A hip guide to Okinawa. A trip that touches tradition, fashion, and nature.

From sightseeing spots where you can experience time-honored traditions to stores that are currently the focus of attention, we pick up cultural spots where you can feel the uniqueness of Okinawa. We hiply explore the unique culture from the perspective of both its deep history and current mood.

This is Okinawa! Just looking at the view of the sugarcane fields and the ocean will purify your body and soul. In the sugarcane fields of Yomitan Village stands a monument to the famous song "Sugarcane Field," also known as "Zawawa," and if you press the button on the music box, you will hear the gentle sound of a music box. The music box is a place for adults to simply savor the tranquil view and the emotional music. It was after the harvest, so we didn't see the sugarcane colony, but we took a leisurely stroll westward and arrived at a beach with calm waves. Of course, the water was clear and coral. I recommend spending some time relaxing and watching the beautiful sunset.

Takeuchi: I was healed by the scenery that made me feel from the bottom of my heart that I had come to Okinawa. There were also some secluded spots like private beaches, and it was cozy to spend time relaxing.

If you want to buy a souvenir for yourself in Okinawa, go to "ORRS". The shop sells clothing, accessories, and ceramics, and the owner, Yosuke Sato, is very particular about the items he puts into them. ...... The Panama hats are made by a craftsman in Ecuador, the wear is elegant and comfortable, and the ceramics are made by Mr. Sato himself. Incidentally, the store is attached to a hotel, which is limited to a single guest, and Mr. Sato positions ORRS as the hotel's souvenir store. If you buy one of these special items as a souvenir for yourself, it will make your trip even more vivid and memorable.

Daidoji Temple: A store with such craftsmanship is rare. The store does not do mail order, so if you visit the store in person and shop after listening to what they have to say, you will have more memories of your trip and attachment to the items.

Yachimun-no-sato" is located in a mountainous area rich in nature, where you can feel comfortable with the unfamiliar chirping of birds. In Yomitan Village, there are more than 50 kilns that produce yachimun, traditional pottery dating back to the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and 19 of them are located in this village. Each studio is surrounded by a huge climbing kiln with a red-tile roof, which is typical of Okinawa, and each of them has a wide range of unique designs from traditional patterns to modern styles, allowing visitors to examine a variety of Yachimun at once. Blue, navy, and brown are the representative glaze colors of "Yachimun," but it is interesting to note that the tone differs from one workshop to another. Come here to pick up a plate or mug you can use every day, or a shisa that will become a guardian deity for your home.

Takeuchi: Each studio has a different style of "Yachimun" and is worth seeing. The traditional climbing kiln was tasteful and the size of the kiln was impressive.

When we think of traditional Okinawan dyeing, the colorful "Bingata" comes to mind first, but in fact, indigo dyeing also has a long history. However, the cultivation of Ryukyu indigo, the plant used as a raw material, is delicate and difficult, and there are only a few dyeing workshops left. The "Ryukyu Ai Research Institute" is working to carry on and spread this important culture that is being lost. The dyeing process begins with the cultivation of indigo plants, which are soaked and dried many times in a fermented dye solution while measuring the water temperature and pH every day. The color has a depth that cannot be expressed with chemical dyes, and is slightly grayer than other indigo dyes. While undertaking dyeing for various brands, they also hold workshops where you can bring your own clothes to be dyed, so be sure to try it for yourself.

2BOY: I had no idea that dyeing is done by fermentation of microorganisms. I didn't know that dyeing is done by fermentation of microorganisms. Now that I am an adult, I find it interesting.

Unexpected encounters are the reason why you should visit a gallery when you travel. Located on a hilltop in Yomitan Village with a pleasant ocean view, this gallery is run by Kiyosaku, vocalist of "MONGOL800," and Tomo & C.O. (Tomo & C.O.). & Co. The shop is run by Aloha Blossom, a brand of aloha shirts created by Tomo & Co's designer Tomotaka Onozaki and Kiyosaku, the vocalist of MONGOL800. Tomotaka Onozaki, designer of Tomo & Co. and Aloha Blossom, a brand of aloha shirts owned by Tomo & Co. So far, world-renowned artists such as Shin Murayama and Julien Colombier have participated and released aloha shirts in collaboration with the brand. When we visited for the interview, the second anniversary party was being held by coincidence, and people from all over Okinawa gathered to enjoy the party. What's more, Kiyosaku-san was in charge of bartending, which was a luxury! If I ever go to Okinawa, I will definitely check out this spot to see if anything is being held there, and if I had to, I would even make a schedule to coincide with the party.