OZ (オズ) is an upcoming 4-piece rock band from Okinawa with a female lead vocalist. It’s a bit difficult to find their stuff on the Web since there’s another artist from Japan with the same name (go figure?) so here are links to their websites: Official Website, Record Label Website (Nayutawave Records, Universal Music Japan), … Continue reading
The Ryukyu Golden Kings captured the Western Conference’s regular-season title and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs on Saturday, clobbering the host Miyazaki Shining Suns 113-82. Ryukyu (33-16) holds a two-game lead over the second-place Osaka Evessa entering the final day of the regular season. (Via The Japan Times Online.)
“Ryujin Mabuyer (琉神マブヤー)” is a Tokusatsu TV series made in Okinawa. The 13-episode series aired in 2008 from October 4th to December 27th. The series will be made into a movie titled, Ryuujin Mabuyaa THE MOVIE Nanatsu no Mabui (琉神マブヤー ＴＨＥ ＭＯＶＩＥ 七つのマブイ),” and star Shintaro Yamada as Ryujin Mabuyer and ISSA (from DA PUMP) … Continue reading
Japan Update recently launched a new website that they bill as a guide to Okinawa called OkiStyle. So far, they only have information for housing in Okinawa so it’ll be exciting to see the other things they come up with for the site. OkiStyle Follow them on Twitter too: @japanupdate.
I came across this website by accident while reading the latest Japanese baseball news from Japan Times and of course, it was the name of the team that caught my eye: Ryukyu Golden Kings (琉球ゴールデンキングス), a professional basketball team. I think their logo is rather cool too and will surely be picking up a t-shirt … Continue reading
The film’s poster at Consolidated Theatres Pearlridge West 16. “Minami no Shima no Furimun” (also called “Furimun’s Paradise” or “Furimun in Okinawa“) is the 2009 directorial debut of comedian/actor Gori of the comedy duo Garage Sale. Gori, who also stars in the film as its main character Eisho (the furimun), also gets credit for writing … Continue reading
This is from a few months back but it’s still awesome nonetheless. Garage Sale make an appearance but perhaps the largest excitement was when special guest Namie Amuro walked the red carpet. The Okinawa International Movie Festival is an annual event that takes place at the ending of March. Lots of great videos like this … Continue reading
“Chibariyo” from The OGsband (from their YouTube channel) is really catchy. Here’s a short biography of the band via their MySpace Music page: We are 3 Americans that decided to make Okinawa our home. After playing in various cover bands here, we decided to join forces and start an original acoustic band. So far, so … Continue reading
Long a fan of HIFF (Hawaii International Film Festival), I’m happy to see a Spotlight on Okinawa for this year’s festival. Three films shot on location in Okinawa will be shown: “Gunjou (Cobalt Blue),” “Manatsu no Yo no Yume (A Midsummer’s Okinawan Dream)” and “Nada Sou Sou (Tears for You).” While the three films featured … Continue reading
WHAT IS IT? Come join us for Chimugukuru: A Celebration of the Heart, Soul and Spirit of Hawaii’s Okinawan Community (featuring storyteller Alton Chung) on Saturday, October 24th at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. 100% of proceeds from this celebration support the Hawaii United Okinawan Association and Ikuyu Madin (HUOA Capital Campaign). The event runs from … Continue reading
