(This page is maintained by Urasoe City's Coordinator for International Relations)
Welcome to the Urasoe English News & Events Page. The goal of this page is to provide up-to-date information in English for foreign residents of Urasoe regarding city announcements and local events. If you have relevant information you would like to share with the Urasoe community, please contact us at urasoe.ir@gmail.com
▼ The Latest Urasoe News ▼
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System for Alien Registration Changing
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posted May 10th, 2012
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For those of you who haven't heard yet, the old system of alien registration in Japan is changing. Alien Registration Cards will no longer be issued, and instead foreign residents will be listed on local residents records.
Here is a helpful PDF explaining some of the changes:
http://www.city.inazawa.aichi.jp/ka_annai/shimin/e_nyuukan.pdf
Urasoe City Hall will be sending out information to those who are affected by these changes within the month. If you feel these changes will be affecting you and you have not received anything in the mail by June, please feel free to let me know.
As always, if you have any other comments, questions or concerns, ask me anything at urasoe.ir@gmail.com
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Japanese Class and Karate Presentation
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posted February 17th, 2012
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The Urasoe International Relations Association (UIRA) would like to let everyone know that they will be holding a traditional Okinawan karate demonstration after Japanese class this Monday, February 20th.
Here is a message from them:
Dear sir or madam,
We would like to inform you about the Japanese class on February 20th. After class, we will be having a traditional Okinawan karate demonstration.
It should be a fun learning experience!
Japanese class: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Karate Demonstration: 8:00pm - 8:30pm
Sincerely,
Yuki Tsuruoka
If you are interested in attending, either let the UIRA know or let me know as soon as you can!
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The CIR Will Be Out of the Building
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posted November 14th, 2011
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Just to let anyone with any burning questions or issues know, I will be out of the office at city hall starting this Friday (Nov. 18th) up until Friday, December 2nd. Just like last year at this time, I will be traveling to Tokyo to meet up with all of the other hundreds of CIR's all over Japan for a several day long conference so we can power each other up by swapping knowledge.
While I cannot guarantee that I will be able to respond to any inquiries while I am away, feel free to e-mail me anytime before then and we can work something out!
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Urashinchu Kangeikai Otsukaresama Desu!
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posted October 17th, 2011
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A huge thanks to everyone who participated in, helped out, or was in any way connected to the very successful Urashinchu Welcome Party last weekend. The dozens and dozens of Urashinchu from all over the world enjoyed their time in their or their ancestors' home of Urasoe.
We hope to see you all again in another five years!
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Uchinanchu Festival and Urashinchu Festival News
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posted August 9th, 2011
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The 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival is right around the corner (October 12th-16th), and to help celebrate all the Okinawans and Okinawans-at-heart who will be coming from all over the world, we will be holding our own Urashinchu Festival here in Urasoe during that time as well.
If you are planning on attending the Uchinanchu Festival in Naha, and you or one of your relatives either past or present called Urasoe their home, then you should join us for the Urashinchu Festival too!
For details about what will be going on when and where, check out the official Urashinchu Festival homepage. The official application forms are uploaded there as well, so be sure to fill them out and send them in if you plan on attending.
If you have any questions about the Urashinchu Festival, feel free to send a message to any of the contact numbers on the official site, or contact me directly.
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34th Annual Tedako Festival This Weekend!
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posted July 21st, 2011
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It's finally here! This year's Tedako Festival is taking place this weekend, July 23rd (starting at 6:30pm) and 24th (starting at 5:00pm) at Urasoe Athletic Park. Come on down and see the performances by singers, dancers, drummers, and more, and most importantly see and taste all that the vendors have to offer!
If you can't make it during the weekend, or if you just can't get enough Okinawan festival goodness, then join us on the Zen'yasai, the Night-Before Festival, tomorrow Friday the 22nd on Yafuso Odori Street (starting at 6:30pm).
As always, if you have any questions about the Tedako Festival or anything else, feel free to contact me!
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Interpreters Needed!
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posted June 1st, 2011
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Volunteer Japanese-English interpreters are needed for an Eisa class! JICA interns are practicing their Eisa for the upcoming Urasoe Tedako Festival on July 24th, and the UIRA needs volunteer Japanese-English interpreters to help them out.
So if you can speak Japanese 8and English!) fairly well and are interested, come hang out, have fun, and make good use of your awesome language skills!
JICA Okinawa Center (gymnasium)
June 23rd, 28th, 30th &
July 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 23rd
Every Tues, Thurs 7:00pm-9:00pm &
July 23rd (Sat) 10:00am-12:00pm
If you're interested let me or the UIRA know!
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Tsunami Evacuation Information
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posted April 7th, 2011
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In light of the recent north-eastern japan earthquake and tsunami, the Urasoe City Hall Emergency Management Office has recently released a PDF of reminders of what to do if a tsunami were to hit Urasoe.
I have translated the PDF, and I recommend taking just a few minutes to read over it and re-familiarize yourself with nearby tsunami shelters and evacuation areas.
English Version
Japanese Version
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North-East Japan Disaster Area
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posted March 14th, 2011
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As you are almost certainly aware of at this time, the north-east part of mainland Japan has been undergoing a series of disasters related to the earthquake that struck off the eastern coast of Japan last Friday. Thousands of casualties and far more injured are reported.
While we are safe in Okinawa, if you are interested in following the news or helping out by donating to the victims, I recommend going to the Google Crisis Response homepage.
If you want any other information concerning the disaster or anything else, feel free to contact me at urasoe.ir@gmail.com.
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Tsunami Warning for Okinawa
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posted March 11th, 2011
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There has been a tsunami warning issued for mainland Okinawa, following an intense earthquake off of mainland Japan coast. 1m (3ft) high waves are expected around 5:40pm today. Please do not go near the ocean if at all possible.
There should be no cause for concern, but if you want information feel free to contact me at urasoe.ir@gmail.com.
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Looking for Help for English School Easter Event
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posted February 24th, 2011
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The local Okinawan YAMAHA English school is currently looking for six native English speakers to help out at the 2010 YAMAHA English School Easter Event. Anyone who likes playing with children and enjoys international exchange is welcome to apply! There are no age restrictions on applicants.
The information for the event is as follows:
Where: Tedako Hall in Urasoe
When: Monday, March 21st, 2011 (national holiday)
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
The schedule consists of a review and rehearsal in the morning, the program with pre-elementary school kids (ages 4-6, about 60 kids), break time, and then the program with the elementary school kids (ages 6-8, about 60 kids). Each native English speaker will be assigned to a group of about 8-10 kids. The programs consist of games, reading stories, asking questions about Easter, etc.
Lunch is provided and ￥5,000 gratitude money given to the volunteers to cover gas or any other travel expenses.
If you are interested in joining, either e-mail me, or directly contact Tomoko Yagi, a representative for the organization, either by e-mail or by phone at 090-7587-1923..
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Weekend Emergency Training
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posted January 24th, 2011
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This Sunday, January 30th starting at approximately 2:00pm, Urasoe will be carrying out the 2010 Urasoe Comprehensive Emergency Training Program along the eastern coast. Emergency sirens and alarms will go off, and helicopters and ambulances will be audible, but they are only for the purposes of the training program. There are no real emergencies planned for the day.
Announcements will be made before and during the training session as well. If you're in the area and are interesting in what's going on, feel free to drop by and take a look too. Being familiar with safety operations is the best way to attain peace of mind and be able to respond to an emergency.
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Tedako Walk 2011
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posted January 21st, 2011
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For those of you who haven't heard yet, the 10th annual Tedako Walk will be taking place the weekend of February 5th and 6th. There are a bunch of great walking courses to choose from on both days, ranging from short 5km family walks to all day long 40km ones. All of the routes start and end at Urasoe Municipal Gym in Urasoe Athletic Park (click for map).
If you're interested in joining, click here for routes, entry fees, information on how to sign up and more!
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Great Foreigner Help in Okinawa
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posted December 22nd, 2010
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I don't know how many of you have already heard about this, but as part of the campaign that the Okinawa prefectural government has had going on since October to give away free iPhones to tourists, they have also been running a free tourist information call center. Of course the center is not just limited to tourists, and if you ever find yourself lost, in need of a translation or some other help, you can call them anytime anywhere in Okinawa! All for free!
The number is: 098-916-6180
However, the coolest feature is that if you are calling them on an iPhone, you can do FaceTime with the call center instead. This means that you can see the person on the other end and they can see you. It's like carrying a free personal interpreter around with you wherever you go! You do need WiFi to connect to FaceTime.
The FaceTime number is: 080-432-5691
For more information you can check out their website. Don't worry about the broken English there. From my experience calling them, and even having a cafe owner call them so the interpreter could take our order, their English is fantastic. So the next time you're at a loss for words, give them a call!
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New Stuff!
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posted December 6th, 2010
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I'm not sure how many people who keep up with this blog also read the monthly Urasoe Koho magazine, but I think now is as good a time as ever to remind everyone of its existence!
The Koho is a thin, colorful magazine that should be delivered to your residence around the beginning of each month, as long as you are a registered resident of Urasoe. Don't confuse it with junk mail though; it's filled with great stuff! It usually looks something like this:
Almost all of the content is in Japanese, but if you see something you're interested in and can't figure it out, feel free to send me an e-mail about it, call (098) 876-1234 (ext.2612), or just walk right on up to the 4th floor of city hall. Plus there's the section toward the back where I write an article in English and Japanese each month, which can be as much a combination of nostalgia and Japanese study tool as you would like!
The latest articles are updated on the main English page, and you can also always read the other articles the previous Urasoe CIRs and myself have written at anytime there too. They make for good reads if you have some spare time. If you would like to see something specific written about, feel free to let me know!
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The CIR is Back!
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posted November 22nd, 2010
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The Urasoe City CIR is back in City Hall. Thank you all for your patience while I was away training to serve you all better!
Unfortunately I acquired no new super powers while gone, but as always I am on the 4th floor of city hall, anxiously awaiting for you to come up or to just ask for some help understanding or being understood by another department. If you need anything, feel free to send an e-mail, call (098) 876-1234 (ext.2612), or just walk right in!
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No CIR Next Week
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posted November 12th, 2010
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This is just an announcement to let everyone know that I will not be in the office all of next week (Nov. 15th to Nov. 19th), as I will be away in Tokyo for midterm CIR training. I'm not exactly sure what sort of training it will end up being, but I'm sure it will only help me help you all better in the future. Whether or not I come back able to fly and use x-ray vision will depend on the presenters I suppose!
If you were planning on requiring assistance in English at city hall next week, I apologize for the inconvenience. If you just come the week after (Nov. 22nd or later), I will be happy to help! Maybe even with x-ray vision!
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Shuffling Around City Hall
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posted November 2nd, 2010
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As some of you may have found out the hard way by now, a lot of offices and departments have moved their locations inside of city hall recently. Here is an updated list of where everything moved to now, so you don't have to go on a treasure hunt every time you go to city hall!
9th floor
(North) Observation deck,
(South) Auditorium
8th floor
(North) Dept. of Culture, Dept. of Gen. Affairs, Dept. of Finance, Head of General Affairs's Office
(South) Dept. of Educational Affairs, Dept. of Education, Superintendent's Office
7th floor
(North) Dept. of Physical Education, Dept. of (Edu.) General Affairs, Dept. of Elderly Care, Education Dept. Head's Office, Head of Education's Office,
(South) Dept. of Personnel, Administrative Reform Promotion Office, Dept. of the Advancement of Lifelong Learning, Bureau of Tedako Citizen's University
6th floor
(North) "Chura Machi" Promotion Dept., City Planning Dept., City Construction Dept. Head's Office
(South) Dept. of Roads, Dept. of Building Sites, Dept. of Rezoning, City Construction Dept. Counsellor's Office
5th floor
(North) Dept. of Contract Investigation, Dept. of Architecture
(South) Dept. of Sewers, Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Environmental Protection, Dept. of Citizens' Well-Being, Citizens' Dept. Head's Office
4th floor
(North) Dept. of Planning, Office of Usage of Vacant Land, Dept. of International Relations, Dept. of Western Coast Development, Western Coast Development Dept. Head's Office, Planning Dept. Head's Office
(South) Dept. of Secretary, Mayor's Office, Vice Mayor's Office, Discussion Room
3rd floor
(North) Dept. of Welfare, Bureau of the Committee of Inspection, Local Information Center, Welfare Dept. Head's Office
(South) Office of Disaster Control, Dept. of Protection, Dept. of Information Policy
2nd floor
(North) Dept. of Children and Family Affairs, Office of Counseling for Children and Family, Office of Counseling for Women
(South) Dept. of Taxes, Dept. of Citizens' Taxes, Dept. of Property Taxes
1st floor
(North) Dept. of Local Support, Dept. of Nursing Care Insurance, Dept. of National Insurance, Health Dept. Head's Office, Map, Banks, Dept. of Accounting, Office of the Accounting Manager, Employment Counseling Office (Hello Work), Medical Information Center
(South) Dept. of Citizens, Dept. of National Insurance, Citizens' Counseling Office
Basement
(North) Defense Room, Shop, Book Depository, Machine Room, Electric Room
(South) Printing Office, Operator's Office, Bureau of Public Welfare Work, Janitorial Room, Union Office, Central Surveillance Office, Exercise Room, Treasurer's Office, Nurse's Office
(Translated from the Urasoe City Homepage)
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Friendship Bus Tour Fantastic Fun
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posted September 22nd, 2010
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As everyone who went on the Friendship Bus Tour last weekend can attest, it was a lot of fun from the rainy beginning, during the bright and sunny middle, and all the way to the slightly exhausted end.
The trip included a visit to Pineapple Park, a tour at the Orion Beer Factory, target golf, and plenty of free time to talk to all of the other members who came along. We even stayed at a youth center for the night and ate dinner/breakfast with and talked with some of the middle school students on various field trips staying there too.
It was a great experience for everyone involved (especially me!), and if you enjoy getting to know cool people and doing fun things, then you should be on the lookout for upcoming UIRA events!
(Taken from the UIRA blog) - more pictures available here!
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Disaster Map and Information PDF Translation
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posted September 17th, 2010
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I posted the information put up on the Urasoe homepage about emergency shelters last month, but I've only just got around to translating the Japanese PDF that contains a map of disaster shelters, and steps you can take to protect yourself from earthquakes, tsunamis and floods. Exciting and informative!
Disaster Map PDF
Page 1 - The Map
Page 2 - Earthquake Information
Page 3 - Tsunami/Flood Information
There were a few things that were impossible to translate due to graphical limitations, but everything that you need to know is there. As usual just drop me an e-mail if you have any questions!
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South American SUDAKA a Delicious Success
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posted September 10th, 2010
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Last Wednesday's South American dinner at the SUDAKA restaurant in Naha's Sakae-machi marketplace with the visiting interns from South America was quite the treat. You can see the interns above (left to right: Karin and Natalia), and I'm there in the back in the blue shirt looking dazed.
It was a feast including enpanadas (meat and vegetables with sauce wrapped in bread), purple rice, sausage and vegetable stir-fry, salted beef, and corn soup (all of which I forgot the names of). It was great to be able to enjoy some good food with interesting people, all of whom were lots of fun to talk to.
So don't be shy! If you're ever interested in joining international events or whatnot, go ahead! If you have any questions, e-mail me beforehand, because chances are I'll be there anyway!
(Taken from the UIRA blog) - more pictures available here!
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Garbage Procedures During Typhoons
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posted September 3rd, 2010
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The Urasoe City Homepage would like everyone to know the correct steps to take in disposing their garbage during inclement weather:
1) If the buses are not running starting at 8:00am, then the garbage will not be collected on that day.
2) If the buses are running again by 3:00pm, then the garbage will start being collected at the time the buses start running.
3) If the buses stop running after the garbage has already started to be collected, then garbage will stop being collected when the buses stop running.
4) If your garbage is not collected, then please put it out again during the next time it would be picked up.
(Translated from the Urasoe City Homepage)
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Oldest Non-Living Man Not Found in Urasoe
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posted September 3rd, 2010
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In case you haven't heard, recently there has been an uproar over the cases of thousands of 100+ year olds who were reported as living for years, sometimes decades, so that their families could receive their pension benefits, when in reality they had actually died long ago.
The whereabouts of 8108 centenarians in Okinawa are unknown, and while Miyako Island holds the record for most missing in a single town/city at 1509 people, it should be noted that our very own Urasoe holds the record for the oldest missing person at 176 years old! That would pin him as being born in 1834, a time which, according to my research, they did not even have the internet!
Let's just hope that when he is found, if he's no longer with us, his cause of death wasn't an excessive amount of birthday candles that he couldn't blow out!
(Taken from Okinawa Times online)
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Typhoon Warning
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posted August 31st, 2010
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Today city hall, buses, the monorail and almost everything else will be closing after 10:00am due to the incoming typhoon. For constant updates on the typhoon, watch NHK (channel 2) or follow the Typhoon Tracker link on the left sidebar.
Though there shouldn't be anything to worry about, it's best to stay inside during a typhoon, since it can suddenly change in intensity. If you have any typhoon related questions, feel free to contact me!
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Urasoe Emergency Shelter Information
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posted August 26th, 2010
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Yesterday the Urasoe city homepage posted information on all of the local disaster shelters. If you've ever thought about where you would need to go if a tsunami were to decide to drop in, then I'd recommend giving it a look!
防災マップ (Japanese)
Emergency Shelter Information (English translation)
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Watch Out for Heatstroke!
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posted August 25th, 2010
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Today the Urasoe city homepage reminds us all to be careful of heatstroke during this oppressively hot and humid summer:
"The days just keep getting hotter, and reports of heatstroke within Okinawa continue, and there have even been cases of death by heatstroke in other prefectures. According to prefectural data, most cases of heatstroke occur during strenuous work outside of the house. Men in their 20s-50s who spend a significant amount of the day outside for work or exercise, and the elderly are particularly at risk.
However it is possible to suffer from heatstroke inside the house as well, if the temperature and humidity reach high enough levels inside. Be sure to take daily preventative measures such as including plenty of water and salt in your diet, and not spending extended periods of time outdoors under the blazing sun." (source)
The article is supplemented with several resources, all in Japanese. If you would like to know more about them, contact me!
- Preventing Against Heatstroke, Emergency Measures (front)
- Preventing Against Heatstroke, Emergency Measures (back)
- Okinawa Heatstroke News Report (June-Sept)
- Okinawa Dept. of Health and Welfare, Health Promotion Division "2010 Reports on the State of Heatstrokes in Okinawa"
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Gerard McKinley and The Islanders Brilliant Last Saturday
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posted August 24th, 2010
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In case you missed it, local English teacher Gerard McKinley and his band The Islanders played live at the Naha Irish pub Smugglers last Saturday night. He not only showed off his musical instrument talent, but his fantastic singing voice as well. It was a real treat for everyone who came.
They're planning on playing again next month, so if you'd like to go keep an eye out for updates!
(Taken from the UIRA blog)
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Hello Urasoe!
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posted August 16th, 2010
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Nice to meet you everyone! My name is Scott Wilson and I will be
replacing Patrick as the new Urasoe City Hall CIR. I know those are
some big shoes to fill, but I will do my best to be as helpful as I can
to the citizens of Urasoe, natives and foreigners alike.
To that
end I'm in the process of updating this English news blog to be as
useful as possible to the English speaking population of Urasoe. I
apologize for any layout mishaps that you may notice in the next few
days, but I promise it will all come together in the end.
In the
meantime, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the
News FLASH blog or Urasoe in general, feel free to send me an e-mail at
urasoe.ir@gmail.com and I will
do my best to respond. I've only been here for a week or so, so maybe
you can teach me some things about the local area too!
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!
Can't wait to hear from you!
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Bye Bye Okinawa
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posted July 21st, 2010
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Wow, have two years gone by already? In a whirl of smoke and mirrors, I
will be finishing my term as Urasoe's CIR next week. This site will
remain inactive for a few weeks while the new Urasoe CIR, Mr. Scott
Wilson from Boston, settles into his new job. Thanks everyone for your
support, and I wish you health and happiness on Okinawa (or wherever
life might lead you)!
- Patrick Robison
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33rd Annual Tedako Matsuri
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posted July 12th, 2010
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| Tedako Matsuri, Urasoe's summer festival, will be held
between July 16th-18th this year. A number of entertaining events are
planned. Click here to see a PDF list of festival activities (DISCLAIMER: I didn't translate it, hee hee hee~).
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Okinawa/U.S.A. Folk Music Exchange
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posted June 9th, 2010
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| A little shameless self-promotion never hurt anyone, right? Click here to see a poster with details for my upcoming folk music class, hosted by the Urasoe International Relations Association.
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June - July Tedako Hall Events
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posted June 2nd, 2010
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See what will be going on at Urasoe's Tedako Hall this summer by clicking the link below.
Tedako Hall Events, June-July 2010
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| Peru-Urasoe Dooshikai 75th Anniversary!
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posted May 6th, 2010
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The Peru-Urasoe Dooshikai, an organization composed of members whose
families originally emigrated to Peru from Urasoe, celebrated its 75th
anniversary at the end of April in Lima, Peru. Click here to see photos of the celebration. Congratulations everyone, and here's to many more years of friendship!
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The Truth About Cats & Dogs
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posted April 19th, 2010
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Click here to read a few pet-related announcements from the Environmental Conservation Section.
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| AH1N1 Vaccination Subsidy Continues
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posted April 19th, 2010
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The AH1N1 vaccination subsidy which was offered last fiscal year has
been carried over into the new fiscal year, so if you haven't been
vaccinated yet or already paid for a vaccination yourself, it is still
possible to have the vaccination covered. If you plan to get a
vaccination this year, take the subsidy certificate (josei shōmei-sho
助成証明書) you received in the mail from Urasoe City with you to the
doctor's office. If you already paid for a vaccination yourself and
would like to be reimbursed, please inquire at the Health Promotion
Section of Urasoe City Hall (kenkō suishin-ka 健康推進課):
098-876-1234, extension 3661 (Japanese)
Please note that this subsidy is limited to low-income households which are receiving financial assistance from Urasoe City.
Documents Necessary for Reimbursement:
1. Subsidy Certificate (jyosei shōmei-sho 助成証明書）
2. Vaccination receipt from your doctor (ryōshūsho 領収書)
3. Bank book or other bank document which shows your name,
account number, and bank branch/number
4. Personal seal (inkan)
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| Dog Registration & Rabies Vaccinations
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posted April 7th, 2010
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| You may have received a pink sheet in the mail within
the last few days detailing the registration/rabies vaccination process
in Urasoe. One-time pet registration as well as yearly rabies
vaccinations are mandatory for all dogs living in Urasoe (note that
this law does not apply to house cats). The combined cost for these
two services is ￥6000. A mobile registration/vaccination team will be
offering these services at local community centers in Urasoe during the
months of April & May. If you are unable to read Japanese but
would like to know when the registration/vaccination team will be
passing by your neighborhood community center, please give us a call at
876-1234 (extension 2612). |
| New Prices for Garbage Bags & Disposal Service
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posted April 1st, 2010
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As of today, the start of the new fiscal year in Japan,
garbage disposal charges in Urasoe have gone up a wee bit. Here is a
chart reflecting the price changes:
Bag Type/Service
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Price BEFORE Revision (Per Bag)
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New Price
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Large Garbage Bags (大)
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￥20 |
￥25 |
Medium Garbage Bags (中)
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￥17 |
￥20 |
Small Garbage Bags (小)
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￥15 |
No Change
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Oversized Garbage Sticker
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￥200 |
￥300 |
Office Garbage Disposal Charge (per kg.)
|
￥2 |
￥4 |
Don't be surprised if garbage bags cost a little more next time you go the supermarket! |
| Kariyushi Season Is Here!
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posted April 1st, 2010
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| The official
kariyushi wear season has finally arrived on Okinawa. This means summer heat is on the way - I hope you're ready! |
| Motor Vehicle Registration Changes?
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posted March 1st, 2010
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Annual
motor vehicle taxes are charged to the registered owner of a vehicle as
of April 1st. This means that if in the last year you have disposed of
a vehicle, given it to someone else, sold the vehicle, or had it
stolen, you must register the change before April 1st of this year in
order to assure not having to pay taxes on the vehicle for the 2010
fiscal year.
In the case that the vehicle was stolen, a document issued by the police verifying the theft called a
tōnan jyurihyō (盗難受理票) must be submitted along with other registration documents. This is available from the Urasoe Police Station in Maeda.
Where to change registration details:
50cc-125cc motorbikes
Urasoe City Hall Municipal Tax Section - 浦添市役所市民税課
126-250cc motorbikes & kei cars
Kei Car Association - 軽自動車協会
Urasoe, Minatogawa 500-7
Motorcycles above 250cc
Okinawa Land Transportation Office - 陸運事務局
Urasoe, Minatogawa 512-4 |
Tsunami and You
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posted March 10th, 2010
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As a result of the recent string of earthquakes which
have been happening around the world, several tsunami warnings have
been issued on Okinawa over the last month. It might be a good time to
review
this information about the dangers of tidal waves. |
March - May Tedako Hall Events
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posted March 10th
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As usual, I was a little slow getting around to
translating this, but here is a list of the main events scheduled for
March through May at Tedako Hall in Urasoe:
March-May Tedako Hall Events
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| Consumer Affairs Consultation Office |
posted February 17th, 2010
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In addition to consultation on everyday matters for
Urasoe residents, the counseling/consultation office on the first floor
of Urasoe City Hall will now offer free consultation services for
consumer affairs-related questions. Have a question about product
warranties, insurance policies, door-to-door scams, or a similar
subject? Feel free to drop in! All consultation is strictly
confidential. Interpreting available for those who need help in
Japanese (call extension 2612 or come up to the International Relations
Section on the 4th floor to request an interpreter).
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| Tax Season In Urasoe |
posted February 15th, 2010
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| The cherry blossoms may be winding down, but to maintain
your excitement level, why not file your 2009 tax return sometime in
the next month? It'll be a load of fun, I promise. Details here.
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Medical Expense Allowance for Infants and Young Children: Changes to Application Process
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posted January 14th, 2010
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Until recently, it was necessary to submit a written application at
Urasoe City Hall after each doctor/pharmacy visit in order to receive
the Medical Expense Allowance for Infants and Young Children offered by
the Japanese government. As of January 1st, 2010 this process has
changed. One can now be reimbursed automatically after each doctor or
pharmacy visit through bank transfer by filling out a one-time
application at Urasoe City Hall. If this benefit applies to your child
or children, please stop by The Child Welfare Section of Urasoe City
Hall to fill out the application and make your life easier!
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Tchau Darcio
|
posted December 3rd, 2009
|
Darcio Mekaru, a Brazilian of Okinawan descent who spent
six months studying Japanese language and various traditional Okinawan
arts here in Urasoe under a city-sponsored program, wrapped things up
the other night with an amazing performance of traditional dance,
sanshin, karate, and tea ceremony. O-tsukare sama Darcio and good look in all of your future endeavors!
(That's Darcio looking rather handsome in a black and grey kimono, standing next to Mayor Gima)
|
| Liability Insurance For Your Automobile |
posted September 11th, 2009
|
Why is this insurance mandatory for all drivers in Japan? Click here
to learn more, courtesy of the Japanese Cabinet Office.
|
| Swine Flu is Here |
posted August 13th, 2009
|
There have been reported cases of swine flu from several
preschools and businesses in Urasoe within the last few weeks. As the
symptoms caused by the virus are relatively mild in most cases, this
isn't any reason to panic. That said, most people don't want to get
sick or make others sick. Click the link below to learn more about the
AH1N1 virus (affectionately called "swine flu") and what you can do to
prevent contracting or spreading the virus.
Swine Flu Details |
| Monthly Flea Market |
posted July 15th, 2009
|
Recently a friend notified me that there is no
information available in English regarding the flea market which takes
place in the square next to Urasoe City Hall once a month. Oops!
Let's try and remedy this:
URASOE CITY HALL FLEA MARKET
- Takes place on the second Sunday of each month, in the square between
Urasoe City Hall and the Urasoe City Council building (off prefectural
route 38, up the hill from the 330 Ohira Interchange)
- Starts around 9 a.m., though people get there early.
- It costs ￥500 to reserve a place and hawk one's wares.
- It's hard to say exactly what everyone will be selling, but
children's clothing, plates/cutlery, and knickknacks make up the bulk
of the market.
Have fun browsing! |
|
▼ Upcoming Events and Holidays ▼
|
(Scroll down or click on any of the events in the calendar for more information)
| More Events Added to the Calendar!
|
|
In case you missed the latest fall issue of the UIRA newsletter, below are the choiciest bits in detail and above are all of them added to the calendar. Enjoy!
As always, if you're interested in attending any of them, get in touch with the UIRA using one of these methods:
☆ In person ☆
Go to the Urasoe International Relations Association office
☆ By telephone ☆
Call (098) 879-3010
☆By e-mail ☆
E-mail u-kokusai@woody.ocn.ne.jp
EVENTS
Interactive Talks
JICA Okinawa Center
Oct. 7th (Fri) - Trainees from East Timor
Dec. 2nd (Fri) - Trainees from Oceania
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Free・No appointment necessary
JICA trainees talk about their home countries. There is free talk time as well, where you can just hang out with the trainees and people who have come back from volunteering all over the world.
JICA International Cooperation Festival
JICA Okinawa Center
Nov. 26th & 27th, 2012 (Sat & Sun)
A stage set for presentations of the fruits of
Okinawa's international cooperation and exchange. There will be “Songs
and Dances from Around the World” as well as many other events. Visit the official website for more info (http://www.jica.go.jp/okinawa).
End of the Year Party Urasoe Central Community Center Annex
Dec. 3rd, 2012 (Sat)
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Members from each club and language class will gather together and present the results from their year of hard work.
COURSES
Tedako Japanese Classroom
JICA Okinawa Center (next to cafeteria)
April 2011-March 19th, 2012 (36 meetings total)
Mondays 7:00pm-8:30pm (3 per month)
Members: Free, Others: ￥100 (each time)
A Japanese class that started in April for all local
non-natives and JICA interns. It's run by volunteers, supporting
learners of all levels.
Chinese Language Course (High-Low Beginner)
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (1st fl)
July 4th, 2011 – March 19th, 2012 (30 meetings total)
Mondays 10:30-12:00pm
￥6,100 (1st semester - 10 meetings)
Have fun learning Chinese through texts, TV shows and music. Correct
pronunciation is emphasized. Perfect for those looking to level up from
being a beginner.
Korean Language Course (Intermediate Prep Class)
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (3rd fl)
Aug. 3rd, 2011-March 21st, 2012 (30 meetings total)
Wednesdays 7:00pm-8:30pm
￥6,100 (1st semester - 10 meetings)
Aimed at people above the beginner level. We will use
Korean radio shows to learn native culture, customs and manners, all
the while warming up to enter the intermediate level.
CLASSES
Karate Class
JICA Okinawa Center (Nirai Hall)
10:00am - 12:00pm
Members: ￥200, Others: ￥500
① 1st Class: Oct. 22nd (Sat) 10:00am - 12:00pm
“Introduction to Karate and Basic Movements”
② 2nd Class: Oct. 29th (Sat) 10:00am - 12:00pm
“History of Karate and Mit Punching Practice”
③ 3rd Class: Nov. 12th (Sat)
“Basic Forms and Sparring Practice”
Have fun learning traditional Okinawan karate with
local foreign residents. We will be going over basics and beginners are
welcome. Please come wearing workout clothes. Don't forget a towel and water too!
Halloween Class
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (2nd fl.)
Oct. 29th, 2011 (Sat)
2:00pm-4:00pm
Members: ￥300, Others: ￥600, Children: ￥200
Urasoe's own Coordinator for International Relations Mr. Scott will talk about the origins of Halloween and how it is celebrated. Have fun playing Halloween games, getting candy, and of course feel free to come dressed in your favorite costume!
Italian Cooking Class
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
Nov. 13th, 2011 (Sun)
1:00pm-5:00pm
Members: ￥800, Others: ￥1,500
Let's learn some fun and easy Italian home cooking from the chef Mr. Piero. His wife Chie will also tell us all about some great, little known hidden spots to visit in Italy. This is your chance to experience not only the food culture of Italy, but the values and experiences of its life-loving people too.
History Lecture by Takashi Uezato "The Mysteries of
Past Urasoe Administrations" & Film "Urasoe Yodore - Ancient Ryukyu
Resurrected"
Urasoe Harmony Center (1st floor Hall)
Dec. 3rd, 2011 (Sat)
Open: 2:00pm, Lecture: 2:30pm-3:40pm, Film: 3:30pm-5:10pm
Members: ￥300, Others: ￥700 (each)
This event was originally planned to be held on August 6th (Sat), but due to the typhoon it was canceled. It is now back by popular request and we hope you can join us for it!
American Christmas Desserts
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
Dec. 10th, 2011 (Sat)
10:00am-1:00pm
Members: ￥800, Others: ￥1,500, Children: ￥500
Christmas in America is a day when families gather together from all over... to eat! Newly married Mrs. Abigail will show you how to make three traditional Christmas desserts that you too can make for the special people in your life.
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| Chinese History Class Date Change
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|
Just letting anyone who was interested in going to the "Silk Road of the Sea - Quanzhou" class taught by Quanzhou native and Naha City CIR Mr. Wang that the date has been moved from July 11th (Monday) to July 20th (Wednesday).
The time (1:30pm-3:00pm) remains unchanged.
We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.
|
Events Added
|
|
In case you haven't picked yours up yet or gotten it
in the mail, be sure to come up to the 4th floor of city hall sometime
to get your new, freshly translated copy of the summer UIRA newsletter.
There's a lot of fun and interesting stuff inside, and below is a list
of some upcoming events.
If you're interested in attending any of them, get in touch with the UIRA using one of these methods:
☆ In person ☆
Go to the Urasoe International Relations Association office
☆ By telephone ☆
Call (098) 879-3010
☆By e-mail ☆
E-mail u-kokusai@woody.ocn.ne.jp
EVENTS
Snacks with Taiwanese Students
Okiden (Urasoe cooking classroom)
July 19th, 2011 (Tue)
2:00pm-4:00pm
Members: ￥300, Others: ￥600
Have fun chatting with Taiwanese international students while making some Okinawan snacks.
Chinese Tea Party
Urasoe Harmony Center (2nd floor Activity Room)
August 6th, 2011 (Sat)
2:00pm-5:00pm
Have fun talking with Fujian natives and sipping on Tieguanyin, Da Hong Pao, and Gao Shan tea from Fujian.
Fun With Okinawan Paper Plays!
Urasoe Central Community Center
August 21st, 2011 (Sun)
2:00pm-4:00pm
Members: ￥300, Others: ￥600, Children: ￥100
A parent-child international salon. Have some fun with your young one over summer vacation watching an Uchina Paper Play, making Shisa hats, and drawing pictures. Aimed at children 5 years old to elementary school students
COURSES
Tedako Japanese Classroom
JICA Okinawa Center (next to cafeteria)
April 2011-March 19th, 2012 (36 meetings total)
Mondays 7:00pm-8:30pm (3 per month)
Members: Free, Others: ￥100 (each time)
A Japanese class that started in April for all local non-natives and JICA interns. It's run by volunteers, supporting learners of all levels.
Chinese Language Course (High-Low Beginner)
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (1st fl)
July 4th, 2011 – March 19th, 2012 (30 meetings total)
Mondays 10:30-12:00pm
￥6,100 (1st semester - 10 meetings)
Have fun learning Chinese through texts, TV shows and music. Correct pronunciation is emphasized. Perfect for those looking to level up from being a beginner.
Korean Language Course (Intermediate Prep Class)
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (3rd fl)
Aug. 3rd, 2011-March 21st, 2012 (30 meetings total)
Wednesdays 7:00pm-8:30pm
￥6,100 (1st semester - 10 meetings)
Aimed at people above the beginner level. We will use
Korean radio shows to learn native culture, customs and manners, all
the while warming up to enter the intermediate level.
"Walking Around Town" - Thinking About Where We Live!
JICA Okinawa Center
① August 26th (Fri) 7:00pm-9:00pm “Orientation”
② Sept. 2nd (Fri) 7:00pm-9:00pm “Gusukuma Study Session”
③ Sept. 9th (Fri) 7:00pm-9:00pm “Each Other's Cultures”
④ Sept. 17th (Sat) 9:00am-1:00pm “Walking Course – A Taste”
⑤ Sept. 25th (Sun) 9:00am-1:00pm “Walking – The Real Deal”
⑥ Sept. 30th (Fri) 7:00pm-9:00pm “Ending Ceremony”
￥1,100
We'll be learning with the theme of Gusukuma's “Tibi Tug of War,” reexamining the culture and nature of where we live through the eyes of the JICA interns and other non-natives. Our goal is to think about how to make our city a great place for everyone to live.
CLASSES
Taiwan Ashi-Momi Self-Care Class
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (1st fl)
June 14th, 2011 (Tue)
10:00am-12:00pm
Members: ￥500, Others: ￥1,000
Keep yourself and your feet healthy with Ashi-Momi. Learn techniques to take care of yourself that you can do at home.
Safety Rules and Tips Presentation for Foreigners
JICA Okinawa Center (Nirai Hall)
June 27th, 2011 (Mon)
7:00pm-8:30pm
Free!
This presentation is intended for non-Okinawan natives living locally, so that they can live here safely and securely by learning how to dial 110 and what to do in an emergency. Feel free to bring your friends! (There will be an interpreter)
South American Cooking Class
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
June 25th, 2011 (Sat)
10:00am-1:00pm
Members: ￥800, Others: ￥1,500
Everyone's favorite lady from the Okinawa-Cuba Friendship Association will be showing us how to make meals from her homeland. Locro, made from a maize base boiled with beans, pumpkin, meat and chorizo pork sausage, along with tortillas and baked pork.
Polish Cooking Class
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
August 20th, 2011 (Sat)
10:00am-1:00pm
Members: ￥800, Others: ￥1,500
Polish food takes the best of its Russian, Ukrainian and German neighbors to create delicious dishes full of variety. Our instructor will be introducing three common household dishes: potato gnocchi, boiled beef rolls, and apple cake.
Spanish Cooking Class
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
Sept. 28th (Wed)
6:30pm-9:00pm
Members: ￥800, Others: ￥1,500
Let's learn how to make Spanish omelettes, popular in both the West and South America. Chilled, sour Gazpacho soup is also perfect for fighting off the summer heat and working up an appetite.
Uchinanchus Around the World
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (3rd fl)
June 29th (Wed)
7:00pm-9:00pm
Free!
The Uchinanchu World Festival is happening this year. Get ready for it by learning all about the history of Okinawan emigrants, their history, and South American culture.
History and Culture of Quanzhou City in Fujian Province
"History & Culture of China & Fujian" &
"Silk Road of the Sea - Quanzhou"
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Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (1st fl)
July 4th, 2011 (Mon) and July 20th, 2011 (Wed)
1:30pm-3:00pm
Free!
Quanzhou City in Fujian Province is one of Urasoe's Friendship Cities,
and Mr. Wang, a Quanzhou native and Okinawa Prefectural Hall CIR, will
be introducing the history and culture of his hometown. There will be a
small Chinese lesson as well.
Traditional Fujian Cuisine "Chunbing" Cooking Class
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl kitchen)
July 9th, 2011 (Sat)
10:00am-1:00pm
Members: ￥800, Others: ￥1,500
“Chunbing” are Chinese-style crepes. You can wrap a bunch of different toppings and sauces inside the pancake.
History Lecture by Takashi Uezato "The Mysteries of Past Urasoe Administrations" & Film "Urasoe Yodore - Ancient Ryukyu Resurrected"
Urasoe Harmony Center (1st floor Hall)
August 6th, 2011 (Sat)
Open: 12:30pm, Lecture: 12:50pm-2:00pm, Film: 2:30pm-3:45pm
Members: ￥300, Others: ￥700 (each)
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|
|
New Japanese Class for Foreigners Starting
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|
For anyone who has taken classes with Mukai-sensei in the past, or anyone who is looking to brush up their Japanese or just get started learning, a new round of Japanese class is about to start.
Tedako Japanese Lesson
JICA Okinawa International Center
Mondays from April to June
7:00pm - 8:30pm
￥100 per class (free for UIRA members!)
The lessons consist of a tea party with participating international JICA trainees where Japanese will be used as much as possible, as well as language courses. See the above calendar for schedule details.
The layout of the courses is as follows:
Advanced Conversation Level:
Brush up your conversational Japanese
* For people who use Japanese daily
* For people who can already understand Japanese
* Talk with a Japanese volunteer and a few other people
Primary Level:
Study basic Japanese listening, grammar, reading and aim to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level N5
* For people who want to learn characters and grammar
* For people who want to study for years to come
* Study with a lecturer in a group
Beginner Level:
Learn easy Japanese words and information to get by
* For people want to speak easy Japanese
* For people want to enjoy life in Okinawa
* Study with Japanese volunteers in a group
Feel free to join and make some Japanese friends! If you're interested, please contact the UIRA by e-mail (u-kokusai@woody.ocn.ne.jp) or by phone (098-879-3010).
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Thursday's Japanese Yuntaku Salon to Move to Fridays
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Just letting anyone who is interested in trying out the Japanese Yuntaku Salon, previously held on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00PM at the Social Welfare Center in Urasoe, know that starting in March, the salon will be held every Friday instead, except for the last Friday of each month. Check out the schedule above for details.
If you're interested in learning Japanese in a casual environment and haven't stopped by yet to try it out, then I highly recommend doing so! The next meeting will be on Friday March 4th. See you there!
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| New Events Added
|
|
In case you haven't picked yours up yet or gotten it in the mail, be sure to come up to the 4th floor of city hall sometime to get your new, freshly translated copy of the UIRA newsletter. There's a lot of fun and interesting stuff inside, and below is a list of some upcoming events.
If you're interested in attending any of them, get in touch with the UIRA using one of these methods:
☆ In person ☆
Go to the Urasoe International Relations Association office
☆ By telephone ☆
Call (098) 879-3010
☆By e-mail ☆
E-mail u-kokusai@woody.ocn.ne.jp
EVENTS
UIRA New Years Party
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex
Saturday, Jan. 15th 2011
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Free!
A New Years party with traditional Japanese games and events like calligraphy, card games, eisa dance and drums, rakugo comedy, food from countries all over the world, and more.
“Walking Around Town Volunteers”
Contact the UIRA for Details
Jan. 21st, 29th, Feb. 4th, 12th, 18th, 25th
Fridays: 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Saturdays: 9:30am - 12:00pm
￥1,400 (includes ￥500 for a JICA cafeteria meal ticket)
This is the 3rd iteration of the Walking Around Town Volunteers course that started two years ago with the goal of "making Urasoe easier for foreigners to live in." This time around they're going to ride the community bus with JICA trainees and local foreigners.
Interactive Course: Africa
JICA Okinawa Intl. Center Nirai Hall (3rd fl.)
Friday, February 25th, 2011
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Free!
African JICA trainees introduce their home countries, presentations from former members of cooperative groups dedicated to helping developing countries, time to just talk with the trainees, and more.
COURSES
Latin Dance Club "Bonita"
1st and 3rd Saturdays
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Free if you're a member!
English Conversation Club "Yuntaku"
Tuesdays
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Free if you're a member!
Spanish Club "ALEGRIA"
Wednesdays
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Free if you're a member!
"Fun Walking"
Thursdays
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Free if you're a member!
Sing Along English
2nd, 3rd and 4th Thursdays
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Free if you're a member!
Korean Course (Beginner)
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (3rd fl.)
Wednesdays, Jan. 26th - Mar. 30th
7:00pm - 8:30pm
￥6,000 (plus ￥1,600 for textbook fees and materials)
For those who took the UIRA entry-level Korean course
or can read and write Hangul. Have fun learning about Korean history
and culture while mastering pronunciation and basic sentence patterns
Chinese Course (Beginner - Intermediate Beginner)
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (1st fl.)
Mondays, Jan. 17th - Mar. 14th
10:30am - 12:00pm
￥5,400 (plus ￥500 for materials)
Recommended for people who want to step up above entry-level. The focus of the class is on good pronunciation.
Japanese Course
JICA Okinawa Intl. Center (Nirai Hall)
Mondays, Jan. 17th - Mar. 21st
7:30pm - 8:30pm
￥100 (for materials)
Courses aimed at foreigners living in the local area. Concentration is on daily and necessary basic conversation skills.
CLASSES
Jamaican Cooking Class
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
Saturday, Jan. 29th, 2011
10:00am - 1:00pm
Get some recipes for Caribbean dishes full of fish and vegetables. Learn to make boiled mackerel in coconut milk, bean rice, and Caribbean salad.
Cooking in English with Matt
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
Saturday, Feb. 26th, 2011
10:00am - 1:00pm
Make some healthy vegetarian dishes that are good for
the body and mind. The menu includes breaded/fried Okinawan tofu, mushroom gravy, seasonal salad, and milk cookies.
Burmese Cooking Class
Urasoe Central Community Center (2nd fl. kitchen)
Saturday, Mar. 19th, 2011
10:00am - 1:00pm
Burmese cuisine takes the best of its neighboring countries India and China. It will warm your heart and soul! Mohinga (fish and noodle soup) and tea leaf candy are on the agenda.
Parent-Child Intl. Salon "Hina Matsuri Party"
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex
Sunday, Feb. 27th, 2011
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Members ￥500, Others ￥800,
Middle Schoolers and Under ￥200
Have some international fun with the Hina Matsuri
doll festival. Foreigners living in Okinawa are invited to make dolls
and sing together. Boys are welcome too!
Taiwanese Ashi-Tsubo Self-Care Massage Class
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex
Tuesday, Feb. 15th, 2011
10:00am - 12:00pm
Members ￥500, Others ￥1,000
Learn how to massage your feet at home and stay healthy
Video Documentary "Invisible Children"
Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (lecture hall)
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
10:00am - 12:30pm and 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Free!
There will be a "Child Soldiers" lecture and "Thinking About Child Soldiers Close to Home" workshop held afterward.
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| Overseas Taiwanese Course Cancelled
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|
I apologize for the late notice on this, but I just found out too! The "International Students Introduce Their Country: Overseas Taiwanese Course" that was planned to be held tonight has been canceled.
Sorry to anyone who was planning on going, but there's still plenty of other stuff to do... just not today! Think of it as a nice break before more fun stuff starts up.
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JICA International Festival
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JICA Okinawa Center
November 13-14th, 2010 (Sat, Sun)
9:30am - 6:00pm
In case you haven't heard, the JICA International Festival is coming up this weekend! It's a fun two day long, all day festival. There will be international sports events, song and dance demonstrations, food exhibitions, movies and more. If just Japan isn't international enough for you, then come and check out stuff from dozens and dozens of other countries!
This is where the Icharibachode Ground Golf Meet will be taking place as well, so if you're already attending that, then you might as well stick around and see the other cool things that will be there too!
If you're interested in seeing the fliers for the festival, then go here and click on the PDF links. Be warned however, they're in Japanese! If you need/want anything translated, just contact me.
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Lecture Date Change
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Just an announcement to let you know that the date for the 3rd interactive course on Guatemala, originally scheduled for October 29th, has been moved to November 19th. The new schedule is as follows:
3rd Interactive Course: Guatemala
JICA Okinawa Center Nirai Hall (3rd fl.)
November 19th, 2010 (Fri)
7:00pm - 8:30pm
No admission fee, no RSVP necessary
If you're interested in attending, just show up there and then!
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Icharibachode Ground Golf Meet
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JICA International Center (sports field)
November 13th (Sat)
9:30am - 12:00pm
Members ￥100, Others ￥200 (for insurance)
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If you've ever wanted to get to know the many international interns at JICA from all over the world, or just some other Okinawans, this is your chance! Join everyone for a round of ground golf. Almost all of the JICA interns speak English, and I will be there to help with Japanese interpreting, so don't worry about any language barriers!
If you're interested, contact the JICA office at (098)-876-6000.
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Lots of New Upcoming Events!
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As you may have noticed there have recently been a lot of additions to the upcoming events calendar. The UIRA quarterly newsletter just came out in Japanese, and the English translation just came out too. Since I'm in charge of translating it, I get a sneak peek at everything coming up and get to put it all up here for all of your conveniences!
Though there's too much to list in one post, here's some things coming up soon that you may be interested in. If you're interested in attending any of them, e-mail the UIRA.
I will continue to update things as they get closer. For more details, don't forget to check out the newsletter too! You can come pick one up at the 4th floor of Urasoe city hall if you don't have one yet.
Japanese Courses
Courses aimed at foreigners living in the local Urasoe area. The concentration is on daily and necessary basic conversation skills.
JICA International Okinawa Center
Mondays, starting Oct. 4th 2010 - Mar. 21st 2011 (20 times total)
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Free! (Members only)
Chinese Courses: High Beginner - Intermediate
Perfect for those who have been unsuccessful at studying Chinese in the past, or you can just look forward to having a Chinese exchange lunch with Yang Jian-laoshi.
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (1st floor)
Mondays, starting Sept. 27th 2010 - Dec. 20th 2010 (12 times total)
10:30am - 12:00pm
￥7,200 and￥500 for supplies
Korean Language Course: Entry Level
Start off by learning hangul (the korean alphabet), then cultural and historical connections between Korea and Okinawa, and simple survival phrases in Korean.
Urasoe Central Community Center Annex (1st floor)
Fridays, starting Oct. 1st 2010 - Dec. 10th 2010 (11 times total)
7:00pm - 8:30pm
￥7,200 and ￥1,100 for textbook
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Still Taking Applications for Member Friendship Bus Tour
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The UIRA has extended the deadline to join the northern Okinawa bus tour with the South American interns until September 13th. So if you thought you might like to go but missed the deadline, hurry so you don't miss your chance again! I'll be going, so I hope to see you there!
For those of you who haven't heard of it yet, here's the same information about it from below, reposted:
Member Friendship Bus Tour
Make friends with other members, the visitors from South America, and
guests from every country on a trip to the north of Okinawa, including
a visit to the Orion beer factory.
Nago city (Nago Youth House), Onna village (Onna station)
September 18th (Sat) - 19th (Sun), (2 days, 1 night)
￥6,000 (includes cost of bus, facility, three meals and snacks)
Up to 40 people (at least 25 needed)
If you're interested just use your preferred contact method below:
☆ In person ☆
Go to the Urasoe International Relations Association office
☆ By telephone ☆
Call (098) 879-3010
☆By e-mail ☆
E-mail u-kokusai@woody.ocn.ne.jp
(Taken from the UIRA blog)
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Urasoe Art Museum Events for September
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There are thee exhibition events planned for the month of September at the Urasoe Art Museum. All of them are free to attend, so if you're interested in any or all of them, don't let them pass by unattended!
The 34th Children's Picture Drawing Contest
Prizes will be awarded for the best pictures at 2:00pm.
September 4th (Sat), 2010
10:00am - 3:00pm
100 Years: Ryūta Kinjō
The first exclusive exhibition of the renown artist.
September 10th - 12th, 2010
1:00pm - 7:00pm (Friday, 10th) (no entry after 6:30pm)
9:30am - 5:00pm (Saturday, 11th) (no entry after 4:30pm)
9:30am - 4:00pm (Sunday, 12th) (no entry after 3:30pm)
Shinman Yamada Exhibition
An exhibition of Shinman Yamada, the renown ceramist known both in and out of Okinawa.
September 18th (Sat) - October 3rd (Sun), 2010
9:30am - 5:00pm (no entry after 4:30pm)
(Open until 7:00pm on Fridays, no entry after 6:30pm)
(Closed on Mon. September 20th and Thurs. September 23rd)
(Taken from the Urasoe City Homepage)
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Yuntaku Salon - Learn and Chat in Japanese
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Urasoe Social Welfare Center (Near the library and Tedako Hall)
Thursdays, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
(Does not meet the last Thurs. of each month)
Free!
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Every Thursday night, anywhere from 5 to 25 people of varying native languages gather in the volunteer room (to your right after you walk in a bit past the TV) to work on their Japanese. There are several friendly native Japanese volunteers, ready to help you with specific language problems, go through a workbook, or just chat the night away.
It is a very relaxed and informal atmosphere. People typically go off in small groups to do work together, you can stay just as long as you want, and you can even bring some food or other stuff from your home country to share if you like. At least be prepared to enjoy things from other people's countries!
I went for my first time yesterday, and I am excited about going every Thursday that I can from now on. It was a great opportunity to speak Japanese with some very nice people. Hope to see you there!
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Looking for Some Irish Entertainment this Weekend?
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Smuggler's Irish Pub (Homepage)
August 21st (Sat), 2010
8:00pm - 11:00pm
￥500
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Gerard McKinley, the man in charge of the current intermediate English class at the Urasoe International Relations Association, is going to be playing live with his traditional Irish band The Islanders this weekend at Smuggler's in Naha. If you're interested in traditional Irish music, dance or drink, you should come down!
(Translated from the UIRA blog)
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Urasoe Local Goods and Sights Exhibition
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Urasoe Town Hall and Courtyard
August 18th (Wed) - 20th (Fri), 2010
9:00am - 5:15pm (only until 4:00pm on Friday)
Free! (Unless you buy things!)
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| Dozens and dozens of stands showing off and selling local food, drinks, instruments, products and more, with free sample of course! Come and see what great local goods Urasoe has to offer. |
Looking for Club Members!
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To participate in any of the following clubs, please contact the Urasoe International Relations Association by email or phone (098-879-3010) in advance. You must also be a member to participate (annual ￥1,000 fee).
Latin Dance Club BONITA
Started by the Mexican dance teacher Sr. Carlos, you can have fun dancing the salsa and other Latin American dances. You can also show off your dance moves at International Association events!
Sundays, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
English Conversation Club "Happy Smile"
It's an English conversation circle for adults, where having fun is given the highest priority. We talk about Okinawan geography, history and culture in English. All members are welcome! You can contact them at their own e-mail too.
1st & 2nd Mondays, 10:00am - 11:30am (Beginner)
4th Saturdays, 1:00pm - 2:30pm (Intermediate)
English Conversation Club "Yuntaku"
Yuntaku has volunteers from the American bases come and participate in fun tea parties and karaoke get-togethers. Have some fun chatting and singing in English on Tuesdays!
Tuesdays, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Spanish Club "ALEGRIA"
A fun beginners Spanish class taught by Patricia Matayoshi. Everyone gets together and has a fun time studying some Spanish! They are aiming to volunteer and participate at the next Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival.
Wednesdays, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Chinese Conversation Club "Hao Pengyou"
From beginners to intermediates to fluent speakers, all are welcome! The wonderful Yangjian-laoshi who has a special sense of humor is the teacher and she does a wonderful of job teaching while keeping everyone's needs in mind.
Thursdays, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Walking Around Town International Exchange Club
"Fun Walking"
More and more foreigners are coming to live and see the sights in Urasoe. In this club they are aiming to make the city more friendly to people who might not be able to read all of the signs and maps by creating easy to understand ones in English, along with introducing Urasoe's history and culture. The opinions of the foreign members are taken into account when creating the materials.
Once a week they work on translating maps and more, and once a month they walk with foreigners around town and show them where all the cool places are.
Thursdays, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
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Events With the Guests from South America
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RSVP by email or phone (098-879-3010) for either event. An RSVP is necessary by August 31st (Tues) for the Member Friendship Bus Tour.
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South American Cuisine SUDAKA
Talk with Karin and Nathalia, the guests from South America studying in Urasoe, while eating some delicious South American food.
South American Restaurant SUDAKA
September 8th, 2010 (Wed)
7:00pm - 9:00pm
￥1,000 (parking cost not included)
12 people (first come first serve)
Member Friendship Bus Tour
Make friends with other members, the visitors from South America, and guests from every country on a trip to the north of Okinawa, including a visit to the Orion beer factory.
Nago city (Nago Youth House), Onna village (Onna station)
September 18th (Sat) - 19th (Sun), (2 days, 1 night)
￥6,000 (includes cost of bus, facility, three meals and snacks)
Up to 40 people (at least 25 needed)
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Interactive Multicultural Courses
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Interact with people from Vietnam and Malaysia (September), Guatemala (October), Thailand (December) and others in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
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2nd Interactive Course: Vietnam and Malaysia
JICA Okinawa Center Nirai Hall
September 3rd, 2010 (Fri)
7:00pm - 8:30pm
No admission fee, no RSVP necessary
3rd Interactive Course: Guatemala
JICA Okinawa Center Nirai Hall
October 29th, 2010 (Fri)
7:00pm - 8:30pm
No admission fee, no RSVP necessary
4th Interactive Course: Thailand
JICA Okinawa Center Nirai Hall
December 3rd, 2010 (Fri)
7:00pm - 8:30pm
No admission fee, no RSVP necessary
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| Zen'yasai - "Night Before Festival" |
Yafuso Street
July 16th, 2010
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Possibly the youngest folk singer ever to perform at Tedako Matsuri? This photo was taken at the zenyasai or "Night Before Festival" which took place on Yafuso Street on July 16th. |
Asanoura Neighborhood Association Painting Exhibition
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Urasoe Art Museum
July 3rd - 25th, 2010
"Hana Urushi" coffee shop
9:30am - 5:30pm
Free!
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| Come see a variety of paintings by local artists at this special exhibition. |
| Flower/Plant Pressing Class |
Urasoe Recycle Plaza
July 23rd & 30th
9:30am - 12:30pm
￥200
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| Learn how to preserve your favorite flowers & plants for later
viewing in this two-part class for kids and their parents. Please bring
magazines, scissors, and a paper cutter. Call the Urasoe Recycle Plaza
@ 098-861-3196 to reserve a spot (Japanese only). |
| Eco Cooking Class for Families |
Urasoe Recycle Plaza
July 28th
9:30am - 4:30pm (one hour break)
￥500
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| Learn to make vegetable chijimi, dumplings, and lassi with other
environmentally conscious participants. Don't forget to bring an apron,
a bandanna, and a towel to wipe your hands on! Call the Urasoe Recycle
Plaza @ 098-861-3196 to reserve a spot (Japanese only). |
| Sign Language Dance Class |
Urasoe Central Community Center
July 31st - Sept. 18th (Saturdays, 8 sessions total)
10:00am - 12:00pm
Free!
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| If you don't think sign language is difficult enough, why not try
synchronizing it to rhythmic dance? Don't forget to stretch out your
hands beforehand! Please call the Urasoe Central Community Center at
098-876-1234 (extension 6661) to register. |
| Calimba Making Class |
Urasoe Recycle Plaza
August 8th
9:30am - 12:30pm
￥350
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| This class for kids and parents will teach you how to make a calimba
(African thumb piano). Please bring one metal coat hanger for each
calimba you plan to make. Call the Urasoe Recycle Plaza @ 098-861-3196
to reserve a spot (Japanese only). |
| Have kids? Looking for something fun to do in Urasoe? |
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The Events Calendar on Urasoe City's home page is a great place to find
out about events happening at local children's centers, community
centers, and other public facilities. There is so much material it
won't fit it on this page, but if you have a Japanese-reading friend
available, why not sit down and have a look?
Urasoe Citizens Event Calendar (Japanese) |
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