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Last Update: May 25, 2012 News
Nature Solar eclipse visible May 21st on OkinawaFrom southeastern Fukushima to Kyushu, and even on Okinawa, a rare astronomical phenomenon is coming up early Monday in form of the annular eclipse of the sun. The annular eclipse of the sun will be seen like a ring, and will be visible across a wide area of the Pacific Ocean and Japan. Read More! Africa MaiMai dangers concern local officialsAn East African Land Snail is not something you’d expect to run across on Okinawa, but creepy as it sounds, they’re here. Even worse, the giant snails are not only ugly, but they are often dangerous, particularly to children. Read More! Rainy season spawns humidity, deadly moldsOkinawa’s sub-tropical environment is always warm and humid, ranking among the five most humid prefectures in Japan, but this is the season when it gets even worse. Rainy season brings heavy humidity that wreaks damages to farmers and fishermen, and to supermarkets that must fend against the molds that plague vegetables. Read More!Shopping Tokyo gains attention at Edo-Asakusa exhibitionTokyo old and new are gaining attention this week at the Edo-Asakusa Exhibition now in progress at Okinawa Mitsukoshi. The Edo element of the exhibition stems from Edo being the former name of Tokyo and the capital area during the shogunate in the Edo Period 1603-1868. Read More! Okinawa cola creation debuts in JuneA new cola with an exotic twist is about to be unveiled as Okinawa joins the cola generation. Okinawa Brown Sugar Cola, also called Okinawa Kokuto Cola, hits store shelves on June 4th, an Okinawa Prefecture collaboration with Japan Tobacco Inc. Read More! Mihama Ferris wheel rolling strong againAn iconic central Okinawa landmark, the Mihama Ferris wheel, is back in business after disappointing thousands by shutting down due to repairs issues. The longtime symbol of Mihama was plunged out of business several months ago after SkyMax 60, the company that operated it for 11 years, called it quits due to difficult and expensive mechanical repairs. Read More! Geisha performance to recognize new drug storeA drug store known as friendly and value-oriented is now open in Mihama Carnival Park with a series of sales in progress, as well as this weekend scheduled geisha performances. Daikoku Drug’s first central Okinawa branch is on the first floor of Chatan American Village, the building with the Ferris Wheel as a landmark. Read More! 40 vendors open at Ryubo Setouchi ExhibitionThe Setouchi inland sea encompasses nine different mainland Japanese prefectures, enough to inspire Ryubo Department Store to stage a special San-in and Seto Inland Sea Exhibition. San-in means the most northeastern part of mainland Japan except Kyushu, and Setouchi is the area of the inland sea between the mainland, Kyushu and Shikoku Island. Read More!Community Runners, fishermen ready for Sunday at White BeachFishermen are getting their tackle, rods and reels ready for Sunday’s White Beach Annual Tsuri Tournament, while runners are preparing for the Heshikiya 10k Friendship Run also slated for the morning. The fishing tournament kicks off at 6 a. Read More! Artisan creates Okinawa-design Matryoshka'sIllustrator and craft artist Prickynuu is attracting plenty of attention with her unique, original design Matryoshka that seemingly are flying off the shelves across Okinawa. The Hokkaido-turned-Okinawa artist has teamed with craft partner Feliz Sundry Shop located in Urasoe City’s Miyagi district, but she’s not turning her back on all the friends and customers she’s met while hawking her works on Kokusai Street since coming to the island nearly 12 years ago. Read More!Localbeat Golden Kings trash Phoenix to win league titleThe Ryukyu Golden Kings were the top team in the Basketball Japan League this season, racking up a 39-13 regular season record in its quest for a shot at the playoffs and a second league title, and it all came together in Tokyo’s Ariake Colosseum with a drubbing of the defending champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix. What made the 89-73 victory even more special was the ‘revenge’ element brought forward in the rematch between the Golden Kings and the Phoenix. Read More!40 years from reversion Okinawa stuck with U.S. military burdenAlthough Tuesday marked the 40th anniversary of Okinawa's return to Japanese administration in 1972, the southernmost prefecture finds itself struggling under a continuing U.S. Read More! Okinawa marks Reversion 40th AnniversaryOkinawa marked the 40th anniversary Tuesday of its return to Japanese administration on May 15, 1972. The Japanese government and the Okinawa Prefectural Government held a ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan, where the U. Read More!Entertainment Schwab launches military festivals seasonA modern rock band, entertainment for everyone from one to 100, and a variety of foods are in store for visitors this Saturday and Sunday as Camp Schwab unveils the military’s summer of festivals. The 6th annual Camp Schwab Festival opens its doors from 2 p. Read More! Naminoue Shrine to stage Nanmin FestivalOne of the most venerable shrines in Okinawa, Naminoue Shrine in Naha, will hold its Nanmin Festival this weekend. The day called “Reitaisai” for Naminoue Shrine is the 17th of May each year, today, the day most important rites for each shrine takes place. Read More!Winners And this week's winner is...Kevin Hadley is the winner of this week’s Japan Update raffle, and won a one-night stay for two at Onna Marine View Palace courtesy of Okinawa Tourland Hotel Booking website. Kevin has lived alkl of his 24 years in Okinawa, and says he has no plans of leaving. Read More!» Fill out our survey for a chance to win!  And this week's winner is...Laura White will enjoy the concert of the world famous Vienna Choir Boys, a.k. Read More!» Fill out our survey for a chance to win! Culture French, Okinawan artists showcase surreal beautyAlan Affichard and Masashi Kokuba know how to blend realities of fantasy, offering an exhibition, “Journey Between Reality and Fantasy” at Cotonoha Artspace and Café. Mashashi Kokuba is a specialist in block print, as well as being a photo artist, understanding that when reality and fantasy become close to each other, perceptions of reality and fantasy change. Read More! Paper-cutting artisan will debut works at AshibinaaA Kirigami Art Exhibition and workshop featuring a renowned Japanese photographer opens June 1st at Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa in Tomigusuku. The exhibition, Mitsuhiko Imamori Art of Scissors: the Art of Paper-cutting Exhibition, will be open daily 10 a. Read More! Origami Exhibition to honor Okinawa Prefecture MuseumAn Origami Exhibition is set to open May 29th at the Okinawa Prefecture Museum and Art Museum on the occasion of the museum’s 5th anniversary. Admission is free to the Origami Exhibition to be held in the Okinawa Prefecture Museum and Art Museum’s Okinawa Residential Gallery 1, open daily 9 a. Read More! Clay texture determines artisan's next projectPaul Lorimer loves making Okinawan pottery, appreciating that “making shisa is a delicate and labor-intensive job, so when I feel tired, I immediately stop making them because it’s not worth making shisa unless you enjoy doing it.” His philosophy of enjoying himself and appreciating life has driven him from early adulthood, when after growing up on a farm in Auckland, New Zealand, he wanted to study oceanography at a university but quit after a year because “I wanted to have fun instead of studying. Read More!Gourmet Festival brings in culture, cuisine from across ItalyItaly, the sprawling southern European nation shaped like a boot, is known—together with Greece—as being the bedrock of western civilization. The customs, culture and of course cuisine of Italy is being offered up this weekend by the Seamen’s Club Naha, which has been coordinating its Italian Festival with the Italian Embassy in Tokyo and with an Italian chef who’s putting the ‘mama mia’ touches on everything flavorful. Read More!Travel ANA bests competitor JAL on passengersFor a second year in a row, All Nippon Airways outdid its rival, Japan’s national carrier, by flying more passengers. ANA admits that while topping Japan Airlines Co. Read More! |
        
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