CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Ie Island is often overlooked sightseein… [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Lilies, who does not love lilies? And not only one, but one million of them and although mostly white, also in yellow, ...Read More
Onna’s resort atmosphere creates tranqui… [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Summer is right around the corner, and this year Okinawa is forecast to welcome more visitors from all over Asia than e...Read More
Okinawa National Theatre is home of Kumi… [CULTURE]
By Bill Charles Two pieces of the prefecture’s traditional classical performing arts, Kumiodori, a kind of Okinawan opera, are presented thi...Read More
2014.04.20
Ie Island is often overlooked sightseeing spot [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Lilies, who does not love lilies? And not only one, but one million of them and although mostly white, also in yellow, pink and orange! This week we are introd...
2014.04.18
Photographer Shokyu Otsuka captures spirit of Okinawa islands [CULTURE]
Meet Shokyu Otsuka, photographer for the beautiful pictorial illustrating life in the Ryukyu Archipelago, on Sat., Apr. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Kadena Exchange and Sun., Apr. 2...
2014.04.05
Onna’s resort atmosphere creates tranquility [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Summer is right around the corner, and this year Okinawa is forecast to welcome more visitors from all over Asia than ever before, something in excess of 0.8 m...
2014.03.31
Hamauri ritual purifies body of evil spirits [Community]
Hamauri is one of Okinawa’s oldest customs, a time when people cleanse themselves of evil spirits. On Mar. 3rd of the lunar calendar, women go to the beach to dip their hands and f...
2014.03.23
Fine arts exhibition kicks off Sunday [CULTURE]
The island’s best-known annual arts exhibition, Okiten, gets under way Sunday at the Urasoe City Gymnasium, featuring hundreds of works in a variety of creative disciplines. Advanc...
2014.03.20
Okinawa National Theatre is home of Kumiodori [CULTURE]
By Bill Charles Two pieces of the prefecture’s traditional classical performing arts, Kumiodori, a kind of Okinawan opera, are presented this weekend at the Okinawa National Theatr...
2014.03.17
Higashi Museum focuses on nature, humans and history [History]
Higashi Museum is not your usual museum as it has a library where one can enjoy a book as if the in the calmness of a forest. It has Internet access and a study hall to hold exhibi...
2014.03.14
Higashi Village: blessed with nature and scenery [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Higashi Village is well known in northern Okinawa for its scenic beauty, fresh air and abundant nature. It’s also the home to Okinawa’s best known profession...
2014.03.13
Global Village celebrates St. Patrick’s Day [Community]
Global Village in Futenma is ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish with Global Village with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Party on Saturday, two days before the actual date, in o...
2014.03.07
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...
2014.03.03
Ganju Eki has bridge to grant wish come true [Community]
Ganju Eki is one of the four Farmers’ Markets within Nanjo City. It offers vegetables of the season, local events information and helps visitors to plan a perfect trip in Nanjo Cit...
2014.03.02
Okinawa’s Sanshin takes center stage Tuesday [Community]
The unique and distinct sounds of the Okinawa sanshin, often called Okinawa’s guitar, are heard across Okinawa daily, but Tuesday will be honored as its special day. The sanshin is...
2014.02.20
Plaza House hosts International Festival [Community]
Plaza House Shopping Mall is the venue for the 24th Okinawa City International Festival sponsored by the Okinawa City International Association, Sunday. The day-long program starts...
2014.02.20
Tomodachi Works slated for this weekend [Community]
The 5th Tomodachi Works international friendship exchange event takes place Saturday and Sunday on the Akara Gallery parking lot at the Depot Island shopping complex. The event sta...
2014.02.14
Kitanakagusuku Village boasts excellent feng shui [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Kitanakagusuku Village, once part of Nakagusuku Village with a rich and long history, is located in the Nakagami District of the central part of Okinawa. The N...
2014.02.07
Nuri River Sakura Festival is community event [Community]
February is the peak of the cherry blossom season in Okinawa with many communities hosting their own events. Nuri River Cherry Blossom Festival in Gushikawa, Uruma City, started as...
2014.02.06
Calligraphy artisan’s collection on display through Sunday [CULTURE]
Kunii Takezaki, a modern-day calligraphy teacher, is showcasing her collection at the Naha Civic Gallery on Palette Kumoji’s sixth floor through Sunday. The Calligraphy Art Collect...
2014.02.03
Sanshin is great communicator when in Okinawa [CULTURE]
By David Higgins The best-known Okinawan instrument is Sanshin, also known as the Okinawan banjo. Shamisen in Mainland Japan is its close cousin. The neck of the Sanshin instrumen...
2014.01.31
Itoman counts on lunar calendar and ocean for prosperity [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu January is about to end, and although most might think there may only be cherry blossoms during this chilly Okinawa season, there is another festivity which ma...
2014.01.30
Charity concert to benefit Philippines typhoon victims [Community]
On Nov. 8, 2013, typhoon Yolanda hit Bangon in the Philippines killing about 8,000 people, many of whom are still missing, and over 1,200 were injured and left without homes. More ...
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