CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
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
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
The Eisa Night Schedule 2024 [CULTURE Festival]
Although this year’s rainy season seems to continue into eternity, another season is about to start. Okinawa City Tourism Association is hos...Read More
2024.07.07
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 ...
2024.07.02
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...
2024.06.11
The Eisa Night Schedule 2024 [CULTURE Festival]
Although this year’s rainy season seems to continue into eternity, another season is about to start. Okinawa City Tourism Association is hosting a series of Eisa Nights every weeke...
2024.06.03
Itoman Haaray; a traditional and fun event in southernmost of Okinawa [CULTURE Festival]
The Itoman Haaray takes place on the May 4th of the Lunar Calendar. This day is actually June 9th 2024 of the Gregorian Calendar. Most people in Itoman adhere to the Lunar Calendar...
2024.05.02
Royal Crown Exhibition [History]
One of Okinawa’s national treasures, the Royal Crown worn by 14 kings of the Ryukyu era, goes on display tomorrow at Naha City Museum on the 4th floor of Palette Kumoji. The Royal ...
2024.04.26
Golden Week, Japan’s Mega Holiday [CULTURE Family Festival]
Spring is here. And in Japan that means warmer weather, cherry blossoms, and rainy season. But, before the rainy season takes hold and shrouds Japan in a blanket of gray clouds and...
2024.04.04
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...
2024.04.02
Okinawa’s guardian shisa has its own day on April 3 [History Travel & Beach]
April 3rd 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...
2024.03.03
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...
2024.02.26
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 ...
2024.02.13
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...
2024.02.07
‘Year of the Dragon’ begins in Okinawan fishing communities [CULTURE CURRENT ISSUE]
Legend has it that Buddha asked all animals to meet him on the Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one, and announced that people born in each animal’...
2024.01.17
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 fa...
2023.12.31
Visiting Okinawan Shrines for the New Year [Okinawa Series Ryukyu History]
Have you ever partaken in a Hatsumoude? Have you even heard of a “Hatsumoude”? “Hatsumoude” is a Japanese custom where Japanese people pay a visit to a shrine or temple on January ...
2023.12.28
What do you do on Okinawa during the New Year? [CULTURE]
It’s finally the end of the year 2023, and so it’s time to ask how was your year 2024? Good memories, bad memories, each person has their own. Probably many local people are still ...
2023.12.09
Okinawa Holiday Season Illumination Guide 2023!! [Community ENTERTAINMENT]
OKinawa Illumination Guide!! Okuma illumination Nov.1 ~ Feb. 29 From sunset till dawn @Okuma Private Beach &Resort (913 Okuma Kunigami Village) https://okumaresort.com/season...
2023.11.01
Former Japanese Imperial Navy Underground Headquarters [History]
The Former Japanese Imperial Navy Underground Headquarters was built as a bombproof shelter for the Japanese Navy in 1944 towards the end of the World War II in the border area bet...
2023.09.29
Itoman Tug-of-War marks end of summer [CULTURE CURRENT ISSUE ENTERTAINMENT]
Many Okinawan farmers and fishermen, in some form or fashion, pay tribute to the Gods, seeking their blessing and favor for a great harvest or to net large sums of fish during the ...
2023.09.20
OkiEvents this week!! [CULTURE Festival]
・9/24 Yomitan Eisa Festival @ Yomitan Athletic Field 16:00~21:00 Free to enter https://www.facebook.com/okiseikyo PIN: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GFaoXBecSA6w1L58A ・Uruma Paripi Festi...
2023.09.15
Respect for The Aged Day [CULTURE]
In Japan, there is a National Holiday to honor senior citizens that is called “Keirou-no-hi” in Japanese, meaning “Respect for The Aged Day” in English. It has been set for the thi...
RYUKYU PRESS