CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Muuchii’s big lunar day is celebrated to… [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 cale...Read More
Nanjo City is full of history, beaches, … [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Nanjo City is one of Okinawa’s largest areas, and arguably can be called one of the most fun packed cities in Okinawa. ...Read More
Urasoe Castle Ruins: Site called “Hacksa… [History]
“Hacksaw Ridge” is the title of a movie featuring the battle of Okinawa at “Maeda Kouchi (Maeda hill)” in Urasoe City. The film directed by ...Read More
2022.01.09
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...
2022.01.09
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...
2021.12.30
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 ...
2021.12.27
What do you do on Okinawa during the New Year? [CULTURE]
It’s finally the end of the year 2021, and so it’s time to ask how was your year 2021? Good memories, bad memories, each person has their own. Probably many local people are still ...
2021.12.01
Nanjo City is full of history, beaches, places to see [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Nanjo City is one of Okinawa’s largest areas, and arguably can be called one of the most fun packed cities in Okinawa. One could say it is the total opposite o...
2021.11.21
Urasoe Castle Ruins: Site called “Hacksaw Ridge” during Battle of Okinawa. [History]
“Hacksaw Ridge” is the title of a movie featuring the battle of Okinawa at “Maeda Kouchi (Maeda hill)” in Urasoe City. The film directed by Mel Gibson is scheduled for release in J...
2021.11.08
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...
2021.10.06
Nakami Soup (Pork Guts Soup) [Cooking Recipe CULTURE]
“Nakami” means guts or giblets of a pig, and “jiru (shiru)” means soup. This soup is very common in Okinawa and is offered at special cerebrations, event, or parties. Ingred...
2021.10.03
Yabuchi Island: Old Yonashiro Town ⑤ [Okinawa Series]
Yabuchi Island is a very small uninhabited island that once belonged to the then Yonashiro Town. The island is connected to the mainland by the Yabuchi Bridge which was built in 19...
2021.09.28
Ikei Island: Old Yonashiro Town ④ [Okinawa Series]
Ikei Island is the final island along the chain that belongs to the Yonashiro District. The red painted bridge that connects Miyagi and Ikei was built in 1982. In the Okinawan dial...
2021.09.21
Miyagi Island: Old Yonashiro Town ③ [Okinawa Series]
The next island from Henza is Miyagi Island which is also connected by a bridge, albeit it is much, much smaller than the Kai-chu-doro. In fact, the bridge is about a few car lengt...
2021.09.15
Henza Island: Old Yonashiro Town ② [Okinawa Series]
The first island you will reach after you cross the Kai-chu-doro bridge is Henza Island. This tiny island had flourished in the mid-1900s due to its location which was easily acces...
2021.09.07
The Islands of Old Yonashiro; Uruma City’s Forgotten Town ① [Okinawa Series]
Uruma City’s Yonashiro District was, at one time, Yonashiro Town. That all changed in 2005 when 4 municipalities, Ishikawa City, Gushikawa City, Yonashiro Town and Katsuren Town me...
2021.09.07
Chimushinji – Okinawan pork and vegetable soup [Cooking Recipe CULTURE]
Okinawan people eat “Chimushinji” when they have a cold or fell otherwise sick. Ingredients in this dish include pork that contains proteins, fresh Okinawan vegetables, and herbs w...
2021.09.06
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...
2021.09.02
Awamori “Ku-su” Day [CULTURE CURRENT ISSUE]
September 4th is the “Ku-su Day”, with September = ‘9’ which is pronounced ‘kyu’ or ‘ku’ in Japanese, and ‘4’ being pronounced ‘shi’, but sounds nearly ‘su’. So ‘9-4’ i...
2021.08.15
“Eisa”, Okinawa’s Famed Tradition [CULTURE CURRENT ISSUE ENTERTAINMENT LIFE]
These days, when people think of Okinawa, the first image that may spring to mind are dancers clad in ceremonious garb armed with taiko drums and folding hand fans. This is Eisa; a...
2021.08.13
Obon is time for family gathering to remember ancestors [CULTURE CURRENT ISSUE]
For three days starting on Friday, August 20th through Sunday, August 22nd, many privately owned businesses on Okinawa will close their stores to take timeout to honor one of Okin...
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...
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