Yae or Nakijin castle ruins might be a top priority for catching the spring favorite the season and the subtropical weather also lends itself to welcoming other beautiful blossoms not to be overlooked like the impressive cosmos flower it is spelled as “秋桜,” which means “cherry blossom of autumn.” But here in Okinawa the flower blooms in the late winter and early spring months Catch these stunning blooms at the Yomitan Cosmos Festival near the village’s Sports Ground running through early February the cosmos are hitting their peak earlier than usual due to the warmer temperatures so I made my way to the flower field to enjoy the arrival of spring According to Yomitan’s tourism association roughly one million cosmos flowers are in bloom at the Yomitan Cosmos Batake field I was not expecting a superb view like that of cherry blossoms on the mountains in the north I was blown away by a stunning view; countless pink flowers blanketing a flat field the size of a soccer field With several small paths running through each section I could even walk through the middle of the field I noticed many honeybees busy at work collecting nectar I had so much fun chasing the bees through the pink flowers that almost one hour passed when I finally let them go I felt suddenly hungry after strolling the cosmos field but luckily there were food trucks on-site selling tasty crepes and fried bread I ordered a raspberry crepe from one of the trucks The warm crepe with a light pink raspberry sauce made me feel like I was tasting cosmos’ nectar like the bees in the field Plan a day trip to Yomitan to see what the buzz is all about Location: Yomitan Cosmos Batake (26.396929 Free parking available at Yomitan Village Sports Ground (26.397358 Parking is prohibited on the grass field by the flower field Read now > Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan Today's print edition Home Delivery on Saturday mourned those who died in a mass suicide at a cave in Okinawa Prefecture 80 years ago in the final stages of World War II They offered a silent prayer and incense sticks to the altar in a memorial service at the Chibichiri Gama cave in the village of Yomitan.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The mass suicide occurred in April 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa the largest ground battle in Japan during the war "We do not want a tragic war to happen again," Norio Yonaha who lost five relatives including his grandparents in the mass suicide "We have an obligation to pass on the baton of peace to future generations." "Wars are taking place in various parts of the world so we wish world peace from Chibichiri Gama." "We want to pass on the memories of the tragedy to younger generations while we are still healthy," said Takashi Ameku who lost his maternal grandmother and others in the incident took their own lives with kitchen knives and other instruments believing that they would be brutally killed if captured by U.S In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Uminchu Shokudo is a cafeteria style seafood restaurant located in the Yomitan Village Fishermen’s Cooperative Store this seaside store sells a huge variety of fresh seafood including sashimi there is a cafeteria style restaurant (Uminchu Shokudo) that serves excellent seafood dishes including rice bowls with various seafood toppings and seafood soups The food is simple but delicious and the atmosphere very authentic Orders are placed through a ticket machine and then the tickets given to the cooks who prepare the meal A restaurant favorite is the fried tuna rice bowl Another unusual but satisfying dish is the squid ink soup a black colored soup with tender pieces of squid The seafood kaisendon is a colorful dish with a generous amount of umibudo There are English translations of the items on the menu as well as in the store in general The more popular dishes can be purchased on the first floor to go Tempura can also be ordered to go or taken upstairs to eat in the cafeteria with the other dishes Prices are very reasonable with no dish costing more than 2000 yen The seating is either at tables inside the restaurant or outside on the patio Sitting on the patio with the sun and ocean breeze eating fresh seafood is a wonderful experience There is a parking lot in the port for visitors Toya Port offers many activities including fishing boat tours and a whale shark snorkeling and diving expedition tour Stop by at this restaurant on your way to the Yachimun pottery stores in Yomitan or the Cape Zanpa lighthouse Uminchu Shokudo is located in the Yomitan Village Fishermen’s Cooperative Store building at the Toya fishing port Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Vox Populi Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun troops stormed ashore at the main island of Okinawa It occurred at the bottom of a small valley not far from the coast Of about 140 local residents who hid in Chibichirigama cave 83 lost their lives due to desperate acts such as setting fire inside the cave The names and ages of those who died can be found in the “Yomitanson shi” (history of Yomitan village) a history compiled by the municipal government Sueko Oshiro was 8 and Yoshiharu Chibana was 3 Even though it's referred to as a “mass suicide,” 60 percent of the victims were children 18 or younger “Just as the Imperial Japanese Army massacred the Chinese now it is our turn to be killed by the American forces.” a male villager who had experience on the Chinese front set fire inside the cave There is also testimony describing how a woman who was returning home from the former Manchuria spoke of the fate that awaited women of a defeated nation and recommended death by suicide we’ll be mistreated and killed anyway,” the woman reportedly said The cruel acts committed by Japanese soldiers in China had come back to haunt the people in the cave fueling their fear and prompting them to take their own lives It is also a historical fact that the main units of the Japanese forces that fought against the U.S forces in Okinawa in the closing days of World War II were soldiers who had transferred from the battlefields of China creating a continuum where the weak were sacrificed It is time to reflect on the grim fact that today exists only as a moment in a history that once saw these unbearable horrors of war We have to strain our eyes to absorb the distressing words left by those who died and reflect deeply and earnestly on their implications Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture Kishida still worlds apart on Okinawa memorial day VOX POPULI: Ultimate reality of smartphone addiction: It’s here to stay VOX POPULI: Creativity and independence of governors remain critical VOX POPULI: 12 Palestinian poets spotlighted in magazine anthology VOX POPULI: Meloni’s ‘real self was revealed’ in G-7 communique Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission As another hot summer sun beat down on Okinawa last year me and a group of five fellow surfers paddled out off Yomitan in search of our next wave With only two more hours before the sunset we had pro surfer Danny Melhado to guide us This was my second time surfing and I chose Happy Surfing Okinawa for the one-day surf lesson taught by Melhado My first attempt off the mainland in Shonan-Enoshima Beach in Kanagawa Pref so I knew I wanted to try on my home turf here on the island the six of us headed to the launchpoint where Melhado would direct us into what would hopefully be a successful ride on a wave the waves at Yomitan seem to come in quicker As the others in the group reached the launchpoint assisted his students into the oncoming waves I could see other students glide above the water with smiles on their faces Although some of them said they were beginners from my veiwpoint they looked like they had done it before Danny cued me as I transitioned from a paddling position and pushed up to bring my feet to the middle of the board my body too tight and unable to maintain a balance on the surfboard I laughed it off and paddled back to the launchpoint to keep trying a concern crossed my mind; What if I just keep falling off not having even one single successful ride my body reacted before my mind was crushed by the pressure Bringing my feet to the center of the board I found myself in a balance as if it was meant to be It was probably because I was using a longboard which has good buoyancy just letting the wave carry me toward the shore Although it had been almost a year since I first tried surfing muscle memory kicked in and I was reminded again of the unique and exhilarating feeling I experienced during my first attempt at riding a wave I went for more attempts with the aim of achieving that feeling and the balance I had already managed But then then the exhaustion from paddling against the waves began to set in I felt so tired that I could barely walk on my own But it felt good feeling the fatigue because I knew it was good exercise Kelsi Corriveau from Kadena Air Base was one of the other members that joined me on the waves that afternoon This was Corriveau’s first time surfing and she admitted that though she was nervous at first I plan on coming back here,” Corriveau said Madeline Prine from Camp Kinser is a regular surfer but she learned a lot and received good feedback in the session with Melhado who knew what they were doing and who was able to give me guidance was very beneficial,” Prine said adding that she’s surfed at other locations around the island like Sunabe Seawall and Suicide Cliffs “I think surfing is one of the sports that are really fun because it’s so challenging,” Prine said and you have that payoff of actually catching a wave and going out This was my second time jumping on a surfboard and though it was more exhausting than the first time The irreplaceable thrill of finally catching a wave is one that on my drive home already had me thinking of when I’d go back and try again Melhado: I started surfing at the age of 10 in Florida I competed from the age of 14 and became a member of the United States Surfing Team alongside world surfing champion Kelly Slater I became an East Coast professional champion and competed worldwide on the World Surf League After retiring from traveling as a pro surfer I have been teaching surfing now for 15 years 10 of which have been here at my surfing school in Okinawa I have 37 years surfing experience around the world S&S: What is surfing like in Okinawa compared to other popular surf locations Melhado: Okinawa has some world class amazing waves The great thing about reef breaks is the wave is mechanical where it breaks in the same place every time and you have a channel of water to paddle back out so you’re not having to push through waves Now the hard facts about surfing in Okinawa: It’s very tidal (around 6 feet of water) so most places are not able to surf at low tides Okinawa is a wonderful place for small wave surfing long boards and beginner surfing which tend to be more expert-only waves as they are generally fast and hollow S&S: Do you have safety tips for surfing in Okinawa Melhado: As far as surfing safely in Okinawa you want someone to help teach you about tides and each break is very different as well as each day is very different You want to get to know the spots you frequent and have the best local knowledge you can get before just jumping into a new place You can get so much out of a few guided tours whether it is beginner school or getting introduced to a new spot S&S: You have been to many places as a surfer Melhado: Surfing has become a popular worldwide sport and it’s wonderful to travel and experience all the waves There are lots of surf camps and schools around the world I would always recommend you do your homework Talk to people who have been there and what their experience was make sure you are being taught from a professional Just because someone puts up an ad does not mean they are a good teacher there is a lot of bad apples out there just jumping on the wagon and you will get what you pay for S&S: What other advice do you have for those interested in surfing Melhado: Surfing is a great way to stay fit and to give yourself time away from the stresses on land endurance (not muscles) and understanding of the ocean soldiers met with their Japanese neighbors this week at a coffee shop near an Army base on Okinawa for a State Department program designed to bring the communities together The monthly language exchange — called Asakatsu meaning “morning activity” — was started by the U.S Consulate General Naha a dozen years ago and has since spread to 10th Support Group soldiers from Torii Station a coffee shop approximately 2 miles east of the base The event on Tuesday drew more than 20 soldiers and Okinawans from a Starbucks barista to a staffer from Japan’s Ministry of Defense “It encourages our folks to get involved in the community,” said Lt The Saipan native came to his second meeting to improve his Japanese and meet “interesting” people “We can learn a lot from each other,” he said This month’s event was themed “road trips in America." military has 32 installations in Okinawa prefecture a series of islands roughly the size of Tokyo city A sizable protest movement on Okinawa has tried for years to reduce the military footprint on the island Valino credited his conversation partners for coming to meet and chat with strangers from a foreign land “I always come to try and speak English for practice,” said Rio Yamauchi She enjoyed stories of the American homeland and its beauty who moved to Okinawa three years ago from Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido said she came to make new friends and ended up learning about Alabama and Route 66 which runs from Chicago through the American Midwest and Southwest to Santa Monica consulate staff organized the first Asakatsu event in 2011 at the Starbucks near Barclay Court in Urasoe consulate spokeswoman Nicole Lima Nucelli wrote in an email Tuesday That exchange — held on the first two Wednesdays of each month from 7:30-8:30 a.m — pairs English-speaking volunteers with Japanese residents to strengthen their English skills The Army-sponsored event started in 2016 and is held the third Tuesday of each month from 7:30-8:30 a.m The consulate is working with the Navy to start a third chapter in Chatan "These interactions strengthen the bond between the local community and Americans living in Okinawa," Nucelli said The Army event typically averages about 40 people Participants on Tuesday overwhelmingly said they enjoyed the coffee and conversation One of Okinawa’s biggest pottery markets is back this weekend in Yomitan shoppers can peruse Yachimun pottery pieces at the Yomitan Pottery Festival’s 31st installment The festival will run at the Yomitan Farmers’ Market Yunta Ichiba from 10 a.m and feature collections of local pottery artisans selling their wares Yachimun pottery originated on Okinawa more than 400 years ago to the Ryukyu Kingdom The unique and colorful designs are a product of the kingdom’s cultural exchange with Southeast Asia Tsuboya District of the current Naha City used to be a mecca of “Yachimun” since the kingdom had aggregated manufacturers to the area in 1682 Yomitan Village became another production site after Jiro Kinjo a legendary craftsman moved his studio to the host municipality of Torii Station in 1972 Don’t miss the festival and enjoy one of Okinawa’s local Location: Yomitan Farmers’ Market Yunta Ichiba (N 26.392576 Yomitan Village on the west side of island is known for its historical sites The village is easily accessible to Torii Station and Kadena You can spend a day here and not run out of fun activities for everyone in your group Below are three great spots to some quality time and grab a nice bite to eat Whether you live in or are visiting Okinawa tourists in costumes driving go-karts alongside regular traffic are a common sight But did you know there is a way to up the ante on regular go-karts with no costume required Just a short 10-minute drive from Torii Station or 30 minutes from Camp Foster you can feed your need for speed on the Kukuru Yomitan Circuit racetrack mini motorbike and go-kart competitions often take place on weekends The rest of the time the track is open to visitors who would like to get a taste of what it feels like to be a Formula 1 or Indy Car driver Since go-karts are not complicated machines they are easy to maneuver and easy to drive While sharing the road with regular traffic in a go-kart can be exhilarating a drive on the racetrack is bound to give you an adrenaline rush It is often said that driving a go-kart can feel two to three times faster than its actual speed thanks to the low angle view from the cockpit where the gravity hits drivers not just vertically but horizontally Though prior experience and driving skills can make a difference on the track they are not essential in making you feel like a professional driver at Kukuru making a Michael Andretti or Luis Hamilton out of them The exhilarating fun of driving the small open-wheels attracts many Americans “They have a good time go-karting here,” Onaga said the racetrack has brochures and written instructions in English Depending on what type of adrenaline rush you’re searching for The “5-Minute Plan” is an introductory course and most affordable program where adults can drive up to 7 to 8 laps on average For those who would like to have more fun and thrills on the track the “All-You-Can-Ride Plan” might be up their alley allowing visitors to drive as much as they like within the time limit of 30 minutes or one hour The “Rental Race Plan” allows you to tap into your competitive side with a practice run a time trial and two heats that pits you against others in your party the plan even includes a victory ceremony to present a trophy to the champion and a champagne fight visitors can choose between a sprint race and an endurance race A safety briefing is provided to all riders regardless of which plan was chosen and drivers are required to wear helmets Six go-karts can compete at the same time in the “Rental Race Plan,” whereas only four cars can run in other plans bring all your friends and family to the Yomitan Kukuru Circuit to feel like a pro Theme park brings back old views and history you’ll find a theme park which offers something curious to both history buffs and arts and crafts fans take a walk back to Naha’s old Chinatown and see a park dedicated to Okinawa’s history and culture Originally constructed as a TV set for “Ryukyu no Kaze Dragon Spirit” a historical TV drama which aired nationwide in 1993 visitors can now enjoy the traditional-style buildings reminiscent of when the Ryukyu Kingdom was invaded in 1609 by Satsuma using the story of the invasion as its plotline the drama depicted the difficult time that the kingdom went through as its prosperity took a downturn visitors can visit the buildings and try several arts and crafts and other activities the park has to offer a brick-paved road and stone walls lined with many Shisa dogs above welcome visitors The red accents of the buildings stand out and are a nod to Chinese culture’s past influence on Okinawa The theme park’s buildings share similarities with Shuri Castle but are dedicated to Kume Mura is a replica of a building that used to accommodate Chinese delegates it is mostly tourists that visit the red-tile-roofed building for Shisa dog-making Okinawan guitar (kankara sanshin in Japanese) making and lessons Shounin Yashiki replicates what a merchant’s house would look like and is used to exhibit arts and crafts such as miniature windmills a stone structure on the coastline inside the park recreates a pier that was 500 meters off the coast of Naha and thought to have functioned as a fortress to defend Naha port against pirates and later served as a place of worship for safe navigation The iconic spot was even drawn by the artist Hokusai as part of his “Ryukyku Hyakkei” (Eight Views of Ryukyu) series of paintings Although Murasaki Mura’s buildings and structures may be replicas a visit to the theme park will take you back into the era and provide a perspective of Okinawa’s rich history and a place to try many different Okinawan crafts Village pizzeria pairs American-style slices and Okinawa ocean views While eating pizza may not require a special location to enjoy it at Ocean’s Pizza in Yomitan Village the ocean views add something special to the dining experience a facility with many shops and restaurants near Murasaki Mura which is known for its beautiful ocean views and long stretches of sea cliffs the restaurant’s concept is “a delicious and delightful American dining experience.” This goes both for their food and atmosphere The specialty pizza menu includes “Hawaiian” Customers can choose between “Krispy,” the restaurant’s name for a thin Diners can choose from 12 pizzas on the a la carte menu or go for the popular All-You-Can-Eat-Pizza (1,150 yen) buffet the lineup of pizzas included a couple of sweet dessert pizzas one featuring marshmallows and caramel sauce while the other was topped with chopped fruits and corn flakes Visiting the pizzeria after an adrenaline-pumping go-kart ride I found it hard to stop enjoying the pizza I especially liked the dessert pizza with the combination of baked marshmallows and caramel on a crispy crust as its subtle sweetness hit the spot its roomy dining area and soft lighting enhances the casual beachy vibe Ask to sit on the terrace for a front-row seat to the ocean vistas while you enjoy a slice the warm homemade pizza paired with the stunning ocean view make for an inexpensive way to enjoy a nice lunch or special sunset dinner I’ll share the joy of American-style pizza and the Okinawan ocean views with my family A short drive from Murasaki Mura are two caves with historical significance: Chibichiri Gama and Shimuku Gama These caves were used during World War II and now provide a glimpse into what happened in the early days of the Battle of Okinawa military arrived on Yomitan Village’s coast and the initial battle took place the village saw a total of 740 casualties in that month alone according to a report by the Okinawa Times Chibichiri Gama is a cave with a sad history according to Yomitan Village’s Tourism Association Because they believed Americans were “kichiku” (Japanese for evil) they decided this was the only alternative to surrendering a stone monument was erected to pay tribute to the deceased but only the outer part of the cave as entry is prohibited but one in which the fate of the villagers who sought shelter in this cave was quite different about 1,000 villagers took shelter in the cave like those in Chibichiri Gama two Okinawans who had spent time in Hawaii alerted the locals in the cave that “Americans don’t kill people,” thus encouraging them to surrender Visitors can enter Shimuku Gama but make sure to wear athletic shoes and exercise caution The difference between life and death marks these two similar caves as worlds apart and 75 years later continue to serve as a reminder of a tragic time in our shared histories - Chibichiri Gama GPS Coordinates: N 26.405367 E 127.724061 - Shimuku Gama GPS Coordinates: N 26.402432 * Chibibichiri Gama has a parking space nearby * The inner part of Chibichiri Gama is off-limits * Shimuku Gama is near a local residential area * Both caves have streams and when it rains it is advised to wear sports shoes and carry a flash light and gloves a racetrack within short 10-minute drive from Torii Station now closes at 5 p.m. This change to the hours has been introduced due to the COVID-19 outbreak Customers are expected to follow the below instructions Vehicles need to be parked with one parking spot apart b Sanitize your hands with disinfectant at the entrance d Sanitize your hands with disinfectant at the exit ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- suspended sentence for beating a bar owner unconscious with a beer mug 9 in Naha District Court to assault resulting in injury for the Dec District Court Judge Takashi Kato said at Friday’s sentencing hearing The unnamed bar owner in his 50s was hospitalized and suffered two lost teeth and a broken collarbone “There is no reason to justify the defendant’s actions,” Kato said after passing the sentence Housenick arrived at the unnamed bar past midnight and drank with other customers and staff for several hours until only he and the bar owner remained An argument ensued; Housenick pushed the bar owner to the floor and beat him unconscious with the mug The assault occurred sometime between 5:41 a.m when the owner regained consciousness and called police Police found the owner unconscious on the floor Housenick called bar employees later that day and said the bar owner said something that upset him Housenick faced up to 15 years in prison or a $3,300 fine Prosecutors had sought two years imprisonment Kato suspended Housenick’s sentence for three years meaning he will likely not serve jail time unless convicted again in Japan Housenick admitted guilt and had already paid just over $6,500 to the victim in compensation Housenick does not plan to appeal the sentence Details about Housenick’s Army service were not addressed at the hearing The 10th Support Group at Torii Station did not immediately respond Monday to a request seeking comment One of my first priorities when we move somewhere new or travel to a new location is FOOD I like to find the locally owned "mom-and-pop" shops and I like to find the local grocery stores that carry new things I've never tried before It's just an added bonus if those grocery stores offer unpackaged produce and food in bulk There is one health food store in Okinawa that offers bulk and I love going there (Please tell me if I'm missing any others!) They have a great selection of the kitchen staples - grains If you've spent any time in Japan you know it's often difficult to find unpackaged food Sometimes even a single banana is sold in a plastic bag My joke is that even the packaging has packaging (If you live here you know what I mean!) While I appreciate the detail to presentation sometimes I don't want to create so much trash with the things I buy When we moved here the summer of 2018 my first question for people was often times "Is there a bulk food store?!" Sometimes I got blank stares but thankfully some people in the know told me about the health food store and cafe called Green Leaf (This post doesn't even begin to cover how wonderful the cafe is but you'd be crazy to miss out on their delicious menu!) I've really come to love this little selection of bulk food available on the island Shopping for bulk food really doesn't require any preparation but it's nice taking your own bags or jars so you don't have to use the thin plastic bags provided If you use cotton bags there are tons of options And maybe you even have some around the house already I bought this pack of six from Amazon and it has been great I haven't needed more than six yet but if we lived close to a store with a bigger bulk selection then I would probably need twice that amount If you use glass jars then you will need to make sure you weigh the empty jar before filling them so you don't pay an extra amount for the weight of the jar When you get to the store simply ask if they want to do that for you at the register first or if they want you to write down the tare weight on the jar I love and use the Le Parfait jars in my kitchen I use them for everything from granola to crackers (I prefer the Le Parfait swing top jars over Mason jars with lids because you don't have to keep track of loose lid pieces and there aren't any metal lids to rust and discolor.) If you live near a store with a salad bar or other "wet" bulk foods Le Parfait jars would be perfect Buying food in bulk (and subsequently reducing your amount of waste) doesn't have to be a daunting task As with everything in a sustainable and lower-waste lifestyle Even if you've only purchased two things in bulk that you would normally buy in a package you're doing great Another thing I enjoy about buying food in bulk is that I can control the amount I purchase at once I don't have to buy a "mess load" of carob chips if I only need a 1/2 cup for a specific recipe This also allows us to try small amounts of new things and discover new foods that we enjoy without buying a huge box of food that will potentially sit unused One of my favorite added bonuses - many bulk food items are a lower price than their packaged version The lack of packaging allows stores to price the food lower which means savings for you at the end of the day There are many things to love about buying food in bulk I hope you give it a try no matter where you live and see how you like it I want to see you and your family in the bulk food aisle - tag me on Facebook or Instagram @allie_whalen and show me which new foods you've tried Cafe&Shop Green Leaf ADDRESS: 224−17 Senaha Okinawa 904-0325 TEL: 098-923-3870 HOURS: 10 a.m ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This work, Local elementary school visits Camp Foster for MCCS Friendship Soccer Game, by SSgt Danielle Prentice, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version The Yomitan Sevens rugby tournament only for women dubbed “Women’s Rugby Friendly Tournament” has been confirmed and set to take place in March 2020 in Japan On the tournament’s website it says: “The rugby game event YOMITAN SEVENS was held between February 24th to 25th 2018 at Yomitan village Many teams and individual players joined from Fukuoka We had such a good time together as co-event of international women’s sevens “OKINAWA SEVENS” last year Any team or individual participants are welcome.” There are some minimal criteria for any interested female rugby players but it appears you can register as a team or an individual and play at the 7s rugby tournament Some teams have tentatively expressed interest according to the tournament organisers Interested players and teams can find more information on registration and pricing-tour package option on the 7s rugby tournament website A one-stop shop which covers everything in Asian rugby interviews with the movers and shakers and grassroots drivers No thanks, I’m not interested. Army officer was recognized for rescuing three people from a riptide at a popular Okinawa dive spot in an episode that apparently killed a well-known Japanese manga artist the deputy operations officer for the 10th Support Group at Torii Station in Yomitan was nominated by his command last month for the Soldier’s Medal for his actions during the July 4 rescue at Mermaid’s Grotto in Onna The medal recognizes acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy the creator of the popular Japanese manga series “Yu-Gi-Oh!,” attempted to aid Bourgeau in the rescue a pained Bourgeau told Stars and Stripes on Oct "You play that ‘what if’ game a lot," Bourgeau said "This guy had a huge impact on the world." Takahashi's body was found two days later about 1,000 feet offshore in Awa a Japan Coast Guard spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Oct His rental car was later found at Mermaid's Grotto The Coast Guard spokesman declined to confirm Takahashi's participation in the rescue attempt his actions that day are detailed in several sworn witness statements provided by the Army met a pair of students at Mermaid's Grotto at just after 2 p.m Bourgeau spotted a Japanese woman calling for help who were trapped in a rip current about 100 yards from shore but incoming six-foot waves were crashing on them he and one of his students made their way out to the snorkelers through shallow water while the other student called emergency services Bourgeau jumped into the rip current and sped out to the girl but was quickly exhausted as he worked to bring her toward the shallows Then he encountered her mother who had somehow been sucked into the swirling waters as well “I grabbed mom and I grabbed [the girl] and I just kicked for all life,” Bourgeau said He said he didn't see the Japanese icon during the ordeal Bourgeau's students caught glimpses of him until he disappeared beneath the waves "He's a hero," Bourgeau said of Takahashi "He died trying to save someone else." Bourgeau said he got the women into the shallows and returned for the soldier He tried to help him out of the whirlpool but was soon out of energy and in danger of drowning himself “That was one the hardest things I have ever had to do I let [the man] go so I could save myself,” he wrote in his witness statement that the Army provided “I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Bourgeau said Bourgeau found his last bit of strength and made it out He was then able to direct the soldier out of the whirlpool and onto the shore Stars and Stripes reporter Keishi Koja contributed to this report Spring is a busy season for festivals on the island The competition is going to heat up even more this year with USAG Okinawa Spring Festival set to take place on Torii Beach in Yomitan Town on April 20 Since many events will be taking place across the island on that day some festivalgoers may have a hard time picking one festival lineup with live music from the III MEF Brass Band great food and other activities will be hard to resist Some of the free activities during the USAG Okinawa Spring Festival include a selfie booth and lawn games like cornhole and ring toss Festivalgoers will also be able to make their own shell and sand memento to take home with Coral Creations Just before the festival kicks off on April 20 Torii Beach will mark Earth Day (April 22) early with a clean-up from 10 a.m so make sure to head on over to Torii for these two fun events *This event is open to SOFA ID card holders – noon (meet at Torii Beach Parking Lot at 9:45 a.m *Open to SOFA ID card holders and local nationals with DoD ID Hizuki is a unique store featuring a modern minimalist design as well as curated glass- and tableware from around Japan and the world You can also find special designs only available here from owner and Kyoto-native-turned-Okinawan Miyo Oyabu These surprise due to their delicate imperfections and how they interact with natural light All of Oyabu’s pieces are hand-made and crafted with particular devotion to beautiful form earning her praise from enthusiastic chefs the world over While different from the so-called Ryukyu glass Hizuki is recommended if you want to pick up unique glass tableware as a souvenir 
The shop is located in a corner of a residential area in Yomitan beautiful offerings selected from inside and outside of Japan are on sale Oyabu's work consists of not only tableware This cup is a fusion of different colored glass for a unique look Awaji Island: Japan’s ‘First Island’ Offers a Gourmet Taste of a Sustainable Future Sustainable Farming and Flavorful Harvests on Awaji Island Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film we interviewed its founder and chief representative Koji Kinjo has pioneered a way to successfully transplant farm-grown coral back into the ocean Could it help save the seas from ecologic catastrophe creating constellations of pale pink orbs in the dark ocean As the reef prepares itself for another year one man hauls a tank on his back and slips into the underwater galaxy to collect these budding coral eggs a Yomitan native and the patron of this reef which was at the precipice of eradication over 25 years ago Kinjo achieved something previously thought impossible: He transplanted coral that had been propagated on land back into the ocean — and the coral continued to thrive and spawn in the sea As the founder and director of the Sea Seed coral farm he is able to collect coral samples from the wild which are then cultivated in an aquarium until they reach a certain size they have successfully planted over 150,000 coral plants in the ocean floor Sea Seed’s work is increasingly vital: Coral reefs are known to have the highest biodiversity of all the marine ecosystems in the world and Okinawa is one of the world’s most coral-rich regions many of the island’s reefs are under existential threat This devastation has been occurring for decades the result of several interlocking and human-caused factors like overfishing It was a particularly hot summer in 1998 that first inspired Kinjo to act; that year’s scorching heat killed 90% of Okinawa’s coral reefs in a mass bleaching incident Devastated to see the coral turned ghastly white Kinjo made the life-changing decision to sell off his businesses and devote his life to saving the colorful ocean that he’d been raised alongside “It was hard to make people understand what I was doing,” Kinjo recalls and if anything were worried that taking coral out of the water was doing more harm than good ‘He’s saying he wants to protect corals but I bet he just wants to make money.’ A lot of specialists actually critiqued me and I had to have a lot of conversations to get them to understand my logic.” Kinjo had racked up debt and struggled to produce the results that would prove his critics wrong But he was fueled by his unwavering conviction that what he was doing would be fruitful I kept telling myself that what I was doing was not wrong,” he says which had survived transplantation in 2003 “I felt like I could overturn all the doubt and criticism I’d received I was so moved.” Kinjo became an overnight sensation and local hero; in 2007 he was the recipient of both the Environment Minister’s Prize and Prime Minister’s Award a recognition of the incredible importance of his work Kinjo’s success was a result of carefully studying coral for years “I first raised coral to give it as little stress as possible but it didn’t survive well in the ocean,” he explains left them ill-equipped for life in the sea “I realized that coral raised under stress survives in the wild better so I treated it to withstand extra light and low-sodium water.” This technique yielded a surprising realization: Kinjo found that coral cultivated in stressful conditions is more likely to survive in high temperatures and we realized that these coral raised under duress survived when other coral around it didn’t,” he explains we put two differently treated corals side by side when we experienced another coral bleaching event This is when we proved that we succeeded in creating stress-resistant coral.” This has promising implications for the continued survival of coral in an ever-warming ocean but Kinjo warns against being too immediately optimistic “There are more people and institutions now who want to transplant this stronger coral globally,” he says “but when I look up initiatives happening now I realize people are doing things that I did 20 years ago I wish there was some kind of documentation of the newest advancement in coral transplanting that people can access and learn from my mistakes.” the conditions in the ocean are worsening at an alarmingly rapid rate and corals face threats on multiple fronts “Water pollution can be more serious than rising sea temperatures in some areas,” Kinjo says “Coral can revive from high water temperatures but if the water quality is bad at the same time The stress that agriculture adds to ocean waters is particularly impactful all the fertilizer and pesticides from land drain into the sea; it limits the ocean’s potential.” Kinjo is convinced that coral populations could be completely decimated in just three decades “It might be hard to believe that in 20 years something that awful could happen,” he notes If we think about how much coral we’ve lost in the past few decades it’s not hard to imagine that in 30 years all coral could be gone.” This would be a devastating loss not just to the seas but to human civilization as well Coral reefs are home to over 25% of marine life They also have a crucial environmental role acting as natural breakwaters to mitigate the impact of waves “If coral were to disappear from the world it means the entire ecology of the ocean has crumbled so we won’t have any access to the ocean’s resources,” Kinjo warns Despite the gravity of the current situation his outlook on coral survival is a little different from most people who work extensively with nature “I don’t think it’s possible to go back to the ocean from the past,” he proclaims nonchalantly “But I do believe we can create new technologies to plant coral where they’ve disappeared.” Instead of holding on to a fantasy of returning to some kind of prelapsarian sea — where oceanic ecosystems thrive in the way they used to before human contact — Kinjo is convinced we should take a more pragmatic approach “I think it’s okay to have man-made nature,” he states but humans have made so many things on Earth I think it’s natural for humans to create things that other creatures will live in We’ve already stolen so many homes; we shouldn’t get nervous about creating them.” Kinjo also emphasizes that things aren’t at all hopeless — if that were the case “No expert believed that we could get coral to spawn that they would grow to be resistant against warmer ocean temperatures Learn more about the efforts to rejuvenate the reefs of Okinawa at miraclecoral.org a new broth has made its debut promising to break the norm but still living up to local soba enthusiasts’ expectations you know that the broth is usually pork- or bonito fish flake-based Mijun soba features the usual Okinawa soba noodles a type of herring special to Yomitan Village opened in March of last year locals have been flocking to try the new flavor There are only a few locations where you can eat it including our place,” a Maruha staffer said which is described as soba with “sardine soup” at the restaurant tastes quite different from what one might normally have which is first boiled then dried before being made into the broth has a subtle flavor compared to the pork bone and bonito flake broth-based noodle bowls Mijun fish meat tops the bowl of soft and chewy noodles – a delicious accent I wasn’t expecting Those who would like to spice it up can use some extra powdered-mijun or a pickled artemisia herb called “hoocheebar” in Okinawa which adds some nice depth and extra salt to the broth The dish can be served hot or cold depending on your preference According to a report by the Yomitan Village’s tourism association a recipe for the broth was invented in an effort showcase their signature fish It took two years to come up with the right recipe and by the broth’s taste you can tell that their efforts paid off Traditionalists can still enjoy pork-based and bonito flake-based broth with their soba at Maruha The restaurant even offers a mixture of the two as the delicately “fishy” broth and the sweet pork base complement each other well While going into some of the island’s soba restaurants may seem daunting Maruha offers English buttons on the vending machine used to order your bowl of noodles The joint’s interior is cozy and their giant shisa dog on the exterior of the building serves as an inviting greeter Maruha’s menu offerings make for a great first (or 500th) bowl of soba whether its broth is pork Yomitan Village GPS Coordinates: N 26.404498 Attire: casual * Mijun soba is 800 yen for medium * Customers can pick mijun or tonkotsu broth or a mixture of the two for each noodle * Free parking is available about 50 yards away (N 26.403486 is the host municipality of Torii Station and known as the most populated village in Japan It has historical significance as it saw the initial invasion during the Battle of Okinawa the village has other signature products such as beni-imo purple sweet potatoes If you’re looking to splurge on a fantastic meal in a fun atmosphere for that special night out then Steak House Jam in the Onna-son tourist district north of Yomitan should be on your shortlist this multi-structure Polynesian theme-park-like teppanyaki restaurant is the ideal place for that special birthday bash The restaurant specializes in steak and fresh seafood and professional teppanyaki chefs will dazzle you with their skills as they prepare and serve your meal right in front of you The menu offers various combinations of meat and seafood salad and your choice of rice or “udon” noodles Sirloin steak (about 7 ounces) starts from 3,300 yen ($ 27.25) and a seafood combo of giant prawns But Manager Keigo Imai insists that doesn’t stop fans from coming back over and over for Steak House Jam’s quality food and hospitality 1 favorite is the sirloin ‘Ishigaki’ beef steak,” he says Selling here for the equivalent of about $78 per 7-ounce cut this beef is raised on the remote island of the same name and prized for its rare texture and flavor “We also have a variety of fresh seafood and large lobsters that are very popular,” Imai adds “Customers really enjoy watching their meals cooked right in front of them And many of our foreign customers are fond of our garlic rice as a side dish.” The restaurant is divided into four separate main teppanyaki dining areas that seat a total of 65 people and a lounge area that seats an additional 38 The posh Polynesian-style décor includes fun features like the Tiki Bar and seafaring kitsch including a ceiling-suspended replica of a giant octopus a building as well as experience all their own The ladies room offers a dazzling fish-tank display guaranteed to keep male patrons waiting even longer wait staff escort you to the free-dessert area in the lounge where a variety of sherbet is currently on offer The tropical cocktail selections at the Tiki Bar are also perfect for special occasions milk and “awamori,” Okinawa’s signature spirits One more reason to have your next birthday bash at Steak House Jam is complimentary champagne or tropical juice for the visiting birthday boy or girl A separate party-room facility currently under construction also will soon provide even more incentive Forgot to bring the dinner-guest of honor a gift gift shop near the main restaurant for Okinawan souvenirs It offers a large selection of seashell goods Getting to Steak House Jam is easy and there’s plenty of parking available once you get there Just head north on Route 58 from Yomitan for about 15 minutes and look for the 10-foot-tall Polynesian-style Moai head statue at the entrance Then get ready for a memorable dining experience Hours: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m.; 5 p.m.-12 a.m (Last order: 10:30 p.m.) Closed for lunch Tuesday-Wednesday Public Relations Office, Government of Japan Home > Highlighting JAPAN > Highlighting Japan August 2016 > Traditional Crafts The Tsuboya-yaki pottery production methods of Okinawa Prefecture have remained unchanged since their introduction 400 years ago No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form Japanese version Japanese version Japanese version Masakazu Yamada is a ceramics artist who represents Okinawa His works are highly praised both in Japan and overseas His ceramics are characterized by dynamic brushwork and vivid colors but if you put black ink next to the traditional indigo You don’t have to try to do something modern – modernism and tradition are like two sides of the same coin” Nakata was led to the workshop.In most cases Okinawan pottery does not go through biscuit firing and there were many ”raw” ceramics lined up in the workshop ceramics go through biscuit firing to prevent cracking and deformation water in the ceramic may cause cracks or breakage Yamada showed us how to use the potter’s wheel that is to is to use the palm of your hand when shaping in an upward direction and the base of the thumb when making shapes downward The clay quickly changed its shape and a teacup was made in the blink of an eye The symbol of Yomitan Pottery Village is the climbing kiln It consists of a number of kilns connected to each other the flame from the lowest kiln rises to the higher ones and many ceramics can be baked at the same time It is a rule to make a kiln facing the north so that the sunlight can dry the ceramics in the morning and the westering sun in the afternoon with 4 people taking turns to watch over it you have to control it to bring out the same texture that comes out naturally in a climbing kiln.” Japanese version Two rare deep-sea oarfish caught in fixed nets off Toya port on the southwest side of Okinawa stunned the local fishing community last month for simply being alive netted about 2.5 km away from the coast on Jan according to the village of Yomitan's fisheries cooperative association.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Local fishermen later ate part of one of them With its perpetual flame for peace and slabs of granite inscribed with the names of the more than 241,000 people who died on all sides during the Battle of Okinawa the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Mabuni is the island's most famous monument — but also one of its most controversial Critics argue that it whitewashes responsibility for the war by listing the innocent dead alongside the soldiers who killed them; moreover prefectural officials altered displays at the park's museum in 1999 to downplay atrocities committed against islanders by the Japanese military Fortunately for visitors looking for alternative — and less sanitized — memorials there are more than 400 other monuments to war and peace on Okinawa Many of these pull no punches in chronicling civilians' suffering during World War II — as well as cataloguing postwar injustices committed by the U.S authorities and islanders' ongoing dedication to nonviolent civil disobedience.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The best place to start a tour of these lesser-known museums is the House of Nuchi du Takara on Iejima Island the birthplace of Okinawa's peace movement visitors are confronted with a small set of bloodstained clothes and the description that they belonged to an Okinawan child stabbed by Japanese troops to keep it quiet when U.S Other displays record the postwar "bayonets and bulldozers" period when the Pentagon violently seized farmers' land to turn the island into a bombing range Exhibits include photographs of islanders' homes razed by U.S troops and several dummy nuclear bombs dropped on the island during Cold War training drills Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may sacrifice barriers protecting Japan's beef and wheat farmers to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade accord a former government adviser on farm policy said Abe's administration will fight to maintain tariffs on rice an agricultural science professor at Nagoya University who chaired the Cabinet's food security advisory panel in 2007 during Abe's first term as leader.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); "Japan may be able to protect about 5 percent of its total goods in the TPP negotiations," Shogenji said Tuesday sugar is vital to Okinawa and milk is what our kids drink." Want to get your PADI certificate and explore some of the most beautiful and mysterious diving sites in Asia We ask a local instructor to reveal his pick of world-class spots for coral and fish spotting in Okinawa After returning from two separate year-long stints working as a dive instructor in the Maldives and northern Australia Nao was compelled to return to Okinawa as he felt it was his obligation to share the secrets of his birth country’s thriving underwater existence (Japanese and English) talking aquatic encyclopedia His presence on the island is significant for foreign tourists who wish to dive as he is one of a handful of instructors who are capable of adequately delivering tours and PADI open-water dive certification courses in English Given the potential dangers of scuba diving it’s one activity that calls for more than Eigo chotto (a little English) he reveals his favorite dive sites in Okinawa along with the types of creatures you’ll be getting up close and personal with For more information about Dive Center Isles, visit www.isles-dc.com This article appears in the August 2016 issue of Tokyo Weekender magazine Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo While Okinawa is one of the favourite destinations for Tokyoites in search of sun beaches and tropical relaxation year-round most tourists either head to one of the opulent but isolated resort facilities in the north of the island the busy but somewhat uninspiring prefectural capital For someone on a weekend run from the daily grind neither of these two options can be called ideal as Naha is easily seen in a day and the resorts are mainly designed for extended vacations if you're looking for something in between the extremes and don't mind a little independent exploring we recommend staying in or around the town of Chatan an attractive spot far enough from the bustle of Naha that still offers plenty of things to do for the active traveller Chatan is perhaps best known for the American Village a multiplex cinema and a huge Ferris wheel but it's the still relatively underdeveloped and quiet coastline that really stands out here In addition to the small but pleasant Sunset Beach the coast boasts a newly constructed marina and several lush parks renowned as a mecca for divers and surfers lies just a few minutes' walk north of the town's centre Famed for the coral reefs hidden in plain sight right by its shores Sunabe is also where you'll find cool little cafés Flights from Tokyo to Naha take less than two and a half hours and Chatan is roughly a 45-minute drive from the airport As public transport outside of Naha is scarce to say the least with constant demand ensuring affordable prices Even if you're not staying at the Hilton Chatan the hotel's All Day Dining restaurant which offers superb breakfast (¥3,200) and lunch (¥2,200/¥2,400) buffets in a calm maritime atmosphere sushi and locally grown pork are complemented by a wide range of fresh veg and fruit and the dessert table is sure to get sweets-lovers' juices flowing For dinner, consider the Hilton's Corrente, where the Italian prix fixe courses, made with locally sourced ingredients, start from a very reasonable ¥4,500. Alternatively, the American Village is packed with cheap eateries – try Kijimuna's (C Bldg a local favourite consisting of a creamy omelet slapped over spicy ground beef the Yomitan and Minatogawa areas also offer plenty of restaurants and cafés worth checking out ANA and Skymark operate multiple direct flights from Haneda Airport to Naha Airport every day Consider booking your hotel together with the flights Prices vary significantly based on season and departure time but can go as low as ¥10,000 for a weekend round-trip As mentioned above, renting a car on Okinawa is essential for the sake of convenience. Two-day weekend rates start from around ¥15,000 at Naha Airport – try Times or Nippon for good value and service in English Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us