2021.09.02
After the rainy season, Okinawa is a midsummer day every day. And typhoon.
Although Typhoon No. 6 the other day escaped the direct hit to the main island of Okinawa, Miyako and Yaeyama in the Toshima Islands became a storm area. The speed of this typhoon is so slow (the speed I saw in the news was 9km/h), so the effects of rain and wind continued for 3-4 days.
In such a typhoon, I also made a discovery.
It drains very well even though it has been raining so heavily. In my area, for example, there was no flood of water from the gutters of the road.
It’s raining and in a few hours (possibly in a shorter amount of time) the puddles are gone. This is probably due to the “Ryukyu limestone”, which is a ground component of Okinawa that I have introduced before.
This time, we would like to introduce “Yachimun no Sato” in “Yomitan Village” in the central part of the main island of Okinawa. Yachimun craftsmen were creating villages so that they could be attracted to “something”.
The Okinawan pronunciation of pottery is “yachimun”.
Its history is old and dates back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
In 1682, Sho Tei gathered potters in what is now called “Tsuboya” in Naha City in an attempt to develop the pottery industry.
It is the beginning of Yachimun’s origin “Tsuboya ware”.
When the Ryukyu Kingdom changed to Okinawa Prefecture, it became easier to obtain cheap pottery from outside the prefecture, so Tsuboya ware once followed a path of decline.
However, it comes back to life with the “Mingei Movement” advocated in 1926.
The Mingei movement advocates that “tools for daily life made by unnamed craftsmen are as beautiful as fine arts.”
However, once again, a headwind blows on the Tsuboya ware craftsman.
In the 1970s, the smoke produced when baking pottery was taken up as a pollution problem.
Craftsmen lose “something”.
There is a kiln called “Nobori Gama” that burns pottery.
It is said that it can cause heat convection and evenly bake pottery.
Yomitan Village, which was promoting the Bunkamura concept, came up with the idea and recommended the craftsmen to build a climbing kiln.
The craftsmen who sought this kiln began to move their base to Yomitan Village.
Eventually, it became a village where many workshops and stores gathered, and it became known as “Yachimun no Sato”.
“I want you to enjoy the beauty of Yachimun and the feel that fits in your hand as a daily item.”
It seemed that the simple but passionate feelings of such craftsmen were conveyed.
Currently, some craftsmen are moving their workshops further north to Ogimi Village in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. We will continue to convey “Yachimun” while flexibly responding to the times.
I would like to introduce two from the gallery of the craftsmen who left a strong impression on me in Yachimun no Sato.
The first is “Tsunehide Kobo”.
The “Utsuwaya”, which is adjacent to the workshop, is a small gallery, but there are many colorful and variously shaped Yachimun.
Among them, the unique “dotting” and “waxing … technique of hiding the pattern with melted wax” were modern and very impressive.
This is the kiln of the late Jiro Kinjo, who moved his workshop to Yomitan Village during the above-mentioned pollution problem and became the first living national treasure in Okinawa.
Currently, his grandson Kanako Fujioka has a workshop called “Fuji”.
I stood still for a while in the bright and powerful blue color.
And while I was watching a lot of Yachimun in Yachimun no Sato, I felt happy for some reason.
I’m sure it was because I felt the warmth in the “tools of everyday life.”
Finally, I would like to introduce the “Nippon Soba” shop.
Speaking of Okinawa, it is “Okinawa soba (Soki soba)”, but there are times when you are struck by the desire to eat “Japanese soba”.
And here is where I arrived.
This is “Seiya Japanese Soba Studio”.
The owner was a woman, and she was from Aizu, Fukushima prefecture, so she was from Tohoku, the same as me.
Many of our customers are from the mainland (Nachi … used to refer to Japan other than Okinawa).
Like me, people who “I love Okinawa, of course, but sometimes want to eat Japanese soba asexually” will come to visit.
As you can see, I personally love it.
Is it because you can feel the warmth of life while being quiet?
See you next time.
The art “Fringed orchid” created by the natural world blooms at Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden
Okuirase Keiryu Hotel Pave the way to worship by shoveling snow! “Winter Lake Towada Good Luck Tour”
[Osaka-Kansai Expo]KINTETSU Official Store at Expo ‘2025 Osaka-Kansai, West Gate Store
“Karatsu Kunchi”, a festival visited by about 500,000 people every year
Special experience at Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield and elegant hotel stay plan “Exclusive Winter Stay”
“Oedo Onsen Monogatari Saikaibashi Corazon Hotel” NEW OPEN in Nagasaki
【Kai Yufuin】A Moment of Craftsmanship: Encounter the “Phantom Material” Shichitōi Rush, Preserved by Just Seven Artisans ~ Original Bag Making Experience ~
Oita
[Pottery × Clay Pot Rice and Japanese Sake]Discover a new kind of pottery wheel experience at a hidden gem in Oshiage, Tokyo
Tokyo
Get to know the fascination of tiger bamboo at Expo ’70 Osaka! Bamboo and Tiger craftsmen hold flower basket workshops.
Osaka
Fukuoka Tenjin Tsutaya opens in ONE FUKUOKA BLDG., a new symbol of Fukuoka.
Fukuoka
[VMG HOTELS & UNIQUE VENUES] Experience activities incorporating brewing and fermentation culture from the Sawara merchant town hotel NIPPONIA in Chiba
Chiba
The Frozen Earth Table: A Culinary Experience Tour on the Frozen Surface of Lake Matsubara
2025.12.12
【Tsugaru】Enjoy Oma tuna and local sake in a snow hut at the ‘Tsugaru Nanayuki Kamakura Apero’ – held exclusively in February
2025.12.10
Winter Cherry Blossom Illuminations: Enjoy cherry blossoms in winter at Hirosaki Park, Aomori Prefecture
2025.12.08
A new way to enjoy kuzumochi: ‘Kuzumochi: A Winter Comparison of Refinement – Yuzu Fragrance’ Available from Monday, 1 December 2025
2025.12.05
Nagasaki Speciality Sweets Series New crispy-textured sweet offering the flavour of Castella: ‘Nagasaki Castella Pie Sandwich’ now available
2025.12.03
【Kai Yufuin】A Moment of Craftsmanship: Encounter the “Phantom Material” Shichitōi Rush, Preserved by Just Seven Artisans ~ Original Bag Making Experience ~
2025.12.01
Aomori
Culture
Event
The hot spring inn Kai Tsugaru, located in Ōwani Onsen, Aomori Prefecture, will once again host its Tsugaru Nanayuki Kamakura Aperitif event this February, where guests can enjoy Oma tuna and local sake in a traditional snow hut.
Aomori
Event
SAKURA
Hirosaki Park hosts the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival annually from late April to early May. Renowned as one of Japan’s three great night-time cherry blossom views and a sight to behold before you die, this popular spot attracts visitors from around the world to witness the simultaneous blooming of approximately 2,600 cherry trees of 50 varieties. To coincide with the peak snow season, the “Winter Sakura Illumination” will be held from Monday, 1st December 2025 to Saturday, 28th February 2026.
Kumamoto
JP info
Discover newly opened facilities and refurbished establishments in and around Kurokawa Onsen (Minamioguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture). Each spot lies within a 5-10 minute drive from Kurokawa Onsen town, making them easy to visit between hot spring hopping. From new ventures by long-established inns to cafés nestled in lush satoyama landscapes and restaurants dedicated to local ingredients, these spots brim with diverse appeal. Explore them as fresh ways to enjoy Kurokawa Onsen.
Tochigi
JP info
From October 2025, we shall commence operations of the high-grade chartered coach ‘SPACIA X NIKKO CRUISER’ as a new secondary transport service within the Nikko area. To commemorate the launch, Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd. has planned the ‘SPACIA X NIKKO CRUISER Early Morning Autumn Foliage Viewing Journey’, which will go on sale from Friday, 12 September 2025.
Countrywide
Event
“To Return Alive, To Bring Others Home Alive”
Opening nationwide on August 15, 2025—marking eighty years since the end of World War II—YUKIKAZE is a feature film based on the true story of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) destroyer Yukikaze, a vessel that rescued countless lives amid the horrors of war. A press screening was held in advance at the Sony Pictures screening room.
The destroyer Yukikaze, which served throughout the Pacific War, was renowned for rescuing numerous sailors thrown into the sea during fierce naval battles, surviving to the end of the war virtually unscathed. It earned the legendary moniker “the lucky ship.” This film brings to life the ship’s heroic journey, alongside the lives of those who persevered through one of the most turbulent eras in modern history.
Leading the cast is Yutaka Takenouchi as Captain Kazutoshi Terasawa—a fictional amalgamation inspired by the real-life captains of Yukikaze. Hiroshi Tamaki portrays Petty Officer First Class Kohei Hayase. Supporting roles are delivered by an ensemble of acclaimed actors including Daiken Okudaira, Rena Tanaka, Kanji Ishimaru, and Toru Masuoka. Kiichi Nakai delivers a commanding performance as Vice Admiral Seiichi Itō, the Second Fleet Commander of the IJN who met his fate aboard the battleship Yamato.
In today’s world, once again shaken by division and violence, YUKIKAZE poses an urgent question to those of us living in the peace that others fought to protect: Are we once again treading the path of past mistakes? As collective memory of the war fades, this film becomes ever more vital—a call to reflect on the true value of peace.
Fukuoka
Event
Restaurant
The Takamiya Teien Saryo will hold its popular seasonal event “Summer Lights” from 18 July (Fri) to 11 August (Mon) 2025.A special dinner course, prepared exclusively for Summer Lights, featuring an abundance of seasonal fish and summer vegetables to bring out the coolness of summer. The meal finishes with shaved ice with matcha green tea, a summery treat. Please enjoy the dishes that gently add coolness to your summer evening in a relaxed atmosphere.
