Solemn New Year's Countdown - Mabuni, Fire and Peace bell Ceremony

The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum

This May, I had an opportunity to visit the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Park in which the Cornerstone of Peace has been established in order to inscribe all the war victims' names.  It is located on Mabuni, Itoman city which is known as the southern battle field of the battle of Okinawa (World War Ⅱ).

In the park, there is a museum called the Peace Memorial Museum, which gives a sobering overview of the lead up to the battle, the battle itself and the reconstruction of Okinawa after the war.

First, I walked through the museum to see the exhibition and took time to read the articles on the war. There are a variety of exhibitions which made me think about the Okinawan war history and my grandparents who experienced the war. The articles on the Okinawan emigrants to South Sea Islands remind me of my grandfather and his family who moved to Saipan during the war period in Okinawa.

One thing that I was impressed and loved about this museum is its structure, which leads visitors to a beautiful ocean view at the end of their exhibition.

When I reached the exit of the museum, the beautiful ocean view was appearing in front of me. On sunny days, it is amazing.

In this peace symbolic park, there is a solemn event hold at the end of each year. 

The ceremony called “Mabuni, Fire and Peace bell Ceremony” and will be held at the Peace Memorial Hall on site from New Year’s Eve (12/31) through New Year’s Day (1/1) 10:00 p.m.- 1:00 a.m.



The Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall located in the park. 



Every person who takes part in the ceremony will put up a torch for requiem of the war victims and pray for peace while listening to a peace bell rings.

If you are interested in the New Year’s countdown in a peaceful atmosphere, please check the Fire and Peace bell Ceremony at Mabuni, Itoman city.

Takako

ORION HAPPY PARK

The other day, I visited ORION HAPPY PARK, a brewery of Orion Beer. 

Have you ever tasted Orion Beer? 
It is locally brewed and the most popular beer in Okinawa. 

The factory is located in the northern part of Okinawa, Nago city.  And their company’s new facility (ORION HAPPY PARK) opened  in this past May, 2011. 
The park offers the fantastic attraction you should experience, which is a brewery tour!

Visitors can observe the process of making Orion Beer and learn about the beer.  It is very interesting.  And at the end of the tour, you can taste the fresh Orion Beer for FREE!  You can definitely enjoy the tour and tasting.

You can drink 2 glasses (300ml × 2) of fresh beer for FREE!

And the park has a restaurant “Yanbaru No Mori”, which means "Yanbaru Forest".

You can enjoy freshly brewed beer with superb dishes that uses local ingredients. Also there is a shop selling Orion's original goods and selected souvenirs.

Why don’t you visit ORION HAPPY PARK and experience the brewery tour when you tour around Okinawa?                                              

Takako

◆ Orion Beer Brewery tour (Free of charge)   

    Time required: Approx. 60 min. (Tour 40 min. & Tasting 20 min.)

    First tour: from 9:20-, Final tour: from 16:40-

   

    For the tour, you need reservation

    For reservation, call: 0980-54-4103

To find out more information, visit their web site:

http://www.orionbeer.co.jp/happypark/  (Japanese language only)

MAP:http://www.orionbeer.co.jp/happypark/access.html

Okinawan instrument - Sanshin

Do you know what this is?

It must be familiar to people who play Sanshin.

This is a musical note of Sanshin, written in kanji (Chinese character).

Sanshin is very popular and traditional musical instrument in Okinawa and I think everybody in Okinawa has experience to see, hear or play it.  And you can’t sing Okinawan folk songs without it.

When I was an elementary school student, there is a Sanshin club in my school.  which you can learn how to play Sanshin.  I like music, so I belonged to the club.

After class, I enjoy playing Sanshin with my teacher and friends.  It was fun!

For the club, my grandfather gave me the Sanshin that he’s been used for a long time.

It is old and it has a body covered with real snake skin.  When I saw it first, I remember that I was surprised.  It was little scared.

If you are interested in playing it, you can try it easily in Okinawa.  Some tourist facilities offer the classes that you can experience to playing it.

I think it is easy to play Sanshin, because it has only 3 strings!!!  Not like the guitar!  For beginners, remembering the finger positions, it is very helpful to put the stickers on the neck of Sanshin.  The stickers allow you to find the correct finger positions at a glance.  I always use them to play Sanshin.

It will be good experience and memory playing Sanshin in Okinawa.

Why don’t you play it when you visit Okinawa?

Takako 


my Sanshin



Sanshin plectrums -
put it on your index finger to play



"Fusa yubiwa (tassle ring)"- Okinawan Wedding Ring,

Hi! This is Naoko.  Sorry for my long absence.  Did you miss me???  \(*^o^*)\

Okinawa is one of the admired resort wedding destinations in Japan.  Many couples seeking a romantic but unique wedding ceremony choose Okinawa as the place to start thier new life together.  Beautiful blue and green gradation of sea water, sandy beach, tropical flowers, sea breeze, bright sunshine... all these things make the special day extraordinary.

If you want to look for a unique, truly Okinawan/Ryukyu ring, "Fusa yubiwa (tassle ring)" is the one.  In the old times, only Ryukyu royal families and higher aristocrats used the ring in their wedding ceremonies..  The ring has the following 7 different motifs with meanings:

(Clockwise)

Butterfly - God's messenger

Fish - so that you won't starve

Peach - perpetual youth and longevity

Pomegranate - Fertility

Fan - eve-stopping good luck

Leaf - so that you will have enough clothes

Flower - life full of beauty

The only artisan who makes this ring is Mr. Matayoshi of Kuganizeku Matayoshi.  You can buy the ring and other traditional Ryukyu silver accessories in his online shop @ http://kanzeiku.shop-pro.jp/

What does Okinawa Tourism Support Center do?

Okinawa is waiting for your visit!! Okinawa is completely different from the mainland Japan - the unique culture, great foods and even language is a lot different from the standard Japanese.

Come to explore and enjoy Okinawa!!.

We're also aiming for foreigners travelling in Okinawa.

Okinawa Tourism Support Center provide tourist facilities language support and giving useful tips to welcome forein tourists.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: kanko_e@kanko-shien.com