okinawa

japan

๐ŸŒด Welcome to Gals That Brunch Okinawa! ๐ŸŒด

Weโ€™re just getting started here on this beautiful little island, and already something special is unfolding. Whether youโ€™re brand new to Okinawa or youโ€™ve been here for a while and just need a place to exhaleโ€”youโ€™re in the right spot. GTB is a global sisterhood, but this chapter is yours, and itโ€™s still being written. One brunch, one brave hello, one deep breath at a time. We host 1โ€“2 events a monthโ€”from cozy coffee dates to curated island momentsโ€”and each one is a chance to meet new people, share stories, and feel just a little more at home. So come as you are. With big dreams or broken pieces. In your Sunday best or your โ€œjust rolled outta bedโ€ bun. Thereโ€™s room for you here. And sis? We already saved you a seat. ๐Ÿ’•

 

Meet Your City Leader:

Kaily Watson

I am a wine-loving, pink-obsessed cat mom of four, originally from Washington state and now soaking up the island life in Okinawa, Japan. I work as a paralegal by day and run a small sea glass art business inspired by the beautiful beaches around me. Whether Iโ€™m crafting, sipping something bubbly, or hunting for the perfect seashell, I am all about finding joy in the little things. I love connecting with new people, sharing laughs over good food, and building community!

FAQ | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Hey galโ€”can we have a lilโ€™ heart-to-heart? ๐Ÿ’–


    We know life happens. Schedules change. Plans shift. Emergencies pop up.


    And we hold space for all of it. We truly do. But alsoโ€ฆ

    We canโ€™t operate like everyone is the exception, ya know? ๐Ÿ˜…


    So hereโ€™s your soft and sparkly RSVP reminderโ€”equal parts gentle accountability and full-body hug.

    As much as we love a good dramatic entrance (fashionably late and fabulous, of course),
    thereโ€™s something important we need you to know:
    If you wake up on a Saturday or Sunday and those sign-up jitters hitโ€ฆ
    If you're tired from the night before or feeling like your presence might not make a differenceโ€ฆ

    Pause. Take a breath. And hear this, loud and clear:
    You. showing. up. matters.

    When you donโ€™t come, we all miss out on your magic.
    This isnโ€™t just about a name on a list or a seat at a tableโ€”
    This community? Itโ€™s built on the real-deal hearts of women like you.
    Your laugh. Your presence. Your awkward parking story or mimosa mishapโ€”
    Itโ€™s all part of the joy. And itโ€™s never the same without you.

    Letโ€™s also talk about the why behind RSVPs and sometimes little fees we attach to events:
    We donโ€™t charge to be exclusiveโ€”we charge to be excellent.
    That fee goes back into creating something beautiful:
    ๐Ÿ’ธ Signs, name tags, welcome cards, venue deposits, supplies, surprises, and alllll the little details that make this thing feel intentional and full of love.

    So when someone ghosts or bails last minute?
    Itโ€™s not just a missed chair. Itโ€™s a missed opportunityโ€”
    for another gal on the waitlist to be seen, known, included, and celebrated.
    Itโ€™s also a resource we no longer get to steward well. And girl, we want to steward this well.
    Weโ€™ve bargained, emailed, prayed, and probably even begged for those reservations ๐Ÿ˜‚โ€”
    so when we say it matters, we mean it from the top of our coffee mugs to the tips of our croissant crumbs.

    More than anything thoughโ€ฆ this policy isnโ€™t about rules.
    Itโ€™s about love. Itโ€™s about honor. Itโ€™s about respecting the sacred space weโ€™re building hereโ€”together.
    Itโ€™s how we care for one another.
    Itโ€™s how we show up for each other.
    And itโ€™s how we build a culture where no one gets left out, overlooked, or forgotten.

    So if something does come up (and we know it might), just let us know.
    No guilt. No shame. Just communication and care.
    Weโ€™ll always hold space for your humanity hereโ€”but we also believe in showing up for one another with honesty, grace, and kindness.

    This isnโ€™t a party. Itโ€™s a movement.
    This isnโ€™t about perfection. Itโ€™s about presence.
    This isnโ€™t just a seat at the table. Itโ€™s a chance to help set it.

    And you, dear gal, are such an important part of it all.

    We love you. Weโ€™re cheering for you.
    And we canโ€™t wait to see you at brunch. ๐Ÿ’•

  • While weโ€™re out here sipping lattes and forming life-giving friendships, weโ€™re also holding something sacred.
    This isnโ€™t just brunch. Itโ€™s a movement. Itโ€™s a culture. Itโ€™s a privilege.

    If you're repping GTB (online or IRL), know that you're an extension of this beautiful community.


    Youโ€™re part of something biggerโ€”and we take that seriously.

    Over the last almost 10 years, weโ€™ve built something that doesnโ€™t happen by accident.


    Itโ€™s been cultivated with intentionality, tenderness, and fierce love.

    And every gal who walks through the door becomes part of holding that sacred space.


    Whether itโ€™s your first time or your 200th, you are a culture carrier.

    Weโ€™ve spent a decade building a community marked by:

    โœจ Extreme generosity
    โœจ Radical love
    โœจ Honor in action
    โœจ Over-the-top inclusivity
    โœจ And a whole lotta hope-filled, joy-soaked energy

    So hereโ€™s what that means in real-life termsโ€”how we live it out together, every single time:

    ๐ŸŒท We honor every space weโ€™re invited into.
    These restaurants, patios, and venues donโ€™t owe us anything.
    We show up with gratitude, gentleness, and grace.
    And yesโ€”we always leave it better than we found it.
    That means cleaning up after ourselves, being courteous to staff, and never forgetting that our presence should feel like a gift.

    We understand that we are often a large group and that hosting us requires extra patience, coordination, and flexibility. So we lead with kindness, and we overcommunicate joy and gratitude. Thatโ€™s the GTB way.

    ๐Ÿšซ GTB is a drug-free, drama-free, diva-free space.
    We know this might go without sayingโ€”but around here, we like to say the good things out loud.

    Gals That Brunch is about creating a soft landing place. A space where women can show up fully, breathe a little easier, and feel safeโ€”body, mind, and spirit.

    Not out of judgment or shameโ€”but out of care.

    We never know what someone else is carrying, navigating, or healing from. And part of being in community is honoring that.

    So we come with open hearts, clear minds, and a shared desire to be presentโ€”to ourselves, and to one another.

    This isnโ€™t a party scene. Itโ€™s a soul scene.
    A space for slow mornings, deep laughs, meaningful connection, and maybe a little magic. โœจ

    ๐Ÿ’– Kindness is non-negotiable.
    Yes, that includes how you speak to fellow attendees and how you treat restaurant staff and venue partners.
    Even if someoneโ€™s having an off day. Even if your order is wrong. Even if it would be easier to respond sharply.

    We are not here to match energyโ€”we are here to shift culture. We lead with grace. We offer patience. We stand in the gap.

    We donโ€™t have to know someoneโ€™s story to treat them with honor.

    ๐Ÿชฉ You represent GTB
    Whether youโ€™re showing up at a gathering or posting online, you carry the name, the brand, and the energy.

    Itโ€™s a privilege to be part of this communityโ€”and it should never be abused. We are ambassadors of radical love and intentional community. We speak life, joy, and hopeโ€”because the world needs more of it.

    ๐Ÿซถ Everyone shares the responsibility.
    This isnโ€™t a business. Itโ€™s a love-fueled movement.
    Itโ€™s powered by volunteers, heart, and community.

    That means we ALL pitch in:

    • You welcome someone new.

    • You help clean up.

    • You model warmth and inclusion.

    • You hold the standardโ€”no matter your title or how many events youโ€™ve attended.

    We believe in leaving places more beautiful than we found themโ€”people included.

    ๐ŸŒˆ Inclusivity is our heartbeat.
    We are a community of many shapes, sizes, stories, and seasons.
    We welcome all women to the tableโ€”and we scoot over, pull up chairs, and make room for every voice.

    You donโ€™t have to be anything other than yourself to belong here.

    Everyone is part of the welcome committeeโ€”even if itโ€™s your first time.

    ๐Ÿ’ซ We donโ€™t just set the vibeโ€”we steward it.
    We tend to the atmosphere. We honor each other.
    We treat people how we hope to be treatedโ€”even when itโ€™s hard. Especially then.

    We bring beauty with us. We shift the energy in a room. We leave spaces softer, sweeter, and more full of life.

    We hold the culture like something preciousโ€”because it is.

    We are not perfectโ€”but we are intentional.
    This community is rare, and itโ€™s real, and itโ€™s a reflection of all the hearts that show up and pour in.

    This is not just a seat at the table.
    Itโ€™s an invitation to help set it.
    And weโ€™re so honored youโ€™re here.

  • From our hearts to yoursโ€ฆ

    We believe in long tables. The kind where you pull up a chair, even if itโ€™s your first time.


    Where someone looks up, sees you, and says โ€œHey, we saved you a seat.โ€
    Thatโ€™s what weโ€™re building here.

    Because hereโ€™s the thing:
    The strongest communitiesโ€”the ones that hold up under pressure, the ones that lastโ€”are the ones where everyone belongs. Not because we all look or think or believe the sameโ€ฆ but because we show up with kindness, with courage, and with open hands.

    At Gals That Brunch, we welcome women of all ages, stories, backgrounds, and beliefs.
    We are made better, braver, and more beautiful because of our diversity.
    We donโ€™t just tolerate differences. We celebrate them.

    Weโ€™re a community made up of women from every walk of life.
    Different cultures. Different belief systems.
    Different ways of voting, thinking, loving, worshiping, and living.
    And we love that about us.

    Because real connection isnโ€™t built on perfect agreementโ€”itโ€™s built on respect, curiosity, and the courage to keep showing up for each other.

    While we donโ€™t shy away from the hard stuff, we want you to know:
    We are a bi-partisan, people-first, radically welcoming space.
    That means we care more about how we treat each other...
    We lead with empathy. We listen without shame. We stay soft even when the world wants us to get hard.

    We know that some might call that naรฏve. Or privileged. Or โ€œplaying it safe.โ€
    But we call it brave.
    Because in a world thatโ€™s constantly trying to tear people apartโ€”
    weโ€™re committed to weaving people together.

    We are a community built on:

    ๐Ÿ’– Radical kindness โ€” the kind that shows up with snacks, saves a seat, and speaks with softness even when itโ€™s hard

    ๐ŸŒˆ Unshakeable inclusivity โ€” every body, every background, every belief system has a place here

    ๐Ÿซถ Shared responsibility โ€” this isnโ€™t a business, itโ€™s a sisterhood. That means we all carry the culture, we all clean up the table, we all make the magic

    ๐Ÿšซ Zero tolerance for hate โ€” or anything that diminishes someoneโ€™s worth, dignity, or humanity

    We will always protect the sacredness of this space.
    We will always choose kindness over coolness.
    We will always lean into grace, even when itโ€™s messy. Especially then.

    So if youโ€™re wondering if youโ€™ll fit in hereโ€”yes.
    If youโ€™re wondering if we meant you when we said โ€œevery womanโ€โ€”yes.
    If youโ€™ve ever longed for a place to laugh, cry, be silly, be real, or just beโ€”yes.

    This is not just a seat at the table.
    Itโ€™s an invitation to help set it.

    Weโ€™re so glad youโ€™re here.
    You belong. ๐Ÿ’›

  • Most of our events are geared toward the nature of adult life, so theyโ€™re designed for women 18+. If the event is hosted at a venue where alcohol is served, we follow the legal drinking age for your city, state, or country. ๐Ÿทโœจ

    We serve women navigating the realities of adulthood in all its forms.
    The messy. The magical. The mundane. The magnificent.

    We are women from all walks of lifeโ€”woven together by curiosity, courage, and a deep desire for connection.

    Weโ€™re made up of every background, body type, belief system, and storyโ€”and we wouldnโ€™t have it any other way.
    We all may love, vote, worship, and work a little differentlyโ€”but when we gather?
    Itโ€™s nothing short of breathtaking. Truly, the 8th wonder of the world.

    Our community includes creatives and caretakers, teachers and techies, stay-at-home mamas and students, entrepreneurs and dreamers, women whoโ€™ve built empires and women just beginning to whisper โ€œmaybe I could try.โ€

    And the one thing we all have in common?

    Weโ€™re human.
    Weโ€™re real.
    And weโ€™re better together.

    Weโ€™re not here to competeโ€”weโ€™re here to connect.
    Weโ€™re not here to impressโ€”weโ€™re here to belong.
    Weโ€™re not here to fit into a boxโ€”weโ€™re here to break the mold.

    So who shows up at brunch?

    โœจ Women figuring it out.
    โœจ Women whoโ€™ve figured some things out.
    โœจ Women who thought they had it all figured out until last week.
    โœจ Women who are rebuilding. Reimagining. Returning to themselves.

    You might be:

    ๐ŸŒ€ Navigating school, just graduated, or a young professional slaying your goals.
    ๐ŸŒ€ Quietly rebuilding after something hard, or finally stepping into something big.
    ๐ŸŒ€ In your โ€œI quit it all and moved into a vanโ€ era.
    ๐ŸŒ€ Single and searching. Married and learning. Newly dating or freshly heartbroken.
    ๐ŸŒ€ A mama with macaroni in your hairโ€ฆ or a mama whose kids now have more of a social life than you.
    ๐ŸŒ€ In transition. In your groove. In need of something real.

    ๐Ÿ’— Now letโ€™s talk to our mamas real quick...

    We LOVE our mamas in this communityโ€”you're our superheroes, our nurturers, our built-in snack providers and late-night cuddlers. But we also believe mamas deserve a break. A real one. ๐Ÿ’†โ€โ™€๏ธโœจ

    Most of our events are designed for you to kick off your mama hat, take a deep breath, and remember who you are.

    Every now and then, we might have special outings where the whole fam bam is welcomeโ€”or you might want to bring your daughter along for something sweet. If thatโ€™s the case, always check in with your local city leader first to make sure itโ€™s a fit.

    But more often than not?
    This is your space.
    To come exactly as you are.
    To sip slow, laugh loud, and fill your cup (literally + figuratively).
    To be seen beyond the roles you carry.
    To feel like you again.

    Because this isnโ€™t about how old you areโ€”
    Itโ€™s about what you're navigating, what you're carrying, and what youโ€™re longing to find.

    Whether you're new in town or born and raised here.
    Starting over or just starting out.
    Wrestling with who youโ€™ve been or blooming into who youโ€™re becomingโ€”

    Thereโ€™s room for you here.
    Not just a seat. A place.

    Because Gals That Brunch isnโ€™t about checking a box.
    Itโ€™s about creating spaces where women are seen, celebrated, and set free to be their whole selves.

    And girlโ€ฆ we saved you a seat. ๐Ÿ’—

  • Every event is a little differentโ€ฆbecause every space, every group, and every moment carries its own kind of magic.

    Some gatherings are cozy and intimate. Others? Full of energy, with gals pulling up extra chairs and scooting over to make space for one more.


    No matter the vibe, we always try to make room at the tableโ€”because we believe everyone deserves one.

    Here in Okinawa, weโ€™re just getting startedโ€”and already building something beautiful.


    We currently host 1โ€“2 events each month, ranging from casual hangs to curated experiences that help make this island feel more like home.

    Some events might be 7 gals deep, others a little biggerโ€”but no matter the size, the heart is the same:
    โœจ real-life connection
    โœจ laughter that lingers
    โœจ friendships that donโ€™t fade when the brunch ends

    You'll find a mix of gals:
    First-timers nervously saying โ€œyesโ€ for the first time,
    and new regulars whoโ€™ve found their people and canโ€™t wait to welcome you in.

    We design every event to help you build soul-filling friendshipsโ€”not just once, but over time.
    (Real talk: studies show it takes over 200 hours to form a deep friendshipโ€”weโ€™re here to help you build those hours. Gently. Joyfully. Consistently.)

    Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll typically find at GTB Okinawa:

    ๐Ÿซถ Organic Events

    Our most common and most accessible eventsโ€”often free or low-fee.

    These are the "pull up a chair, come as you are" moments.
    We make the plans, book the resys, and all you have to do is show up.
    Messy bun? No makeup? Solo or with a friend?
    Youโ€™re welcome exactly as you are.

    ๐ŸŽจ Curated Events

    Sometimes we add a little โœจextraโœจโ€”like a rooftop brunch, boutique collab, themed gathering, or creative workshop.

    These may carry a higher ticket price to reflect vendors, activities, or specialty offeringsโ€”but we always keep accessibility in mind.
    Theyโ€™re elevated, not exclusive.

    So, where should you start?
    Wherever your heart says yes.
    Thereโ€™s no wrong way in.

    Because hereโ€™s whatโ€™s true:

    Weโ€™re not just here to entertainโ€”weโ€™re here to build community.

    Letโ€™s be honestโ€”Okinawa has no shortage of beaches, coffee shops, and weekend plans.


    Whatโ€™s harder to find are spaces that go beyond the surface.

    Thatโ€™s where we come in.

    Our events are designed to:
    โœจ Create connection in a no-pressure way
    โœจ Make the island feel smaller and friendlier
    โœจ Help you navigate this post-college, post-transition, post-everything season where friendship feels harder than it should

    Because no one really prepares you for how weird and wonderful adult friendships can be.

    New jobs. PCS orders. Motherhood. Healing. Starting over.
    Itโ€™s all better when youโ€™re not doing it alone.

    We come together to support, celebrate, and champion the women in our city.


    We show up to sip lattes, share stories, cry if we need to, and remind each other: you are not alone.

    Lookโ€”we get it.
    Social media feels like connectionโ€ฆ
    But it doesnโ€™t hold your hand.
    It doesnโ€™t meet you for brunch.
    It doesnโ€™t ask how your week was and actually listen.

    As human beings, we are literally hardwired for community.

    And GTB helps solve that.

    The table is where real life happens.
    Where phones go down, eyes lift up, and hearts soften.


    Itโ€™s where women walk in a little heavy and walk out a little lighter.

    So come as you are.
    Big energy, quiet presence, in-between season and all.

    Because this?
    This is the table where the real stuff happens.


    And we saved you a seat. ๐Ÿ’—

  • aka: the pep talk you didnโ€™t know you needed from GTB Okinawa

    Heyyyyy sisstaaaaaa, sooooooul sistaaaaaaaโ€ฆ
    Where have you even been all our lives?! ๐Ÿฅน

    No but seriously.

    Letโ€™s just say the quiet part out loud:
    Showing up is scary.

    Not just the logistical stuffโ€”finding parking, walking into a space by yourself, scanning the group like โ€œdo I justโ€ฆ go up and say hi?โ€
    But the emotional stuff, too.

    Thereโ€™s a little voice that kicks in the second you consider RSVPing:

    โ€œWhat if everyone already knows each other?โ€
    โ€œWhat if Iโ€™m the only new one?โ€
    โ€œWhat if I get there and itโ€™s... awkward?โ€

    Breathe, beauty.
    You are not alone.

    GTB Okinawa is brand newโ€”like, weโ€™ve literally had one event so far.
    It was magical. 18 beautiful, brave gals showed up and made the whole island feel just a little more like home. ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿ’›
    And hereโ€™s the best part?

    Most of us are still new to each other.

    No cliques. No weird vibes. Just a bunch of women who said,
    โ€œIโ€™m craving connection, and Iโ€™m willing to go first.โ€

    So if youโ€™re feeling nervous? That makes you normal.
    If youโ€™re feeling hopeful? That makes you ready.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Our honest-to-goodness advice?

    Come solo.
    We knowโ€”it sounds intimidating. But something special happens when you show up alone.
    You stretch. You open up. You meet people you never wouldโ€™ve crossed paths with otherwise.

    When you come with a buddy, itโ€™s easy to stay in your safe little bubble.
    When you come solo? You create space for something new.

    That saidโ€”bring a friend if thatโ€™s what gets you through the door.
    No shame in the buddy system. But if youโ€™re on the fence? Let this be your nudge. ๐Ÿ’›

    ๐Ÿ‘ฏโ€โ™€๏ธ Soโ€ฆ whatโ€™s the vibe?

    GTB Okinawa is built on radical welcome.

    Weโ€™re here for deep belly laughs and awkward name tags, for swapping stories and sipping lattes, for building real friendships one event at a time.

    Whether youโ€™re new to the island, mid-PCS chaos, starting over after a breakup, a new mama craving adult convo, or just navigating one of those โ€œwhat even is my life?โ€ seasonsโ€ฆ

    Youโ€™re not just welcome here.
    Youโ€™re wanted here.

    The gals who show up get it. Theyโ€™ve stood in your shoes.
    Theyโ€™re youโ€”just maybe a brunch or two ahead.

    โœจ Hereโ€™s whatโ€™s true:

    You are worth knowing.
    Not because of what you do or who you came withโ€”but simply because of who you are.

    And if no oneโ€™s told you lately:
    You showing up is a miracle in motion.

    We say it often at GTB: You are the gift.
    Not the planner you bring, not the outfit you wear, not the social media highlight reel. Just you.

    Because real life? It doesnโ€™t happen in DMs or double taps.
    It happens around the table.

    It happens when you pull up a chair and say, โ€œHi, Iโ€™m here.โ€
    Itโ€™s shared stories, shared fries, and those โ€œwait, ME TOO?!โ€ moments.
    Itโ€™s hugging someone goodbye who was a total stranger 90 minutes earlier.

    ๐Ÿ’ซ So if youโ€™re on the fence, hereโ€™s our final word:

    Come.

    Come exactly as you are.
    Big energy or quiet presence.
    Post-breakup, in between jobs, newly stationed in Okinawa, feeling lost or found or somewhere in betweenโ€”come anyway.

    This community was built for women just like you.

    Women who are tired of surface-level friendships.
    Women brave enough to risk being seen.
    Women who are done waiting to be invitedโ€”and are finally saying,
    โ€œIโ€™m ready to show up for my own life.โ€

    Thereโ€™s a seat for you.
    We saved it. ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿ’•
    Now all thatโ€™s left is for you to sit down.