CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Nanjo City is full of history, beaches, … [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. ...Read More
Kitanakagusuku Village boasts excellent … [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Kitanakagusuku Village, once part of Nakagusuku Village with a rich and long history, is located in the Nakagami Distri...Read More
Itoman counts on lunar calendar and ocea… [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 sea...Read More
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 ...
2014.01.27
Golden Kings bus tour generates friendship exchanges [Community]
It centered on basketball, but the Japan Update ~ Golden Kings Bus Tour with Tomodachi Works proved to be a great opportunity for exchanging thoughts and ideas. Japan Update collab...
2014.01.23
Shisa are ever vigilant protectors of Okinawa [CULTURE]
By David Higgins You might have noticed that almost every entrance and gate way of a typical Okinawan house is occupied by two statues. These statues are protecting the household,...
2014.01.17
Spotlight on Yomitan, most populous village in Japan [Community Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu As one its new projects in 2014, Japan Update is introducing cities, towns and villages of Okinawa in a series of articles throughout this year. We will provid...
2014.01.14
“Flowers of Edo period as seen in Ryukyu” exhibition [History]
Naha City Museum of History is having an exhibition focusing on Ukiyoe woodblock prints from the Edo and Meiji periods. In 1993, a donation of historical items from the Yokoyama fa...
2014.01.13
Kumiodori Exhibition open at National Theater [CULTURE]
The 4th Noh and Kumiodori Exhibition began a two-month run at the National Theater Okinawa on Saturday. The free exhibition will run daily through March 16th at the National Theate...
2014.01.13
Ryukyu Kingdom era clothing exhibition now open [History]
Okinawa traditional clothing of the Ryukyu Kingdom era is now on display at the Naha City Museum of History. The exhibition focuses on traditional clothing with Japanese Symbols, s...
2014.01.09
Coming of Age Day is gateway to adulthood in Japan [Community]
By Bill Charles Seijin no Hi is coming up Monday, and it’s a big day for thousands of young people in Japan who turned 20 during 2013 or will through Mar. 31, 2014. Coming of Age D...
Today is day of ‘muuchii’ [Community]
Today, Dec. 8 of the lunar calendar, or Jan. 8th by the Gregorian calendar this year, is the day for Okinawan people to eat muuchii rice cakes. Muuchii is a traditional Okinawan st...
2013.12.25
‘Tomodachi Works’ extends outreach [Community]
A group formed earlier this fall to create new opportunities for Okinawans, Japanese and foreigners to get to know each other better, has created a new event for January 5th to bri...
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