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
2014.05.07
Italian vice consul visits Okinawa [Community]
Italians requiring passports or visas, or other citizen services, normally must go to Osaka to the Italian Consulate, but this week, Italy came to Okinawa. Italian vice consul Gius...
2014.04.28
Royal Crown making single appearance this year [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 ...
2014.04.28
Kinser ladies’ dragon boat team is racing for cause [Community]
Boats are going in the water Saturday, being handled by a determined squad of women who this year are Dragon Boat racing for a very special cause, “Rowing for Wilson.” The 36-woman...
2014.04.24
Ryukyu Festival celebrates Golden Anniversary [CULTURE]
The 50th Ryukyu Festival opens tomorrow at several locations across Okinawa as Golden Week gets under way, featuring a variety of traditional art and music performances, as well as...
2014.04.20
Ie Island is often overlooked sightseeing spot [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Lilies, who does not love lilies? And not only one, but one million of them and although mostly white, also in yellow, pink and orange! This week we are introd...
2014.04.18
Photographer Shokyu Otsuka captures spirit of Okinawa islands [CULTURE]
Meet Shokyu Otsuka, photographer for the beautiful pictorial illustrating life in the Ryukyu Archipelago, on Sat., Apr. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Kadena Exchange and Sun., Apr. 2...
2014.04.05
Onna’s resort atmosphere creates tranquility [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Summer is right around the corner, and this year Okinawa is forecast to welcome more visitors from all over Asia than ever before, something in excess of 0.8 m...
2014.03.23
Fine arts exhibition kicks off Sunday [CULTURE]
The island’s best-known annual arts exhibition, Okiten, gets under way Sunday at the Urasoe City Gymnasium, featuring hundreds of works in a variety of creative disciplines. Advanc...
2014.03.20
Okinawa National Theatre is home of Kumiodori [CULTURE]
By Bill Charles Two pieces of the prefecture’s traditional classical performing arts, Kumiodori, a kind of Okinawan opera, are presented this weekend at the Okinawa National Theatr...
2014.03.17
Higashi Museum focuses on nature, humans and history [History]
Higashi Museum is not your usual museum as it has a library where one can enjoy a book as if the in the calmness of a forest. It has Internet access and a study hall to hold exhibi...
2014.03.14
Higashi Village: blessed with nature and scenery [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Higashi Village is well known in northern Okinawa for its scenic beauty, fresh air and abundant nature. It’s also the home to Okinawa’s best known profession...
2014.03.13
Global Village celebrates St. Patrick’s Day [Community]
Global Village in Futenma is ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish with Global Village with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Party on Saturday, two days before the actual date, in o...
2014.03.03
Ganju Eki has bridge to grant wish come true [Community]
Ganju Eki is one of the four Farmers’ Markets within Nanjo City. It offers vegetables of the season, local events information and helps visitors to plan a perfect trip in Nanjo Cit...
2014.03.02
Okinawa’s Sanshin takes center stage Tuesday [Community]
The unique and distinct sounds of the Okinawa sanshin, often called Okinawa’s guitar, are heard across Okinawa daily, but Tuesday will be honored as its special day. The sanshin is...
2014.02.20
Plaza House hosts International Festival [Community]
Plaza House Shopping Mall is the venue for the 24th Okinawa City International Festival sponsored by the Okinawa City International Association, Sunday. The day-long program starts...
2014.02.20
Tomodachi Works slated for this weekend [Community]
The 5th Tomodachi Works international friendship exchange event takes place Saturday and Sunday on the Akara Gallery parking lot at the Depot Island shopping complex. The event sta...
2014.02.07
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...
2014.02.06
Calligraphy artisan’s collection on display through Sunday [CULTURE]
Kunii Takezaki, a modern-day calligraphy teacher, is showcasing her collection at the Naha Civic Gallery on Palette Kumoji’s sixth floor through Sunday. The Calligraphy Art Collect...
2014.02.03
Sanshin is great communicator when in Okinawa [CULTURE]
By David Higgins The best-known Okinawan instrument is Sanshin, also known as the Okinawan banjo. Shamisen in Mainland Japan is its close cousin. The neck of the Sanshin instrumen...
2014.01.31
Itoman counts on lunar calendar and ocean for prosperity [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu January is about to end, and although most might think there may only be cherry blossoms during this chilly Okinawa season, there is another festivity which ma...
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