CULTURE
Pick Up Stories

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

Valentine's Day in Japan is all about ro… [CULTURE]
February 14, Valentine’s Day, is considered world over a day when romance blooms and lovers whisper sweet nothings to each others’ ears. See...Read More

Shurijo Castle Park’s Ryukyu Traditional Sweets [CULTURE Gourmet LIFE]
Within Shuri Castle lies a special room that at one time was used as a waiting room for special guest. This room was used by princes, various officials, and diplomats to hold infor...

Traditional sweets in Okinawa, its since the Ryukyu Era [CULTURE Gourmet Ryukyu History]
Though Okinawa is part of Japan, the island has had many influences from China, as well as from other cultures from around the world. One of those influences came in the form of sw...

Radiating Relics of the Past. Now at the Urasoe Art Museum! [Ryukyu History]
From September 14th to October 28th, the Urasoe Art Museum will be hosting the “Kira-kira Hikaru Exhibition”, where some of the world’s most illustrious relics of the past will be ...

Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.157 [Japanese Lesson]
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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.156 [Japanese Lesson]
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Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.155 [Japanese Lesson]
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Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.154 [Japanese Lesson]
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Tomigusuku City, Okinawa’s Fastest Growing City [Okinawa Series]
Tomigusuku City is located just south of Naha, the capital of Okinawa, and has become a rapidly growing region in recent years. It became the fastest-growing city in Japan six time...

Okinawa, The Land of Karate [CULTURE]
Karate is one of the most popular martial arts in the world today. It was developed in Okinawa during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom where it received heavy influences from Chinese ...

Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.153 [Japanese Lesson]
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Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.152 [Japanese Lesson]
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Fundraising for Fukushima, An Okinawa Charity Event [Community]
Many still remember the Great 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in northeastern Japan. Claiming over 15,000 lives and leaving many towns in ruins, the earthquake and the tsunami t...

Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.151 [Japanese Lesson]
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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...

Japanese Lesson by Global Village Vol.150 [Japanese Lesson]
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