アンテナ的国際ビジネス

　　　Tomigusuku City is conveniently located near Naha Airport and is the fastest growing city in Japan.　As part of our International Business Support Project for Tomigusuku City, we recently created a bilingual website to serve the foreigners who are planning to visit Okinawa, as well as those who already live here. As you may already know, Okinawa is a beautiful place and well worth a visit, but there is a severe lack of information in English and Chinese which makes it difficult to plan a trip.
　　　
　　　The purpose of tomigusuku-guide.com is to provide practical information about Okinawa in both English and Chinese. Categories include dining, shopping, events, accomodation, what to do, and travel tools. My goal is to break down the language barriers that exist in Okinawa, so that those who live in or are planning to visit Okinawa can go out and venture to places they have yet to discover!

　　　It takes a lot of work as far as trial and error in developing the website, going out to interview different shops and attractions, translating the information, and then uploading it to the site, so bear with me. You will see a gradual increase in new content in the coming months!
Tomigusuku Guide

To zoom, click view on your browser and go to zoom.

To zoom, click view on your browser and go to zoom.

To zoom, click view on your browser and go to zoom.

To zoom, click view on your browser and go to zoom.

To zoom, click view on your browser and go to zoom.

To zoom, click view on your browser and go to zoom.

This issue features UJIZOME TOMIGUSUKU SPECIAL ORIGINAL BRAND OKINAWA located in Tomigusuku City. The folks at UJIZOME TOMIGUSUKU SPECIAL ORIGINAL BRAND OKINAWA make various types of dyed products by using thread and cloth dyed with the leaves and the flower ears of uji (sugar cane) that have grown strong by soaking in the Okinawa sun.

THE PROCESSING PLANT

This is the weaving process where sugar cane dyed thread is fed through a now rare weaving machine in Okinawa. This is tedious work; a delicate craftsmanship by women!　(left)

This is the stencil dyeing process where a piece of cloth is being dyed directly. (right)

There are 23 members of UJIZOME TOMIGUSUKU SPECIAL ORIGINAL BRAND OKINAWA. During the sweltering heat of summer and the shivery cold of winter, they stand before a calderon and continue to dye with sugar cane, diligently putting in the time and effort into making each product.

Directions: Google Map

Event Information
Ryubo: Ryubo Hall (Naha City)
UJIZOME TOMIGUSUKU SPECIAL ORIGINAL BRAND OKINAWA EXHIBIT
March 30, 2011 – April 4, 2011

Washita Shop: Ginza (Tokyo)
February 23, 2011 – March 15, 2011

Ikebukuro Tobu Department Store Traditional Crafts Exhibit 2011 (Tokyo)
February 24, 2011 – March 1, 2011

Maruzen: Nihonbashi
April 28, 2011 – May 12, 2011

This week’s news is about a shop in Tomigusuku City called Kadii Manii. Kadii Manii is an interesting name which originates from the Okinawan phrase “kadi maani”. It means, “try it,” but since it is an imperative statement, the owner decided to make it sound English and changed it to “Kadii Manii.” (I guess it sounds English to Japanese ears...haha!)

Princess Mango
This is Princess Mango, which won the grand prize at the 13th Arin Kurin Market Chamber of Commerce Special Products Fair sponsored by Okinawa Prefecture Chamber of Commerce! You won’t be misled by its elegant appearance which makes you imagine it being savory. It could be served to a “princess!”
Princess Mango is the result of a year of trial and error by the owner of Kadii Manii, Masayoshi Kinjo, in his effort to make this culinary work of art.　It has a fashionable package, so it’s popular as a gift.

There are many other recommended products. This is called “Cheese Cup.” (right)
This is a fluffy cheese cake that has the texture of soufflé, and the cheese dissolves inside your mouth. It’s popular among ladies.

Directions: Google Map

Madan Bridge in Tomigusuku City was built by King Shoshin during the Ryukyu Kingdom Era to protect Shuri Castle and Naha Port and was important for logistics. It was originally a wooden bridge, but it was rebuilt as a stone bridge in 1707. It is said to have been a very beautiful bridge, but during World War II, it was destroyed by the Japanese military and rebuilt as a concrete bridge by the American military. In 1996, a portion of the bride that escaped damage during WWII was excavated and restored near the present day bridge.

The Legend of Madan Bridge

There was a lot of difficulties during the restoration of the bridge from wood to stone. Every time there was heavy rain it crumbled. Then came a “kaminchu,” women in charge of spiritual affairs, who said that if human sacrifice was carried out the bride would escape flood damage. The person to be sacrificed had to be someone born on the year of the rat and with a “nanamute” hairstyle, but no one with this description was found. It turned out that the kaminchu who told them of the human sacrifice fit the description and was therefore buried alive. The kaminchu had a beautiful daughter, but because her mother died due to what she said, the daughter dared not speak another word.

Witness dragon boat racing on Kokuba River where it first began in Okinawa while sampling all the delicious food and drinks that Okinawa has to offer! This is a great opportunity for you to experience local culture and mingle with the local people. It will be an event to remember



Date: (Sun) October 24, 2010 (Okinawa Products Festival will be held at the same time)
Time:Opening Ceremony 12:30　　Race 1pm to 5pm. (times are subject to change depending on river condition)
Place: Naha City, Kokuba River along Onoyama Park (from the bridge in from of Tsubogawa Monorail Station to the bridge on Highway 58)
*In case of bad weather the event will be postponed to the following Sunday, October 31.
Sponsor: Tomigusuku Ryusen Association
Co-sponsor: Tomishiro City Area Employment Promotion Association

Dragon boat racing is very popular in Okinawa, but have you ever wondered where it originated? In 1393, the nephew of a Ryukyu king, Wan-ouso, went to study at Imperial University in Nanking, China. During his stay, he saw dragon boats racing on a river and was deeply moved. After returning to Okinawa, he immediately built a castle near the waters of Naha, moved there, and named it Tomigusuku. Then, he built a dragon boat using Chinese architecture, and went for a ride on Manko River. This marked the birth of dragon boats in Okinawa. Dragon boat racing is a sacred event that is held to pray for good harvest and peace.

I was fortunate enough to be given a tour of an awamori distillery in Tomigusuku City. I was shown how awamori is made. What sets this distillery apart from most other awamori distilleries is the fact that they make their own pottery (using local soil) for bottling. You can have bottles custom made with your name, the date, and so forth written on it. This would be an ideal souvenir to commemorate your stay in Okinawa! http://www.chuko-awamori.com/

If you ever get stressed out and want to get away from the city, I recommend visiting Senaga Island. Senaga Island is a small island located in Tomigusuku City just south of Naha Airport. Many people go wind surfing there, BBQ, and even watch the planes fly over their heads as they land at Naha Airport. I personally enjoy watching the planes at night because it literally looks as though you could jump up and touch them. It also has a batting cage and arcade. If you’re interested in more cultural things, there is a store that sells “ujizome” products. These are products such as shirts and bags dyed with the locally grown sugarcane.

Tomigusku City has a large shopping area with the Ashibinaa Outlet Mall, Tomiton, Yamada Denki, and Toda Books. However, if you’re more of an outdoor person, Tomigusuku can accommodate you as well. Toyosaki Beach is a new beach that opened this May and is one of the largest beaches in Okinawa measuring 700 meters long. It has showers, BBQ facilities, and even basketball courts. It’s not crowded like many of the beach resorts in the central and northern areas. At night it’s an ideal place to view the stars away from the city lights.

Oyaji LoveRock Festival
5th Anniversary

"Oyaji" means men in their late thirties and up. This is a festival in which many amateur "oyaji" bands let it all hang out on stage They will play folk and classical rock, for example, songs from The Beatles. Come and enjoy the music and feel the beach vibe!

Where? Toyosaki Beach Tomigusuku City

When? September 25th and 26th (Sat & Sun) starting at 1pm

How much? 1 day ticket: ￥2,000 2 day ticket: ￥3,000 Free for high school students and below

Special Note: In case of bad weather, it will be held the following weekend.