CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
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
Sanshin, The Heart and Soul of Okinawa [CULTURE]
The sanshin is easily the most recognizable musical instrument in Okinawa. Its distinctive, high-pitched sound can be heard throughout the i...Read More
Hina dolls bring health, happiness to sm… [CULTURE]
‘Hina Matsuri is one of the customs that most people in Japan no more observe but that gives an insight to the Japanese thinking and traditi...Read More
2022.02.06
Old Katsuren Town ③ Katsuren Castle Ruins [Okinawa Series Ryukyu History]
Katsuren Castle was built around the 11~12th century and has been the focal point at one time in Okinawa’s history. One Okinawa’s great lords, Lord Amawari, had presided over the c...
2022.02.04
Old Katsuren Town ② Hamahiga Island [Okinawa Series]
Hamahiga Island is connected to Henza Island which in turn is connected to the main Okinawa Island. Henza, Miyagi, Ikei islands were part of old Yonashiro Town, but Hamahiga was a ...
2022.02.02
Old Katsuren Town ① – A Glimpse Back in Time to the Old Ryukyu Kingdom [Okinawa Series]
Old Katsuren Town was once a popular fisherman’s town on the middle eastside of the Okinawan main island. In 2005, the town had merged with three other municipalities, Yonash...
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...
2021.12.01
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...
2021.10.06
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...
2021.07.01
Day of Naha: Immerse Yourself in the Capital City of Okinawa [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 syllables ‘Na’ and ‘Ha’ are also syllables ...
2021.06.15
Itoman; a peace theme and old fashioned city [Okinawa Series]
Itoman City is the southernmost city on the Okinawa main island. It is a city that is often referred to as a ‘fisherman’s town’; because for many, fishing is a way of life here. Th...
2020.11.25
The history of the Ryukyu Kings digital animation [History Ryukyu History]
The history of the Ryukyu Kings animation movies are now available on YouTube. The movies were created by Urasoe Tourism Association “Urasoe Navi”. The movies offer English and Chi...
A town in Okinawa city has the same name as the American vice president elect [Community CURRENT ISSUE]
Kamala Harris is going to be the first female vice president of the United States. The locals of the Kamara district in Okinawa city are delighted because they pronounce the name o...
2020.11.07
King Sho-Nei exhibition at the Urasoe City Museum [History]
Urasoe City Museum is holding the exhibition of “King Sho-Nei”. He is one of the Kings in the second Sho dynasty in Ryukyu Kingdom era and the only King who is from Urasoe. He is ...
2020.10.23
Kuwanso Daylily in Nakijin is in full bloom [Community Nature & Environment]
The Kuwasano (daylily) field at Zamami Farm in Unten Nakijin village is now in full bloom and the farm is offering a flower picking experience for visitors. One interesting fact is...
2020.10.14
N-Bus offers free rides in Nanjo city [Community]
N-Bus it’s a local community loop line bus service driving around Nanjo city. They will celebrate their first year anniversary for this service and will be offering free rides on t...
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