Japanese model Nozomi Sasaki posed in bikini for Visual Young Jump (extra web contents for Weekly Young Jump Magazine [Jp]) which was shot in Okinawa.
Okinawa Prefecture
The Boom – Shima Uta
An old Japanese-Okinawan song, Shima Uta (島唄, lit. Island Song) by Japanese band The Boom in 1992, written by vocalist Kazufumi Miyazawa. [Update] The MV has been deleted, couldn’t find another one; embedding a live performance video instead…
The song is about a message from an islander who was separated with his/her love one. It’s inspired by the Battle of Okinawa in World War II where over 100,000 civilians died (many because of starving and suicide instead of being in the line of fire).
The lyric itself is not as sad as the story behind, but a mix of sorrow and sweetness. Musical wise it’s a breakthrough with a fusion of traditional Okinawan music and modern pop elements; and it’s sung partly in Okinawan dialects.
Many artists have covered the song over the years, including a few in other languages.
Okinawa International Movie Festival (2010) red carpet
Red carpet video at the opening event of the 2010 Okinawa International Movie Festival. To be frank I can’t recognise most of the celebrities; the only one I know is Okinawa born pop star Namie Amuro (0:50-1:00)…
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Japan
The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, is the world’s second largest aquarium behind the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, USA. It’s one of the very few aquariums in the world that keep whale sharks in cavity.
Video by Canadian filmmaker Jon Rawlinson. Mesmerising, can watch this for hours.
Tsumabuki and Kitagawa – ANA Okinawan Commercial
A fun Japanese commercial for All Nippon Airways – starring actor Satoshi Tsumabuki and actress Keiko Kitagawa etc. – which introduces the tourist attractions in Okinawa Prefecture.