OC Tokyo's Sachi chronicles her escape to the stunningly beautiful southern region of Japan, Okinawa!

Summer was almost over, but I wanted to have fun for a bit longer by escaping to the southern most part of Japan––Okinawa. The Okinawa region consists of hundreds of tiny islands, some of which have the most beautiful beaches in the world. I decided to visit three of the Yaeyama islands on my trip: Kohama, Taketomi, and Ishigaki.

On Kohama island, there's a street called Sugar Road (fittingly named because sugarcane is one of Kohama's main agricultural products), which is lined with incredible sugarcane stalks. Instead of using a car, we decided to ride bicycles to discover every corner Sugar Road and the rest of the small island. There was nothing between us, the endless road, blue sky, and pleasant breeze. We then made our way to a mountain called Ufudaki, where the view from the top was totally breathtaking. The Haimurubushi Resort, where we stayed, has a private beach––and our views of the sunset were too beautiful to ever forget. MORE

FILED UNDER: I'LL TAKE YOU THERE , okinawa , japan , TRAVEL , OCTOKYO , JAPANESE LANGUAGE , SACHIKO MURAYAMA

I'd been dreaming of getting away from my everyday life with my best friends, and we finally made it happen! Guam has became one of the Japanese's favorite destinations for blue skies, emerald waters, and relaxing times. It's just 3.5 hours away and it provides all of the relaxation one needs. See why Guam is now one of my favorite places to come back to every year!

小学生からの親友５人組でずっと行きたかった旅行がやっと実現しました！平凡な生活を抜け出し私達が選んだ先は・・・グアム！日本人には旅行先としてお馴染みになったグアムは、青い空とエメラルド色の海、そして何よりただひたすらリラックスできる最高の場所です。たった３時間３０分しか飛行機でかからないこのパラダイスは、全てを満たしてくれる魔法の場所。毎年訪れたくなってしまったグアムの魅力をご紹介します！ MORE

FILED UNDER: I'll Take You There , Guam , Travel , OCTokyo , Japanese Language , Sachiko Murayama

For my parents' birthday, my family got together for dinner at Zen ånn, a restaurant hidden deep in the Shinjyuku district of Tokyo. Inside, the restaurant's antique lamps and ceramic trinkets lend the place a homey and comforting feel. The place is pretty quiet, except for the sizzling of the hot plates used for the Teppanyaki dishes the restaurant is known for. Every dish--from the miso soup garnished with wasabi tofu to the pickled ume to the smooth dessert sorbet--was delicious. Try it out the next time you're downtown! MORE

FILED UNDER: Zen ånn , octokyo , tokyo , japan , travel , food , just eat it , ryutaro yabe , japanese language

I recently went to eat at my favorite restaurant called AIAI, which specializes in Okinawan cuisine. The chef, who's from Okinawa, serves up enjoyable local specialities like Soki Yakisoba, chicken, mimiga (pig ears), sea grapes, and Rahutei bowls. My favorite thing there is the amazing red potato french fries! If you ever have a chance to come to Tokyo, I highly recommend checking out this place!
 
先日、友達が働いている藹藹(アイアイ)とゆう、沖縄料理を食べに行ってきました。沖縄の方がやっていらっっしゃるお店とゆうことで、本場の料理が味わえ るお勧めのお店です。ソーキソバ、ジャークチキン、ミミガー、うみぶどう、らふてい丼、全部おいしいですが、一番お勧めなのは、紅芋のフレンチポテトで す。ほんのり甘いポテトが新鮮で、やみつきになります。日本に来たら絶対に行ってみてください！ MORE

FILED UNDER: rie yamada , AIAI , tokyo , japan , just eat it , food , taro kando , octokyo

At this time of year here in Japan, people celebrate spring by getting together to go see the cherry blossoms in season, a custom we call "Hanami." I got the chance to do this at Yoyogi Park on one of my recent days off. Not far from the park is Arms Sandwiches, a hamburger shop with absolutely delicious burgers. Their hand-grilled patties (always juicy on the inside) come with a side of their crispy, wedge-shaped fries. The avocado-mushroom cheeseburger certainly blew my mind. Blossoms + burgers? A great way to take in the spring. MORE

FILED UNDER: octokyo , food , arms sandwiches , just eat it , tokyo , japan , japanese language

It's been a month since Japan was hit by the earthquake and tsunami--both of which still seem unreal to me. Here in Tokyo, life is getting back to the way it used to be, slowly but surely. Every day on the TV, it's common to hear about victims of the catastrophe keeping their strength up. The only thing I can do is send my support and wish for the Tohoku area to recover sometime in the near future.
 
I've been moved to tears by all of the support from around the world. The OC team in the U.S. has been so supportive with its FUNDRAISING EVENT and RED CROSS JAPAN T'S. It feels like everyone in the world has come together to help us through this difficult time.
 
But regardless of what has happened, time is also passing. It is now springtime in Japan. The snow has melted, and the cherry blossoms and dandelions have begun to flower, almost as if they were encouraging everyone. I hope these colorful flowers will help bring smiles back to the people who have suffered.

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FILED UNDER: Minabi Chiba , octokyo , help japan , japan , tokyo ,

The Opening Ceremony family would like to send our love and support to Japan in this difficult time. Our ties and love to Japan run deep, with many of our dear friends in the country, as well as our OC Tokyo store. If you would like to help, please contribute to the disaster relief of the Red Cross.

For those that have asked, everyone at OC Japan is safe, and the store is open.   MORE

FILED UNDER: japan , help japan , octokyo

Yui, our OC Tokyo sales associate always decked out in major jewelry, shows off her personal duds and OC picks!

I have been collecting jewelry for the past couple of years. I LOVE Pamela Love's pieces because they are bold designs, and they look great stacked on one finger. I'll also mix and match them with jewelry from other designers like Delfina Delettrez, another favorite of mine. Here are my favorite OC jewelry pieces mixed with some of my own!

二年間前からジュエリーを集め始めました。Pamela Love のごついデザインが大好きで、一つの指に重ね付けしたりするとすごいよく見えます。他に好きなジュエリーデザイナー、Delfina Delettrez等とミックスしたりするのもすごい好きです。オーペニングセレモニーからの私のお気に入りを紹介します!


FILED UNDER: Yui Akutsu , octokyo , staff , japanese language , pamela love , delfina delettrez

My friend Eri came back to Tokyo from NY for the holidays. A fashion addict, she came to visit OC Tokyo every day! Eri just started at the OC offices as an intern. i am so happy that we're both working for the same company!

Full name: Eri Miyagi
Homeland: Tokyo, Japan
Astrological sign: Aquarius on the cusp of Capricorn

Currently obsessed with: Emerald, velvet, and Le Labo candles
Last thing I downloaded on iTunes: "Blitz" by Digitalism
When I was 13, I was wearing: My brother's clothes.
Neighborhood restaurant: Roberta's. Their pizza topped with eggs is the best. MORE

FILED UNDER: Eri Miyagi , OCTokyo , staff , japanese language , meet oc tokyo , Peter Jensen