2013.06.07
“Machi Mai” is a stroll through Naha downtown
Citizens are being invited to a Machi Mai in June…literally…to talk a walk through town.
Naha City Tourist Information Center is behind the Machi Mai events Friday, June 7th, Saturday, June 15th, Friday, June 21st and Saturday, June 29th. The weekly excursions see folks gathering at Naha City Tourist Information Center about 2:50 p.m. so the walks can get under way at 3 p.m.
The meaning of “Machi Mai” is to be taking a walk in town. “Machi” means town in Japanese. “Naha Machi Mai” introduced this time is a plan that participants enjoy Naha together with a local guide from the angle which is different from usual, involving an alley after alley in Naha. Since the walk takes less than two hours, people pressed for time can also participate easily.
Admission is ¥2,000 for adults, high school and junior high school students, and ¥1,500 for elementary school students. Participation is free to kids under age five. Reservations are recommended at (098) 860-5780, although walk-up participants are welcome. Participants are to meet at the Naha City Tourist Information Center, in Makishi, Naha City, on Okiei Street just around the corner from Kokusai Street.
In “Naha Machi Mai”, participants will taste Okinawan sweets, take a walk in a market in Naha area with a local guide, change into the clothes of Ryukyu
kingdom, and take photographs.
In Japan, 3 p.m. is tea time, which includes eating sweets, so this event starts with a sampling of sweets and a walk in a local market. Participants will then have a chance to change into Ryukyu Kingdom-style clothes for a photo-op.
Kids under 5 years old, will be free even including the photo. This is an event in which participants can feel the culture of Okinawa.