CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Itoman Haaray; a traditional and fun eve… [CULTURE Festival]
The Itoman Haaray takes place on the May 4th of the Lunar Calendar. This day is actually June 18th 2026 of the Gregorian Calendar. Most peop...Read More
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 shrou...Read More
Shiimi: A time to remember and honor th… [CULTURE]
April marks the beginning of one of Okinawa’s most important and sacred religious ceremonies, known locally as shiimi. This particular cerem...Read More
2016.03.07
Akainko made first music to Okinawan sanshin [History Ryukyu History]
Friday, Mar. 4, is known as the Sanshin Day, and everyone knows that sanshin is the instrument of choice for Okinawan music, but where did that music originally come from? Accordin...
2016.03.07
What happened before and after the First Sho Dynasty? [History Ryukyu History]
Ryukyu Kingdom seems to have had several dynasties early in its history, such as Tenson and Shunten dynasties, An old history document called “Chuzan Seikan” (中山世鑑) tells that ther...
2016.02.26
Yaese Town opens spring season with Yaese Hakkei Festival [Community]
Although we may still have a few cold days ahead, the spring is approaching fast, and on Sunday, Feb. 28, a spring festival called Yaese Hakkei Festival will be held at Kochinda At...
2016.02.23
All of Okinawa joins music on Sanshin Day [Community]
Sanshin has an unique place in Okinawan people’s heart, so it’s only natural that the instrument has its own day, Mar. 4th. Former RBC radio station chief Naohiko Uehara is credite...
2016.02.23
Emergence of Ryukyu Kingdom [History Ryukyu History]
By Hoshin Nakamura According to archeological findings in the Ryukyu Islands between 1962 and 1983, the oldest human skeleton on Okinawa was found in the Yamashita Cave. The skelet...
2016.02.18
Onna Fair showcases community beyond resorts [Community]
Onna Village on the east coast of Okinawa is best known as a municipality with the biggest concentration of resorts on Okinawa. It’s also the home to the Okinawa Institute of Techn...
2016.02.17
POPs stage youth musical “Harmony High” on Foster [Community]
The Pacific Okinawa Players is staging youth production ‘Harmony High,’ a high-energy musical for the whole family starting tomorrow at the Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium....
2016.02.14
NPO offers comprehensive two-semester course into Ryukyus [Education Ryukyu History]
By Hoshin Nakamura Okinawa Language Center is offering a course on the history and culture of the Ryukyus titled, “An Introduction to A History & Culture of the Ryukyu Islands”...
2016.02.12
OIST presents music of Japan’s national instrument [CULTURE]
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology is presenting a free Koto concert on Saturday, Feb. 27th at OIST Auditorium. The concert begins at 14:00 with doors to the venue ope...
2016.02.09
Drinking and driving is no way to go on Okinawa [Community]
By David Higgins Although the annual holiday season and all the celebration is now over, and all the partying and drinking that usually goes with it, it’s also a good...
2016.02.04
Geien invites public to English language kumiodori workshop [Community]
Mini theater Geien in Oroku, Naha, is a place where independent performers can find a stage to show their talent. According to its owners, it was created as a place where front lin...
2016.01.02
‘Operation Save Noa’ reaches fundraising target [Community]
Officials at NGO ‘Operation Save Noa,’ an organization set up to support one-year-old girl Noa Onaga who suffers of a severe case of dilated cardiomyopathy and needs to get an imme...
2015.12.17
Itoman Peaceful Illumination sends greetings of peace to world [Community]
The 17th Itoman Peaceful Illumination continues the tradition as one of the longest running annual illuminations on Okinawa. Now in progress running through Jan. 3rd, the display i...
2015.12.08
Fisherina area in Chatan aims to become Mecca for marine leisure [Community]
The west-coast areas of Chatan Town are some of the most relaxing resort areas on Okinawa with a large international community. Especially Mihama district is very active and urban ...
2015.11.30
Pictures of ‘Spring’ reflect Japanese erotica through the ages [History]
By David Higgins Reflect if you can how people used to view pornography just 10 years ago, when the Internet had a dial-up connection, and we used to have to wait for pictures to s...
2015.11.20
Pointillist collaboration exhibition at Shuri Kannondo temple [CULTURE]
One of the best known and most popular artists in Okinawa, pointillist Kiyota Oshiro, is holding his newest art exhibition at Shuri Kannondo temple that is one of the most famous a...
2015.11.17
Nanjo showcases best of residents’ gardens [Community]
Twice a year Nanjo City organizes an increasingly popular special week-long event, when public can walk through and tour private gardens in the city. The fall event begins Saturday...
2015.11.13
Video mapping show at Nakagusuku Castle re-enacts Legend of Gosamaru [History]
The most famous lord in Okinawan history is without doubt Gosamaru, a 15th century chief of first the Zakimi Castle and later the Nakagusuku Castle. Legends and stories of his life...
2015.11.09
Artists and artisans of Nanjo City put their skills on display [Community]
A weeklong art festival in Nanjo City takes place from Nov. 14th through 23rd with the whole city as the setting for the festival. Besides being one of the largest municipalities b...
2015.10.30
Shuri Castle Festival shows splendor of Ryukyu Kingdom [CULTURE]
One of the three main festivals of the year commemorating the life of the Ryukyu Kingdom area is set to begin on Saturday, Oct. 31st, on the grounds of Shuri Castle. The Shuri Cast...
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