okinawa hai!

CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN Perhaps you’ve seen it while strolling along Kokusai Street, the large, colourful letters adorning the side of the building, screaming “OPA”!! But have you ventured inside this huge shopping mall, investigating the world of Japanese fashion and accessories? The window shopping is a cultural experience and it is an ideal place [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN SCHALK Koza Gate Pottery In my case, finding Koza Gate Apartment, a combined boutique and art gallery, could be best described as a happy accident. Earlier this summer, I had agreed to meet my friend and Japanese teacher there for a private lesson and good conversation. As with many storefronts in Okinawa, [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES Living in Okinawa, we’ve often read some awkward sounding phrases on shirts that made us go, “Huh!?” Sometimes it almost sounds like poetry in a way. Or sometimes, reading certain food descriptions on a menu made us wonder what really is in the food. Other times, we come across a store [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN I love shoes. Who’s with me? Before coming to Japan, I agonized over the shoe situation that would await me; I’d be in a county filled with the most adorable footwear, none of which would ever adorn my (average-sized, thank-you very much!) feet. Luckily, upon arriving, my obsessive worrying manifested itself [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK You probably know this story: your spouse comes home and informs you there’s a dinner.  Tomorrow.  And you must have a tea length dress.  Your mind starts racing.  Do you have the appropriate length dress?  Ahem, one in your current size?  And one that you can accessorize and tailor to fit [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK Last week on a drive up north to “see what we could see”, my friend and I spotted Ryukyu Tribes – with this artistically refined pig:   I am no longer fazed at seeing pigs in Okinawa: from the Puma sneaker brand styled Shisa shirts to the real skinned pig’s face [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY LARISSA    If you have ever taken 449 to get to Sachi’s Antique Store or Pizza In The Sky this building on your left will have caught your eye.  The treasures inside are equally as artsy and intriquing as the outer building.  The owner, Shiimada jiro, is an unassuming man who didn’t study [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY LARISSA Dear Shoppers – I am currently traveling in the states and I have been shopping in California, Nevada and Virginia.  I always forget how overwhelming it can be when you first arrive from Okinawa and reintroduce yourself to the “Land Of Many Choices”.  I have definately boosted the economy and will also [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY LARISSA One of my favorite stores in the states is White House/Black Market.  I loved it because shopping there was an experience – the clothes were fun to try on, the dressing rooms were fabulous, the service was great and I always received compliments on my purchases.  The store and the staff made [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY LARISSA Call it a purse, a tote, a hand-bag or a pocket book. Whatever you call it, it’s the accessory that we hold near and dear to our hearts! I even spent over an hour in the BX a few weeks back carrying around a purse and a laptop bag with the hope [...]

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