Okinawa, the former Ryuku Kingdom "琉球王国", is the southernmost island group in Japan with a unique culture. Okinawa has historically built up its own unique culture, and in addition to its beautiful sea and nature, it has its own unique food and culture.

The catchphrase of Hvala "一期一会 – Once in a lifetime, once in a moment–" is similar to the Okinawan phrase "いちャりばちょーでー–Ichiribachodee–. Its meaning is "Once you meet, you are all brothers". People value the connection between people, and welcome the people they meet as if they were family. This is the culture of Okinawa.

In this exhibition, we would like to show you the various expressions of Okinawa, from its tradition to the present, as if welcoming you to Hvala as our family. In this exhibition, the various expressions of Okinawa are displayed. On the shelf, traditional Okinawan pottery and "シーサー–Shisa–" the Okinawan guardian lions, welcome you. People value the connection. This is the culture of Okinawa.

The music that plays is Okinawan folk music, a sound that has been passed down from generation to generation as the soul of Okinawa.

At Hvala, tarts and ice cream made with Okinawan sweet purple potato, which represent Okinawa, are available for a limited time.

Please feel Okinawa with your eyes, ears and tongue.

Shisa craftsmen
Shisa - シーサー - are guardian gods that ward off evil and misfortune, and can be seen everywhere, on the roofs of houses and public buildings. From devilish forms to gentle faces, round or slender, are they similar to the faces of craftsmen? Please look out for Shisa when you visit Okinawa.

シーサー職人
シーサーは魔物や災いを追い払う守り神として、家の屋根や公共施設などいたるところで見ることができます。鬼のような形相から優しい顔つき、丸々だったりスレンダーだったり、職人さんの顔と似ているのでしょうか？ぜひ沖縄に来たときにお気に入りを探してみてください。

Ryuso Wedding
Ryuso - 琉装 - costumes were worn by the nobility during the Ryukyu Kingdom - 琉球王国 - and are now customarily worn at weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies and other events.

琉装ウェディング
琉装は琉球王国時代の貴族が着ていたもので、現在は卒業式や成人式などの行事に着用する習慣があります。また、琉装ウエディングも人気になってきています。

Shureimon
The Shureimon -守礼門 - is a ceremonial, Chinese-style wooden gate located close to Shuri Castle - 首里城 -. It was built by the order of King Sho Sei between 1527 and 1555, and is one of the most famous and widely recognized symbols of Okinawa.

守礼門首里城の近くにある、中国風の木造の門です。1527年から1555年にかけて尚誠王の命により建てられ、沖縄のシンボルとして最も有名で広く認識されているものの一つです。

Kachashi
Kachashi - カチャーシー - is a type of Okinawan festive folk dance. Accompanied by sanshin and taiko drums, it is danced by all participants at celebratory occasions such as ending of weddings and community events. If you happen to be there, we would love to see you join in the fun.

カチャーシー
カチャーシーとは、沖縄の祝祭民俗舞踊の一種です。三線と太鼓の伴奏で、結婚式や地域のイベントなど、おめでたい席最後に参加者全員で踊られます。皆さんもぜひ参加してみてください。。

Hanagasa
Hanagasa - 花笠 - is a brightly coloured hat worn by women who perform traditional Okinawan dances. It is used in the traditional slow dance to pray for hope and peace in Okinawa. The red colour represents the hibiscus flower, the blue colour represents the sky and the silver colour represents the waves of the sea, these are the elements found in the Okinawan landscape.

花笠
花笠は、沖縄の伝統舞踊を踊る女性がかぶる色鮮やかな帽子です。沖縄の希望と平和を祈る伝統的なスローダンスで使用されます。赤色はハイビスカスの花、青色は空、銀色の海の波表し、沖縄の風景がを表しています。

Ryuso
Ryukyuan costumes were influenced by the trading relations with Japan, China and many countries in Southeast Asia during the Ryukyu Kingdom - 琉球王国 -. They are brightly coloured and each design has its own meaning.

琉装
琉球衣装は、琉球王国時代に日本、中国や東南アジアとの多くの国との交易関係から影響を受けています。色鮮やかでそれぞれの絵に意味が込められています。。

Beautiful beaches in Okinawa
Okinawa is home to some of the clearest waters in the world. Drive along the sea, watch the sunset on the sand. Of course, it is also famous for snorkelling and diving. Proposing with ocean view in Okinawa is the way to go!

沖縄の美しい海
沖縄には、世界でも有数の透明度を誇る海がたくさんあります。海沿いをドライブ、砂浜で夕日を眺めたり。もちろんシュノーケルやダイビングも有名です。沖縄の海でのプロポーズはお勧めです！！

Eisa
Eisa - エイサー - is a traditional Okinawan drum dance. It is a wonderful dance in which men beat their drums to the accompaniment of sanshin and song. It is often performed during the Obon (Japanese Hungry Ghost Festival) and the songs and dances vary from region to region.

エイサー
エイサーは沖縄の伝統的な太鼓踊りです。三線と唄に合わせて、男たちが太鼓を打ち鳴らす素晴らしい踊りです。お盆に行われることが多く、歌や踊りは地域によって様々です。

Fireworks festival in Okinawa
Japan's earliest fireworks displays take place in Okinawa. It signals the arrival of summer. The fireworks are always accompanied by music performances and attract many spectators from all over Okinawa and abroad. We hope you will come to Okinawa one day to see the fireworks.

花火祭り
日本で最も早い花火大会は沖縄で行われます。それは夏の到来を告げます。花火はいつも音楽演奏とともに打ち上げられ、沖縄県内外から多くの観客を集めています。皆さんもいつか沖縄に花火を見に来てください。

Taketomi island
There are over 40 inhabited islands in Okinawa.Among them, Taketomi Island has a beautifully preserved small traditional red-tiled village.You can take a leisurely stroll around the small village on a water buffalo, which is a popular tourist activity.

竹富島
沖縄には40を超える有人島があります。その中でも竹富島は、小さな伝統的な赤瓦の集落が美しく保存されています。その小さな集落を水牛に乗ってのんびり散策できるのが、人気の観光アクティビティです。

Purple sweet potato
We hope you enjoy this Okinawan purple sweet potato dessert brought to you by Hvala & Okinawan Prefectural Office Singapore ;)

紅芋
Hvala＆沖縄県シンガポール事務所がお届けする沖縄の紫芋のデザートをぜひお楽しみください ;)