Growing up on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa shaped much more than my childhood environment. It sparked a deep and lasting passion for Japanese culture that continues to guide my interests and studies today. Living in Okinawa gave me a unique window into East Asian traditions, history, and daily life. This blog is my way of sharing that journey and offering an educational space to dive deeper into Japanese culture. Traditional Okinawan Shisa statues at a temple entrance Early Exp