Akita

Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Kakunodate: Explore samurai housing district

Learn more about samurais right outside of Akita at Kakunodate, a samurai housing district. The cherry tree-lined streets with traditional samurai houses will transport you to feudal Japan.
Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Travel
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Akita: Beautiful castle town packed with natural and cultural attractions

Located in the northern part of mainland of Japan and facing the Sea of Japan, Akita City is a four-hour drive from Misawa Air Base. The city is surrounded by rice fields and mountains and is known as one of the nation’s most important granary regions.
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Community News
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Did you know?: Weeping Virgin Mary of Akita

Located on a hill in Akita City, near Misawa Air Base, the Institute of the Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist houses a wooden statue of “Our Lady of Akita,” also known as the “Weeping Virgin Mary of Akita”. The wooden statue, carved by a Japanese sculptor 56 years ago, was observed weeping 101 times between 1975 and 1981.
Photos by Shoji Kudaka
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Mexican

Fun in the Sun is always better with Tacos

Located near Sunabe Seawall in Chatan Town, Tacos-ya is a small shop located on a backstreet. But what the taco joint lacks in size, it’s makes up in a generously-sized reputation that has made its way around the island.
Photo courtesy of Linya
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Ramen Linya near Camp Foster offers Kyoto traditional ramen

Japan, ramen is also popular down south.
Ramen Linya, near Camp Foster on Highway 58, is the place to go when you’re hankering for this popular dish.
Owner Ryo Kanai takes his task one step further by bringing something different to Okinawa: He specializes in Kyoto-style ramen – which uses chicken-based broth. 
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Tsumami highlights Japan's bar food culture

Ever since “washoku,” or traditional Japanese food, was designated an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2013, popular dishes and liquors like sushi, tempura, sukiyaki, sake, shochu and awamori— have been garnering a lot of international attention.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Thai

Get a spice of life at Jai Thai on Okinawa

Spicy Asian food always seems to hit the spot when it’s hot outside. Your sweat and the taste of hot peppers go well together.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Try out this traditional Okinawan tea, Bukubuku Cha!

Finding establishments in Japan that serve traditional Japanese or Chinese tea is an easy task. However, trying to find a cup of traditional Okinawan tea, Bukubuku Cha, can be difficult, even on Okinawa. And if you saw a cup of Bukubuku Cha, you’d know it because it’s not a simple cup of colored liquid.
The Buddha bowl from Green Leaf on Okinawa has organic whole grain rice and Japanese brown rice, or genmai, on the bottom, and topped with leafy organic vegetables, paprika peppers, dates, quinoa, walnuts, shredded carrots and cubed tempeh. AYA ICHIHASHI/STARS AND STRIPES
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Health-food junkies can find heavenly eats at Green Leaf on Okinawa

When the new year rolls around, many swear off junk food, resolve to lose weight or promise themselves, “I will eat healthier starting today!” This resolve might, or might not, survive the winter months.