Okinawa Hai!

CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS On a recent rainy weekend we decided to go for a drive to the southern portion of the island.  We went to the usual places; Cape Kyan, Ryukyu Glass Factory, etc., but then we noticed another silly photo-op of those plywood character cut-outs you can look like a geek in.  Me, [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH PHILLIPS Stationary, kitchen supplies, educational toys, purses, seasonal decorations, health & beauty supplies. Tokyu Hands has them all (and more)! Tokyu Hands is located in one of the newest San-A buildings to open: San A Convention City in Ginowan. It is on the 1st floor and takes up a large portion of [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS Urasoe Art Building Want to see some of the most amazing cultural treasures of the Ryukyu kingdom? Head on over to the Urasoe Art Museum. This museum mainly focuses on laquerware and the cultural exchanges with neighboring countries that heavily influenced the development of Ryukyuan laquerware. There are both temporary and [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY ZENKEWICH Washi Box Washi Collage On a Japanese craft blog I read, Hello Sandwich, the Australian writer, editor and designer dedicates a lot of time to talking about washi tape. It’s something I had only seen in passing on sites like Etsy and Pinterest, and seeing what Ebony Bizys at Hello Sandwich [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS Tsuboya Vill Map Tsuboya Vill Street After visiting the Tsuboya Pottery Museum, don’t miss taking a walk down Yachimun Alley. Plan on spending at least an hour discovering adorable little shops, cafes, and watch skilled artisans work their creations. You can even create some pottery of your own! Naha’s Tsuboya District [...]

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Tsuboya Museum Front CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS Naha’s Tsuboya District has been the center of Okinawan pottery since 1682, but they say the earthenware first began being made about 6,600 years ago. The most famous Okinawan pottery is tsuboya-yaki, and it is still being made after being passed down from generation to generation. These are [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY AMY MADDOCKS Ryukyu Glass Photo Op Beautiful, vibrant, enjoyable, eye-pleasing, engaging fun, are just a few words to describe the experiences awaiting you at the largest glass factory in Okinawa, otherwise known as Ryukyu Glass Craft Village. I have been to a few glass factories on the island, and as much as I [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES Bashofu Exterior While on a weekend trip to Okuma, we decided to look for places off the beaten path. We came across the Bashofu Weaving Factory on a rainy day and I am so glad we found this place. When we got out of the car, we found a sign which [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY CLAIRE BRAY-COLLINS I’m a sucker for a good adventure. Heck! I’m a sucker for a good old fashioned tourist trap. I don’t mind the kitsch, the crowds or even a few re-enactors meandering about in old-timey garb offering peace-sign-poses for a gaggle of picture-snapping foreigners. My thought is: “Hey, if it’s new to [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES Wood Crafts Bldg While driving home from Okuma, we came across a shop that boasted of hand-carved trinkets, toys and other wooden things. Wooden trains, cars and puzzles, benches, clocks, platters, and pieces of art. There was a room for kids to play while parents shopped. In addition, they had a table [...]

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