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The 2021 Okinawan tourist visitor totals trends up for the first time in 3 years, hitting 3.27 million visitors, a 26.7% increase over the previous year

The 2021 Okinawan tourist visitor totals trends up for the first time in 3 years, hitting 3.27 million visitors, a 26.7% increase over the previous year

April 26, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

The Okinawa Department of Culture, Tourism, and Sports announced the 2021 tourist visitor totals (April 2021 – March 2022) on April 26, reporting a 26.7% year-over-year increase (an increase of 690,700 people) for a total of 3.27 million visitors.

The is the first increase in visitors in three years.

While there are still lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as an absence of foreign tourists, the results show a trend...

 

Mozuku harvest begins in Miyakojima, yielding “thick, high quality seaweed, a prime result”

Mozuku harvest begins in Miyakojima, yielding “thick, high quality seaweed, a prime result”

January 20, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Shinji Sano

 

Miyakojima – The earliest mozuku harvest in Okinawa has begun in Miyakojima. On January 19 at Oura Fishing Port in Hirara, Miyakojima, fishermen unloaded basket after basket of glittering, dark green mozuku seaweed. Koji Kuriyama,...

“The Great Okinawa Trade Fair 2021,” one of Japan’s largest food industry events, took place for the first time in two years

“The Great Okinawa Trade Fair 2021,” one of Japan’s largest food industry events, took place for the first time in two years

November 25, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

One of Japan’s largest food industry expos, “The Great Okinawa Trade Fair 2021” (hosted by the event’s executive committee) was held November 25 at the Hotel Collective in Naha. For the first time the event implemented a hybrid model, with...

Large amounts of fish are killed after swallowing pumice stones from undersea volcanic eruption, 14 Okinawan fisheries reeling from the damage as Okinawa and Japan coordinate on removal

Large amounts of fish are killed after swallowing pumice stones from undersea volcanic eruption, 14 Okinawan fisheries reeling from the damage as Okinawa and Japan coordinate on removal

October 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Chie Tome

 

Due to an undersea volcanic eruption in the waters near the Ogasawara Islands creating a large amount of pumice stone, which is washing up on the beaches and in the harbors in Okinawa, it was learned by October 25 that 14 of the...

“SPAM Musubi,” originally from Okinawa, gains popularity throughout Japan, becomes best seller at Family Mart in August

“SPAM Musubi,” originally from Okinawa, gains popularity throughout Japan, becomes best seller at Family Mart in August

September 15, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Family Mart (Tokyo – Kensuke Hosomi, CEO) started selling a pork and egg musubi “SPAM Musubi – Tuna Mayonnaise” (248 yen, tax included) throughout Japan in August, and it has quickly overtaken staples such as their grilled salmon musubi...

Okinawa Products Enterprise Corporation imports technology from Taiwan to build plant factory in Tomigusuku, will grow organic produce

Okinawa Products Enterprise Corporation imports technology from Taiwan to build plant factory in Tomigusuku, will grow organic produce

 

September 7, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Wu Li Jun

Okinawa Products Enterprise Corporation (OPEC, Naha, Tomoaki Haneji, president) has imported farming technology from Taiwan, and are continuing on constructing a plant factory in Tomigusuku. They are planning on getting it operational...

“You must get tested before travelling to Okinawa,” declares Governor Tamaki, Naha airport to also provide antigen testing

“You must get tested before travelling to Okinawa,” declares Governor Tamaki, Naha airport to also provide antigen testing

July 22, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki announced at a press conference on July 21, just before the four-day holiday that is asking people travelling to and from Okinawa to get tested for COVID-19 before travelling.

Starting on July 22, Naha Airport will...

School trips to Okinawa decrease in 2021 by 34% compared to pre-COVID levels, down to 1,567 schools

School trips to Okinawa decrease in 2021 by 34% compared to pre-COVID levels, down to 1,567 schools

July 6, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Yuki Nakamura

 

In 2021, Okinawa again saw a trend of schools postponing or changing the destination of their school trips.

According to the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB), the number of schools planning to travel to Okinawa...

Okinawa chrysanthemums hit peak shipping period in lead up to Higan holiday, extra shipping flights also being scheduled

Okinawa chrysanthemums hit peak shipping period in lead up to Higan holiday, extra shipping flights also being scheduled

March 12, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

With the Japanese holiday Higan approaching in March, the busiest time of the year has come for shipping Okinawa-grown chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums, which are used to adorn graves and Buddhist shrines, has seen a relatively minor impact from...

Video – Bank of the Ryukyus to open main office, built during U.S. control of Okinawa, to the public prior to reconstruction

November 16, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

As part of the reconstruction of their headquarters in Kumoji, Naha, the Bank of the Ryukyus will be temporarily moving their main office and headquarters to the Naha Port Building in Higashimachi in December. The headquarters, which is scheduled...

Tourism EXPO Japan and ResorTech Okinawa draws in 24,080 people, executive committee notes the positive “impact of fusing in-person and online events”

Tourism EXPO Japan and ResorTech Okinawa draws in 24,080 people, executive committee notes the positive “impact of fusing in-person and online events”

November 3, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

The executive committee for “Tourism EXPO Japan, Travel Festival in Okinawa” (hosted by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA), the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)), announced on November...