emily @ Table & Hearth says
I could swing in one of those chairs all day long and stare at that water!! You have made such a pretty home over there 🙂
Kathy says
Thank you so much Emily!
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins Living says
Absolutely Beautiful Kathy!!! Just so pretty to see all this view!
Kathy says
Thanks Steph. I’m sad to be moving so soon but we are excited to travel all over mainland. 🙂