CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
October 17th, Okinawa Soba Day [CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT Gourmet LIFE]
A bowl of soba is to Okinawa what a hamburger is to America. Here on the island you can see Okinawa soba signs everywhere. It has become ent...Read More
Naha City’s World Record Giant Tug-of-Wa… [CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT Festival]
The Naha Giant Tug-of-War is the largest of its kind throughout the world. This feat was officially recognized and recorded into annals of t...Read More
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 ...Read More
AWWA donates millions as it serves community [Community]
Many people aren’t aware of the American Women’s Welfare Association, or the countless projects it undertakes on behalf of five military spouse organizations on Okinawa, or the act...
Sanshin plays straight into Okinawan soul [CULTURE]
In an age of countless musical genres that employ the most modern digital technologies, Okinawa stands alone is keeping its ancient customs and culture alive with the sanshin and i...
Hina Matsuri celebrates girls by showcasing doll displays [CULTURE]
The custom of displaying dolls takes center stage March 3rd, as Japan celebrates with a Girls Day festival, the Hina Matsuri. The centuries-old festival traces back to the Edo Peri...
Himeyuri Peace Exhibition moves toward March conclusion [History]
A five-month Himeyuri Peace Museum Exhibition chronicling accounts of the final days of the Battle of Okinawa, and the experiences of Himeyuri students who survived the period, wil...
Tunnel walls document final hours of battle [History]
By Bill Charles A careful walk down the narrow winding steps from atop an Oroku hill to the tunnel maze sets the hairs on end. History is chronicled in many ways, and the stark ima...
Tsuikin technique for Ryukyu lacquerware unveiled [CULTURE]
Dozens of Ryukyu lacquer ware items produced in an ancient Tsuikin style are being unveiled to the public tomorrow at a month-long Tsuikin Exhibition at the Urasoe City Museum. “Ts...
Leading animation studio to entertain Okinawa [CULTURE]
The art of animation is a modern day key to creating entertaining documentaries and motion pictures, and the secrets behind great productions are being unveiled beginning tomorrow ...
Traditional textiles and bingata at OIST [History]
An Okinawa traditional textiles and bingata show is being staged at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology beginning Monday, but there’s more than just displays. OIST is w...
Yutaka Sado to lead Tokyo Philharmonic in Okinawa concert [CULTURE]
One of Japan’s most notable conductors will lead the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra during a special concert at the Okinawa Convention Center on Monday. Yutaka Sado, the last pu...
NPO staging Issaigassai Festival in Onna-son [Community]
More than 60 stores are coming together Sunday at Onna-son for the Issaigassai Festival sponsored by the NPO corporation Fureai Net Onna. The 10 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. festival is geared fo...
Ogimi Village celebrates Camellia Festival with show, tours, music [Community]
Working a theme of nature and the camellia, Ogimi Village is this weekend celebrating the 3rd Ogimi Camellia Festival. “The woods walk tour of limestone”, which provides a glimpse ...
Koza Ginten Festival Saturday brings mainland students [Community]
Students from Kanagawa Prefecture will join the Koza Ginten Festival this Saturday, commemorating the Ginten arcade in Koza. The Koza Gineten Festival, the Ginetengai, takes place ...
Friendship Seminar looks at the CARICOM countries [Community]
Antigua Barbuda. Republic of Guyana. Grenada. Jamaica. Republic of Suriname. Saint Christopher and Nevis. Barbados. Republic of Haiti. Commonwealth of Dominica. Republic Trini...
Yomitan’s trademark Yachimun Pottery on display [CULTURE]
It happens only once a year, when the pottery artisans of Yomitan Village band together to have a super pottery event, the Yomitan Yachimun Exhibition. Beginning Wednesday, and run...
Ichiro Kikuta brings paintings to life with single color [CULTURE]
One of the most famous ink wash painters in Okinawa, is bringing his monochrome technique to an exhibition at the Urasoe City Art Museum beginning on Wednesday. Ichiro Kikuta is w...
Prefectural Museum offers insights into French queen [History]
Queen Marie Antoinette was the most famous queen in the history of France, and she’s the sole topic of an exhibition at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum. The Marie Antoinette Exhibit...
Uruma City brings out the bulls on Sunday [CULTURE]
Bullfights in Okinawa aren’t like those in Spain or other countries, but the excitement levels reach much the same pitch in Uruma City’s Ishikawa Dome, where the bulls will be the ...
Lunar New Year ushered in this weekend [Community]
Unless someone ventures into Itoman City this weekend, it’s unlikely that anyone would realize that Sunday is Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year...
III MEF Bandmaster shares all about music [Community]
Stephen B. Giove is a pianist, a drummer, and a master musician now leading the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band. He’s a Marine with a toe-tapping sense of musical timing, start...
Ryukyu lacquer ware exhibition opens Tuesday [CULTURE]
One of Okinawa’s most treasured art forms, Ryukyu lacquer ware, goes on display next week at the Shuri Castle Park special exhibition room. The Camellia Exhibition, featuring the C...