Community
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
Hamauri ritual purifies body of evil spi… [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 (April ...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
Nuri River Sakura Festival is community event [Community]
February is the peak of the cherry blossom season in Okinawa with many communities hosting their own events. Nuri River Cherry Blossom Festival in Gushikawa, Uruma City, started as...
Charity concert to benefit Philippines typhoon victims [Community]
On Nov. 8, 2013, typhoon Yolanda hit Bangon in the Philippines killing about 8,000 people, many of whom are still missing, and over 1,200 were injured and left without homes. More ...
Golden Kings bus tour generates friendship exchanges [Community]
It centered on basketball, but the Japan Update ~ Golden Kings Bus Tour with Tomodachi Works proved to be a great opportunity for exchanging thoughts and ideas. Japan Update collab...
Coming of Age Day is gateway to adulthood in Japan [Community]
By Bill Charles Seijin no Hi is coming up Monday, and it’s a big day for thousands of young people in Japan who turned 20 during 2013 or will through Mar. 31, 2014. Coming of Age D...
Today is day of ‘muuchii’ [Community]
Today, Dec. 8 of the lunar calendar, or Jan. 8th by the Gregorian calendar this year, is the day for Okinawan people to eat muuchii rice cakes. Muuchii is a traditional Okinawan st...
‘Tomodachi Works’ extends outreach [Community]
A group formed earlier this fall to create new opportunities for Okinawans, Japanese and foreigners to get to know each other better, has created a new event for January 5th to bri...
UFCO aids Philippine typhoon victims [Community]
Following the devastation of typhoon Haiyan, UFCO organized a Charity Walk, Nov. 30 to raise funds to aid the victims. They are still continuing the effort in the form of selling t...
Blind to benefit from Sunday Charity Christmas Festival [Community]
The 2013 Charity Christmas Festival sponsored by Agena Driving School is taking place Sunday at the school’s facilities in Uruma City. Admission is free to the festival, which runs...
Pilot Club International Christmas charity luncheon [Community]
The International Pilot Club of Okinawa, a member club of the Pilot Club International, an international women’s organization headquartered in Macon Georgia, is holding its annual ...
Shikinaen setting for annual gathering [Community]
The Shikina Garden Friendship Gathering is ready to welcome visitors Sunday, with entertainment including Shishimai, the famed Lion Dance. The festivities, which include folk enter...
Invitation to solve Halloween Puzzle! [Community]
Koza Shopping Street Federation will be holding “Halloween Town in Koza 2013” this weekend, and on the 31st. The event will be held in the Ichibangai shopping mall and ...
Vendors wanted for Oct. 26-27 Okinawa Tomodachi Works [Community]
Onna Village has created a new opportunity for Okinawans, Japanese and foreigners to get to know each other better, via Okinawa Tomodachi Works, a community event planned for late ...
Byron Jones is ‘almost Okinawan’ [Community]
By Jun Ikemura In the tight-knit community of professional Sanshin players on Okinawa, Byron Jones stands out in more ways than one. The 44-year-old American has been playing the S...
Global Village hosting Belly Dance Night [Community]
Belly dancing is quickly becoming a global art, and Okinawa’s enthusiasts are lining up for an evening show to demonstrate the dancers’ skills on Saturday. The evening program tak...
Kitanakagusuku packs history and future [Community]
By Jun Ikemura Most Americans have heard of Kitanakagusuku Village, although many are confused about the difference between it and Nakagusuku Village, which is just down the road. ...
KIP introduces Viva Mexico! To Okinawa [Community]
Viva Mexico! Koza International Plaza is helping Mexico celebrate its independence on Sunday with a special afternoon presentation at its Okinawa City premises. KIP will be present...
237 years… and going strong [Community]
By Bill Charles Americans around the world are planning picnics, barbeques, parades, speeches and fireworks over the next few days as the United States celebrates its 237th birthda...
Residents invited to join clean up project dressed in costume [Community]
The Okinawa City Residents Activity and Exchange Center is looking for volunteers to join a planned clean-up project called “Kasou de Seisou” planned for July 13th in downtown Okin...
Child Abuse Campaign features “Umareru” documentary [Community]
A child abuse prevention campaign is slated for Okinawa in the form of the 10th Issaigassai Festival in late June, with a documentary a cornerstone event. The June 30th festival ta...
International community joins commemoration [Community]
By Bill Charles The Battle of Okinawa ended 68 years ago this month, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa, United Services Organization, United Seamen’s Service and vete...