Okinawan culture

Okinawa is famous for goya (bittergourd). One of the signature Okinawan dishes is goya champoru:

Goya is supposed to be very good for your health and is popular among the Japanese mainlanders as well. I don't like it...too bitter! Thank goodness they add luncheon meat in the goya champoru to provide a bit of salty relief.

The famous Okinawan goya also manifests in the form of goya chips, goya ice-cream, goya mochi, goya tea, a goya stuffed toy mascot called Goya Man, plastic goya keyrings and ornaments to hang on your cellphone...and street benches!

三線 Sanshin - the traditional Okinawan musical instrument. Like a guitar but with only 3 strings, hence the name sanshin, which means 3 strings. Used in many Okinawan folk songs.

Fell in love with a couple of Okinawan songs. They are not traditional Okinawan folk songs but contain a distinct Okinawan flavour in them. Have a listen...hope you like them (you can hear the sanshin being played in both):

1. 島人ぬ宝 shimanchu nu takara (treasure of island people) by BEGIN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZZVcdZlz2I

2. 島唄 shima uta (island song) by The Boom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxbudEKM7wU (If you look at the comments section under the video clip, someone actually translated the lyrics of the song)