CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Remembering Reversion and Driving on th… [History]
When Okinawa was returned to Japan on May 15th, 1972, part of the package was an entirely new set of challenges that needed to be met. For O...Read More
Tanabata is precursor to Obon season, an… [CULTURE]
Tanabata, also known as “Shichiseki” that takes place on July 7th, is one of the five season-related celebrations in Japan. Empress Koken is...Read More
Day of Naha: Immerse Yourself in the Cap… [Community CURRENT ISSUE]
July 8th is Naha Day in Okinawa. This special occasion originated from the use of play-on-words or rather, a play-on-numbers. Naha’s two syl...Read More
2021.07.26
Remembering Reversion and Driving on the Right Side, or is it the Left? [History]
When Okinawa was returned to Japan on May 15th, 1972, part of the package was an entirely new set of challenges that needed to be met. For Okinawans, the joy of being returned to t...
2021.07.06
Tanabata is precursor to Obon season, and day for wishes [CULTURE]
Tanabata, also known as “Shichiseki” that takes place on July 7th, is one of the five season-related celebrations in Japan. Empress Koken is credited to have imported Tanabata to J...
2021.07.01
Day of Naha: Immerse Yourself in the Capital City of Okinawa [Community CURRENT ISSUE]
July 8th is Naha Day in Okinawa. This special occasion originated from the use of play-on-words or rather, a play-on-numbers. Naha’s two syllables ‘Na’ and ‘Ha’ are also syllables ...
2021.06.15
Itoman; a peace theme and old fashioned city [Okinawa Series]
Itoman City is the southernmost city on the Okinawa main island. It is a city that is often referred to as a ‘fisherman’s town’; because for many, fishing is a way of life here. Th...
2021.05.08
Okinawa’s wide variety of fruit and vegetables [CULTURE]
There are a wide variety of vegetables grown and consumed on Okinawa, a lot of which are unique to the island. In fact, a good number of Okinawa vegetables are such local specialti...
2021.04.13
Hamauri ritual purifies body of evil spirits [Community CURRENT ISSUE]
Hamauri is one of Okinawa’s oldest customs, a time when people cleanse themselves of evil spirits. On Mar. 3rd of the lunar calendar, women go to the beach to dip their hands and f...
2021.04.02
Shiimi: A time to remember and honor the dead in Okinawa [CULTURE]
April marks the beginning of one of Okinawa’s most important and sacred religious ceremonies, known locally as shiimi. This particular ceremony takes place exclusively in Okinawa P...
2021.04.01
Okinawa’s guardian shisa has its own day on April 3 [History Travel & Beach]
April 3 is the “Day of Shisa” in Okinawa as four (April) is “shi” and three is “san” in Japanese. The day was established in 2002 to promote Shisa made in the Tsuboya district of N...
2021.03.01
Sanshin, The Heart and Soul of Okinawa [CULTURE]
The sanshin is easily the most recognizable musical instrument in Okinawa. Its distinctive, high-pitched sound can be heard throughout the island from soba shops and grocery stores...
2021.02.18
Hina dolls bring health, happiness to small girls [CULTURE]
‘Hina Matsuri is one of the customs that most people in Japan no more observe but that gives an insight to the Japanese thinking and traditions in the past. The Japanese custom of ...
2021.02.06
Valentine’s Day in Japan is all about romance and chocolate with a twist [CULTURE]
February 14, Valentine’s Day, is considered world over a day when romance blooms and lovers whisper sweet nothings to each others’ ears. Seemingly, there is no one in the entire wo...
2021.01.19
Muuchii’s big lunar day is celebrated tomorrow [CULTURE]
Muuchii is the day that in Okinawa is traditionally considered as the beginning of the winter. It’s December 8th according to the lunar calendar, which by the Gregorian calendar th...
2021.01.09
Coming of Age Day introduces thousands to adulthood [Community]
For thousands of young men and women in Okinawa, and countless thousands more in mainland Japan, Monday’s going to be the biggest day of their lives. Seijin no Hi is coming up Mond...
2020.12.30
What do you do on Okinawa during the New Year? [CULTURE]
It’s finally the end of the year 2020, and so it’s time to ask how was your year 2020? Good memories, bad memories, each person has their own. Probably many local people are still ...
2020.11.25
The history of the Ryukyu Kings digital animation [History Ryukyu History]
The history of the Ryukyu Kings animation movies are now available on YouTube. The movies were created by Urasoe Tourism Association “Urasoe Navi”. The movies offer English and Chi...
2020.11.16
The “PayPay” app is offering cash back up to ¥3,000 [Community News Technology]
“PayPay” is one of the most popular electronic payment apps in Japan. Okinawa city is trying to promote and encourage cashless payment on the island due to COVID 19 safety measures...
A town in Okinawa city has the same name as the American vice president elect [Community CURRENT ISSUE]
Kamala Harris is going to be the first female vice president of the United States. The locals of the Kamara district in Okinawa city are delighted because they pronounce the name o...
2020.11.07
King Sho-Nei exhibition at the Urasoe City Museum [History]
Urasoe City Museum is holding the exhibition of “King Sho-Nei”. He is one of the Kings in the second Sho dynasty in Ryukyu Kingdom era and the only King who is from Urasoe. He is ...
2020.10.23
Kuwanso Daylily in Nakijin is in full bloom [Community Nature & Environment]
The Kuwasano (daylily) field at Zamami Farm in Unten Nakijin village is now in full bloom and the farm is offering a flower picking experience for visitors. One interesting fact is...
2020.10.14
N-Bus offers free rides in Nanjo city [Community]
N-Bus it’s a local community loop line bus service driving around Nanjo city. They will celebrate their first year anniversary for this service and will be offering free rides on t...
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