9.1 Yonaguni / Sonai

Sonai view from Tindahanata sanctuary.

 The death in Okinawa takes space, a lonely person can occupy a grave with many meters squares. Some of them have the shape of a turtle shell.

Near Sonai the biggest village in Yonaguni (500 inhabitants; the whole island doesn´t reach 2.000 and it has 28,8 sq. km.) there is a huge graveyard in front of the sea, tombs are spread all around, near to the cliff. Name of the place is Urano Tombs. 

Green on my walk

White silence 

Blues sea and sky

Death is important in Okinawa, Urano represents.

But life is also, in fact longevity in Okinawa is top of the world, here is not so strange to be in nineties or go over hundred years old.

"Chomeiso" means "long life grass" is a plant who grows in Yonaguni free of agrochemicals.

 

Since 2008 Shiseido has increased its recognition and his health care division commercializes two products.

A drink that blended "chomeiso" with fruit juice and tablets made from granules.

Another firms sell it just to prepare infusions. I still have it, expecting enlarge a few months my life. Let´s see.

In Sonai there is still some beautiful old house although most of them made with modern materials evidence the inevitable impact of the erosive sea winds.

City Hall of Sonai.

House detail.

Post Office.

Sonai little jinja.

Altar.

Sonai port at night.

Sonai bar, restaurant, club, disco at night ...

Sonai little river.

With three Yonaguni farmers.

The Sonai Bar day time.

Okinawa weaving commonly is called "jofu".

In Yonaguni tradition of weaving and dyeing with plants lasts more than 500 years. Singular name for that in Yonaguni is : "Hanaon"

Awamori factory.
Yonaguni is the only place where hanazake, a variety of awamori (60 percent alcohol), is produce.

Teaching how to sing and play with shansin the traditional Yonaguni music.

Thanks to Kotoe san, best cakes and coffee in Sonai.


NEXT : 9.2  Yonaguni / Atlas moth Museum

4.10 Ishigaki, some other pics in the city

Often in Japan, particularly in Ishigaki, car plaques play with numbers some way. Sometimes are more significative for me.

730 -Nana San Maru- so in July the 30th.

On 1978 then was the datewhen Okinawa prefecture started to drive on the left side.

Allegation to this Museum and so many others anywhere : 

I took many pictures from the Yaeyama Museum in Ishigaki with interesting information about the different islands.

To take pictures were allowed.

I would like to repport graphically about  this interesting museum.

But...

A lady from the staff talked to me that shouldn´t be added in internet.

This policy is not exclusive of Ishigaki but in all the world, a museum let you take pictures and show them wherever you like and the Museum in the other side of the street don´t.

I can not understand. Coherence is required.

Prefectural Museum in Naha has no problem, neither Miyakojima but Yaeyama it has.

Sorry.

Sacred places are around cities and countryside in Okinawa. On the main island are called "utaki", in Miyakojima are "suku" and in Yaeyama name for them is "on". They combine after the torii, a tree or trees, an small "chapel" and behind it a natural space with some stones, plants, trees, surrounded by little fence made with stones, this space is the most holy one evoking spirits.









Ahma On  (Amakawa shrine)

Kanmuriwashi (Crested Serpent Eagle) is very appreciated on the island, I saw one alive in Banna Park. You can see monuments with it and even in pavement motifs.

wasi no tori  traditional dance わしのとり

Turtles on the pavement always welcomed.

Restaurant "enxebre" (galician word).

The expansion of cities has seamlessly integrated the graves. Some are shaped like a turtle shell, something characteristic of the ancient Ryukyu. Here is a good and "beautiful"sample. (Cross fingers).

Uminchou, popular former name of this islands is now the one of a huge "container look" shop full of tourists souvenirs. It is just in front of maritime station.

Wonderful classic home of my nice neighbours.
Thanks Keiko san.

Detail.

Konbini -24 hours 7 days shop- are an institution in all Japan. Coco is number one konbini in Okinawa. My favourite long time is Lawson but coco in Ishigaki.

Great view from my eventual room in a Hotel.

One more "enxebre" place to eat yakitori and oden (Mix of vegetables, tofu, boiled eggs).

"Yu gurena" is the main shopping mall with the city market and many shops full of tourist specialties. There is one more arcade smaller parallel to this one.

City bridge to link with Yashima island and a park full of friendly cats. Once you cross the bridge on the left side.

The view from the bridge.

Well preserved flowers on the road.

Maritime Harbour pier. Busy scene with boats coming and going to the so many islands around.

Nobumoto Ohama Memorial Hall.
http://ohamanobumoto.com/

Hello !!











Watashi no uchi / mi apartamento.
Thanks to nice Marisan. (The owner).

 Watashi no niwa / my garden.




Next :
 4.11 Ishigaki here and there / 石垣あちこち。