Just like “hello” in English, in Okinawa men will greet you with “Haisai,” and women will say, “Haitai”, regardless of the hour. The original Okinawan language, Shimakutuba, was once banned because Okinawan people had to use standard Japanese after Okinawa was merged into Japan. Therefore, the use of the native Okinawan language was on the decline. But in 2006 the Okinawa Prefectural Government proclaimed September 18 as “Shimakutuba-no Hi” (Island Languages Day) recognizing five Okinawan langua

In the Okinawan language, there is a concept called “Yuimaru,” which means “the circle of the people” or "spirit of cooperation". This concept describes how Okinawans take care of their neighbors to ensure we all feel connected and valued. Our military community also embodies this life style in the unique ways we support our Soldiers and families to stay ready and resilient. To help PCSing children find their "Yuimaru" and feel welcomed in their new community, schools and youth/teen centers offe

Unique to Okinawa and often referred to as the Ryukyuan cuisine, traditional Okinawan food culture embraces its ingredients, cooking methods, customs, and various other aspects of local life. At its root lie the appreciations toward the climate and natural resources of the islands, the spirit of treasuring the ties and bonds within the family, relatives, and community, the influences from both Japan and China, and other countries. You can enjoy the diverseness of Okinawan food culture when you v

These are some of the foods you MUST EAT on your next trip to Okinawa, Japan. Watch the full video here: https://goo.gl/YtwJhd | TabiEats