2013.01.15
Okinawa Champlu Expo is ‘different’
An expo or a festival typically has a theme, but the Okinawa Champlu Expo is way different, integrating a total of 105 excursions and events in its campaign running down through the end of February.
The fun begins ten days from now on a couple different fronts. The Okinawa International Exchange Program takes place 10 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. January 19that the Rendezvous: Earth Trip, located at 5-11-4 Kinjou, Naha City. Admission’s ¥3,500 for the event, which is an alternative type sightseeing program for people 18-35. It’s an event designed to create multinational friendships in a southern beach house, dwelling on themes of music and food.
On the same Saturday, January 19th, the Okinawa Style Hair Dressing workshop is being offered at Koza Ginten University, 1-31-1 Teruya, Okinawa City. Admission is free for the two-hour workshop that starts at 1 p.m. A doll is used to let visitors experience how to dress hair up Okinawan traditional style, called Uchinahkaraji.
Explore the Matsuda Cave in Ginoza Village on both January 27th and February 10th, both Sundays. Boardwalking exploration runs 11 a.m. ~ noon, while true exploration goes 2 p.m. ~ 5 p.m. Admission is ¥1,800 for adults for the boardwalk excursion, and ¥2,500 for the exploration. An extra ¥500 is charged if a helmet, headlight and rain boots are needed. Reservations are at (098) 968-8787. Matsuda cave in Ginoza Village is one of the oldest caves in Okinawa Prefecture. A tour guide will take care of visitors. Those choosing exploration should be prepared to get dirty, and should have spare clothing.
Canoeing around Adaga Island and Trekking in Mt. Ibudake is available January 12th through 17th, although closed on Coming of Age Day the 14th. Visitors can enjoy nature and the mystery of both sea and mountains. From Ada seashore in Kunigami Village to the Yasuda Island, an uninhabited island in a
coral reef leaf famous also as a spot where sea turtles lay eggs, it’s a tour with lunch, combined with Mt. Ibudake trekking which follows the canoe experience. A second set of adventures take place February 17th ~ 24th. Participation is ¥10,000 for adults and ¥7,000 for kids under 12.
Reservations are required at (098) 041-7966. The start point for the 9 a.m. to sunset adventure is the Ada Public Hall, 858 Ada, Kunigami Village, Kunigami County.
Capping this set of adventures is a series of yukata lectures every Friday from tomorrow through the end of February. They’re free from 5 p.m. ~ 7 p.m. at the Oyakawa Kimono Store, 1-14-7 Chuo, Okianwa City. Reservations are at (098) 937-3018. Yukata is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usu8ally mad e of cotton or synthetic fabric. Yukata are worn by both men and women. Oyakawa Kimono Store, founded 62 years ago, will give lectures on how to master the garment in a single day.