Welcome

This blog was created in 2014 by 2nd-year English Writing students at Meio University in Okinawa, Japan. Meio is located in the town of Nago, in Yanbaru, the northern region of Okinawa. Nago rests on the edge of the Nago Bay, facing southwest toward the East China Sea. Each year, students in the English writing classes will add to the site.

We created this site in order to introduce Nago and the surrounding area to English-speaking visitors from around the world. We especially would like to welcome students from other universities who are interested in studying at Meio. Nago is a great place to live. There is a lot to do here, but it still has a "small town" feel. It is surrounded by beautiful nature, both on sea and land. It is also only a short bus-ride or drive from the bigger cities of Okinawa, Chatan, Naha, and others, or from the famous Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu.

We have written about our favorite restaurants, sweet shops, tourist attractions, scenic locations, and more. We hope that you will come visit Nago and discover how beautiful it is, just as we have.

Welcome!

2018 Thursday Class

We are: Ayana, Mifuyu, Masaru, Aileen, Yusuke, Ibuki, Yumi, Keiya, Kentaro, Shogo, Aya, Lisa, Yumeno, Ayaka, Tam, Haruka N., Ginnosuke, Yuichi, Hana, Haruka M., Rina, Kana, Kumiko

2018 Friday Class

We are: Momoko, Nana, Ryunosuke, Sae, Shiho, Kurumi, Kyoko, Nozomi, Mai, Yu, Chiho, Maiko, Otoka, Nanami, Rio, Utana, Kei, Hikari, Ryo, Yuri, Tsubasa, Junpei

2018 Friday Class

We are: Kohei, Miyu, Nanami, Daiki A., Kasumi, Miki, Daiki U., Nagi, Eiko, Toranosuke, Mikoto, Yukari, Sana, Erisa, Kira, Taiki, Genya, Reika, Hana, Yuko

2017 Monday Class

We are: Yuna, Haruka, Yuka, Sayaka, Ryunoshin, Issei, Yang, Saya, Yuna, Mia, Ayano, Ayaka, Konomi

2017 Thursday Class

We are: Sayaka, Takaaki, Kouki, Sawa, Sena, Souken, Ryoga, Rinko, Mai, Satomi, Sachie, Yurika, Ayame, Ayumi, Ryo, Rio, Yuta, Yuika, Naoki, Yu, Yuki, Aika, Mine, Hiromasa, Moriyuki

2017 Friday Class

We are: Kazuaki, Yuko, Hiromi, Yosuke, Hikaru, Airen, Maya, Katsunori, Yumi, Shota, Shota, Toshiya, Mizuki, Kafu, Suzuka, Ryo, Takehiro, Asuka, Natsuki, Etsushi, Ryuto, Mukai, Ayano, Yuriko, Seiya, Sayuri, Natsumi, Minami, Yuya, Kohei, Riku, Hikari, Chihiro, Mika

2016 Monday Class

We are: Risa, Moussa, Nozomi, Natsu, Aya, Hana, Yuka, Taira, Yoshino, Towa, Shinki, Maria, Akio, Anna, Tatsuki, Karen, Takumi, Soshiro, Yuuto, Kotaro, Madoka, Ryoki, Kaede, Nanase, Honoka, Daiki, Ayaka, Nanase, Risako, Atsushi, Akari, Akira

2016 Thursday Class

We are: Rui, Kakeru, Katsuki, Nozomi, Saho, Arina, Hibiki, Taito, Hayato, Riona, Maho, Shuhei, Riko, Takuma, Haruka, Minami, Kenya, Suzuno, Hirokazu, Ai, Yasuka, Jirasak (Jay), Hisao, and Marina

2016 Friday Class

We are: Saori, Haruka, Misato, Yusuke, Rin, Nao, Nagisa, Aimi, Kohei, Tamaki, Yuya, Sho, Naomi, Yua, Minami, Sebastian, Shinpei, Eiichi, Hijiri, Hajime, Himika, Reina, Ayaka, Nagisa, Yurie, Ren, Erina, Masahiro, Haruka, Sawa, Rimi, Emi, Shigeyuki, and Jina

2015 Thursday Class

We are: Yurie, Aya, Yukari, Kenji, Satoe, Fuya, Risa, Keiichiro, Yasuki, Saori, Kayla, Miyu, Makoto, Ruka, Miyu, Yurika, Rei, Masaki, Kosuke, James, Nanami, Shinnosuke, Teruko, Yuna, Misuzu, Gao, Saruka, Shogo, and Stone

2015 Friday Class

We are: Yukine, Airi, Chinatsu, Kazuki, Ryo, Takeru, Takahiro, Daigo, Ayaka, Daichi, Marina, Yoshitaka, Tatsuya, Emi, Yuji, Natsuki, Hikari, Ruki, Rino, Ayaka, Miyu, Yumi, Kaito, Ronshi, Ketsukei, Michiru, Seishiro, Saki, Akino, Yuzuna, Keita, Hayato, Saki, and Daichi

2014 Tuesday Class


We are: Hampei, Masamitsu, Tokinari, Kanta, Taishin, Haruno, Karen, Keisuke, Ryohei, Aimi, Koki, Yui, Yutaka, Haruka, Chinatsu, Ayuka, Shoko, Arisa, Sakura, Yuka, Mana, Ryoka, Saki, Aoi, Meiko, Takuma, Kodai, Katsuya, Tetsunosuke, Nozomu, Yoichiro, Shinya, Toru, Nariko

2014 Friday Class


We are: Nana, Misaki, Eri, Megumi, Jun, Rena, Natsumi, Ai N., Yuki, Yu, Mitsuki N., Hiroki, Yui, Mitsuki K., Ai T., Shun, Arashi, Phanipuk, Vane, Claire, Jose, Amanda, Cammie, Mika, Mizuki, Airi, Hiromi, Fuko

Snorkeling on Kourijima

Hello guys, have you ever been snorkeling in Okinawa before? If you haven’t, what have you been doing your whole life? We have also never snorkeled before, so we went on the 3^rd of June for the first time. If you are in Okinawa or planning to go, we recommend you do so.

 We went on a rainy day, so we were worried that we couldn’t swim in the sea and see any underwater sights. The wind was a bit strong, so it was a little chilly. Although we were lucky and saw many fish and a lot of coral, we still recommend you go on a sunny day.

To snorkel, there is some equipment you need to prepare. The day before we went, the four of us went to buy water shoes and snorkel masks. You can get them at a local sports shop or Mega Donki.

We wore clothes that were very light and easy to move underwater. You should bring an underwater camera to save the unforgettable memories. Oh! Don’t forget the food and drinks just in case you get hungry. Now that you are prepared, you are ready to go!

The water was cold because we started swimming at 10:30 in the morning.

It is difficult putting on the mask at first so make sure to loosen the belt beforehand or else you will end up like this.

Next, practice breathing underwater with the mask on. It takes time for your body to get used to the water, but when it does, it is very fun. The deeper you go in the ocean, the more beautiful sights you can see. The ocean was so vast, it was like being in outer space. And you will be able to swim with many kinds of fish. here were many fish swimming around us, like Nemo and Dory. It was so close that our fingers almost touched the fish. The hard part was when the water got into the mask and made it hard for us to breathe but the view was so beautiful that it was worth it.

It was our first time to snorkel, so we were very scared, but this experience was fun and exciting. We would like to go again. The oceans of the northern part of Okinawa are especially beautiful. Not only can you see the beautiful ocean of Okinawa, but you can feel it by swimming in it. How about giving it a try?

How to get to Kourijima.
Head toward north on route 58. When you pass by Neo Park, turn left at the second Familymart. Now all you have to do is follow the signboard.

Have a good trip!

Wakage no Itari Village

I know the coolest and funnest place in Nago. Have you ever heard of Wakage no Itari Village?

Concept

Japanese society has a problem which is local depopulation. As a solution, Wakage no Itari Village is thinking about self-sufficiency to fulfill all of their supplies, and curbing population outflow to the city to help with survival in the local areas. And they are making an example community.　

These are their slogans.

• Make the future which we want, by ourselves.
• Do interesting things which will impress everyone.
• Do it now, without hesitation.

Activities

Raising Rice and Organic Vegetables--They raise rice at Kayo, nearby the village. At the time of harvest, many local people join and help. And they also raise organic vegetables at the village.

Music Festival--They held a music festival. In total, about 200 to 300 people participated. It was so powerful and a very interesting festival.

Manufacturing Workshop--Sometimes, they hold manufacturing workshops. They make houses, Sanshin, furniture, and many other things.

Location

Wakage no Itari Village is in Futami, Nago city, Okinawa prefecture, near Henoko base. It takes about 30 minutes from the center of Nago city to the Wakage no Itari Village by car.