(Photo by Austin Howton)
Sony Bouya stands still and watchful reminding drivers to slow down. His design, outfit and origin trace back to the late 1960s, when Okinawa was experiencing rapid growth in automobile use and rising concern over pedestrian safety.
Sony Bouya was the brainchild of Mr. Yuisuke Niikawa, founder of the sole Sony affiliated retailer in Okinawa at the time, Denkado, and based on a weekly manga produced by Sony at the time. Shinkawa commissioned at least ten (some sources say 30) of the statues with the words “traffic safety” for a PSA and “Sony” to gently reinforce brand visibility. These figures, dressed in jeans and a Sony collared long-sleeve shirt, were meant to offer a friendly, but serious, visual cue to drivers.
Today, only five Sony Bouyas remain scattered across Okinawa. The Sony Bouya figures are beloved and iconic in these communities. Figures are regularly repainted and occasionally dressed for the holidays or community events, reflecting the enduring affection Okinawans have for the roadside guardians.
Residents and bloggers have helped document these statues for those inquisitive enough to go looking. Here’s where you can find all five surviving statues with map links so you can visit them yourself:
1. Nodake, Ginowan City, map
(Photo by Austin Howton)
Off busy Route 330, near Futenma Gate 3, attached to the parking lot of Okito Kotsu Group, the Ginowan Sony Bouya watches over the traffic of the Nodake District. This Sony bouya appears well-preserved and often draws attention from the curious passersby. He wears a red collar with a yellow shirt, casual blue jeans and shoes.
2. Jahana, Motobu, map
In the northern town of Motobu, this statue stands in a quieter neighborhood in Jahana. Shaded by trees and surrounded by flowers, it’s perhaps the most serene location of the five. It is also the only location where Sony Bouya has a companion. A girl figure, slightly shorter, stands at his side. Sony Bouya and his companion are smartly decorated differently multiple times throughout the year in accordance with the season and holidays. A bento shop is across the street from this Sony Bouya, so you can eat and take pictures with the statue.
3. Kaneku, Nishihara, map
Across the street from Okinawa Kaiho Bank Nishihara Branch in Nishihara Town, you’ll find a Sony Bouya next to a coin laundry. He is also decorated by locals for holidays and has an expressive face, looking like he shakes his head at traffic with his arched eyebrow.
4. Nashiro, Itoman City, map
The Sony Bouya in Nashiro, near Meiji Beach of Itoman City, faces the ocean and is now in the renovated parking lot of Ryukyu Hotel & Resort. He is difficult to spot in the Google Street View here because the location looks different after the parking lot renovation, but if you look really hard you can make him out.
5. Agena, Uruma, map
(Photo by Austin Howton)
Near Agena Central Park in Uruma City, this solid yellow-shirted Sony Bouya is positioned in front of the Ankeina Bullring sign. Its location is also close to Agena Castle Ruins and Camp McTureous’ main housing gate.
These five remaining Sony Bouya figures are a nostalgic window into Okinawa’s belief in civic responsibility. The next time you find yourself driving across the island, keep your eyes peeled near crosswalks and side streets, you might just spot a silent Sony Bouya, still keeping watch after all these years.
