Discoveries from around the archipelago
If you're visiting Shuri Castle in Naha, the capital city of Okinawa, I highly recommend you detour just five minute's to the west to the fantastic hands-on arts center of Shuri Ryusen. Shuri Ryusen focuses on the traditional Okinawan art of bingata. I wrote a little bit about bingata itself in a Crash Course the... Continue Reading →
A few of you have mentioned to me in the comments or elsewhere that you were surprised to hear that 1) I actually lived for quite a while in Okinawa and 2) I didn't really like it all that much at the time. True, and true. I'm certainly much happier here in Kyushu, without the... Continue Reading →
Bear with my continued Okinawa obsession this week. I really don't know where it's coming from. It's enough to even make me trot off to the grocery store for some goya (bitter gourd) to make champuru (stir fry). If you've ever tasted goya, you know just how serious this obsession is becoming. 🙂 Anyway, in trying to... Continue Reading →
When I worked as a tour guide on Okinawa, I spent a lot of time wandering Kokusai Street, the main thoroughfare in the city of Naha. At times kitchsy, at times beachy, and an eclectic mix of Japanese, American and Pacific island culture, a wander along Okinawa's "Miracle Mile" is always an entertaining afternoon. Kokusai-dori,... Continue Reading →
