LIFE
Pick Up Stories
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
Okinawa Beach Opening Information 2026! [CURRENT ISSUE LIFE]
Okinawa Beach Opening Information 2026! Ginowan Tropical Beach (Apr. 18) Chatan Sunset Beach (Apr. 10) Chatan Araha Beach (Mid. Apr.) Nishih...Read More
Shimenawa, sacred New Year rice straw fe… [Living]
“Shimenawa,” literally a “closing rope” is a decoration mostly seen at Shinto shrines to mark holy places where spirits reside. A variation ...Read More
2013.10.31
Makeman Urasoe open in new premises [Shopping]
The largest Makeman hardware store in Okinawa, often known to Americans living on the island as the “Monkey Store” because of its ubiquitous handyman monkey logo, opens today in ne...
2013.10.28
Hello Kitty takes on Halloween grin at Mr. Donut [Shopping]
Ghosts and goblins are making their way onto store shelves, and into food establishments, as Halloween approaches, and Mr. Donut has joined the fun with Hello Kitty specials. The d...
2013.10.28
Tihar aims for authentic taste of Nepal [Gourmet]
Tihar, which boasts to be the one and only authentic Nepali restaurant in Okinawa, has opened its second shop in Chatan’s Hamby area. Tihar’s first restaurant has been in business ...
Mitsukoshi highlights Fukushima Prefecture products and tourism [Shopping]
The 13th Fukushima Prefecture Products and Tourism Exhibition is currently on way in Okinawa Mitsukoshi department store in Naha City. The exhibition runs through Oct. 28 on the 6t...
2013.10.21
Jasmine pampering becomes even more refined [Health & Beauty]
Thailand’s known as the ‘Land of Smiles’ but here on Okinawa, a local business has people calling it another ‘Land of Smiles’. Perhaps the best known Thai Massage location on Okina...
2013.10.21
“World’s beautiful oceans smiling towards the 22nd Century!” [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heirich-Sanchez Here we are straddling typhoons again while we get ready for a busy week. APE poster is ready and thanks to woodblock artist Naka Bokunen for providing us wi...
2013.10.20
It’s slow driving on Okinawa [Living]
Have you ever noticed that the pace of driving on Okinawa is a lot slower? The roads are a bit more slippery than other roads, traffic lights occur more often, roads are quite nar...
2013.10.17
Okinawan Soba is dish fit for kings… and everyone else [Gourmet]
By Bill Charles Today’s a really big day on Okinawa, seriously. October 17th is the day this prefecture and its citizens pay homage to Okinawa Soba. A bowl of soba to an Okinawan ...
Crows attack migrating Grey-faced buzzards [Nature & Environment]
Grey-faced buzzards on their annual migration through Okinawa to south-east Asian regions for the approaching winter are facing an increasing hazard from flocks of local crows. On ...
Three Iheya school girls find “It’s big world” [Education]
Iheya Island Board of Education announced students Kana Nishime, Mari Kojima and Yuna Takara, all third graders at Iheya Junior High School, reported their 30-day short home stay i...
2013.10.14
Pets priority with new Japan Update column [Living]
Japan Update is introducing Ichiro Gushiken, a veterinarian who’s also the owner of Animal Hospital 22 in Yogi, Okinawa City. Gushiken will use this column, Pet Talk, to answer qu...
2013.10.14
Sustainability integrated into system becomes “systainablity” [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez The Nobel Prizes were just announced, and we are sending a big bang of applause for the laureates. While we celebrate these accomplishments we continue to s...
2013.10.13
Getting Married on Okinawa is simple [Family]
For anyone thinking of tying the knot on Okinawa but are not sure how, look no further. Getting married in Japan is a little different than getting married in America. To become le...
Seniors go back to school to complete education [Education]
In the chaos on Okinawa after the war, many children were not able to finish school or attend at all, and have a mandatory education. But better late than never. A special school t...
2013.10.10
Adidas and Sports Depo introduce perfect running shoe [Shopping]
It used to be that a runner intend on buying a pair of new sneakers went to a shop, tried on a pair or two, and picked up what felt good there and then. That was when times were s...
2013.10.10
October marks second-hand kimono sale [Shopping]
It’s a four-day event for the entire family or for anyone who admires the beauty of the kimono tradition, a special sale on second-hand kimonos. Held annually for 11 years now, thi...
2013.10.06
Indira is first to introduce southern Indian cuisine to Okinawa [Gourmet]
South Indian cuisine is often defined as meaning cuisines from the four southern states of India; Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Restaurant Indira is the first ...
2013.10.04
Blue October Marine Debris Art Challenge on way [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez & Dolores Prin So, Okinawa! Aren’t we lucky? We get to live on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. We don’t want trash in our gorgeous bl...
2013.09.30
Okinawa coast cleanup efforts going strong [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez Several groups have joined us in cleanup efforts throughout the month of September, and a special thanks to them. Johnson Controls took the lead by not only...
2013.09.28
Stripe Noodles focuses on culture, new kinds of ramen dishes [Gourmet]
The idea behind Stripe Noodles is to focus on introducing Japanese culture and customs to U.S. military members through food. At Stripe Noodles the meals are served from original d...
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