Photo Of Shoji Kudaka in traditional cloth

VIDEO: Head to Okinawa’s Bios on the Hill for hidden gems, fun activities 

Bios no oka, a.k.a. Bios on the Hill, a nature-oriented theme park in Uruma City with plenty of fun activities for your friends and family.

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5 must-buy items at Japan’s discount store Don Quijote!

When traveling to Japan, finding the perfect gifts for friends and family is effortless with Don Quijote!

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Exploring Okinawa: Quick trip to uninhabited island

Yojima, a.k.a. Nap Island, is a small island located off the coast of Onna Village - a 20-minute boat ride from Hotel Moon Beach, which offers tours of the island.

Photo Of The covers of the three editions of welcome to the pacific are used as an image.

Submit photos for Stars and Stripes’ Welcome to the Pacific magazine by Jan. 22

Have you ever dreamed about having your photo featured on the cover of a magazine?In May 2025, the next edition of our annual Stars and Stripes Welcome to the Pacific magazine will hit the streets, and we’re looking for you, our readers, to help make it the best ever!

Photo Of whale shark illumination at Southeast Botanical Garden

Light up your holidays by checking out Illuminations on Okinawa

I can’t remember since when Christmas illuminations have become so popular on Okinawa or Japan’s mainland.

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My Paradise: Uncovering legends, myths in Okinawa

Okinawa abounds with legends and myths, surprises where least expected and rare animals that can’t be seen anywhere else.

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Speakin' Japanese: Winter holiday talk

During the holiday season in Japan, you will see KFCs filled on Christmas Day, while on New Year’s Eve, you will hear bells from temples heralding the arrival of the new year.

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6 unique ways Japanese celebrate the holidays

Each December, Christmas is celebrated by people in countries all over the world, and Japan is no exception!

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Childhood memories, refreshing adventures in Nanjo City, Okinawa

On a day in mid-May, I headed south to visit a couple of locations in Nanjo City. As someone who grew up in the mid-to-south section of the island of Okinawa, this southern municipality was my quick, go-to destination.

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My bicycling experience in Japan 

Years ago when I was stationed in South Korea as a junior enlisted soldier, one of the things I disliked was not being able to own a POV.