Singer-songwriter Rio Higashisato
Rio Aizato, who has been active for 20 years as part of the sanshin and guitar unit "Yanawaraba" with her childhood friend Yu Ishigaki, is currently based in Osaka while raising her children. During her visit home, Rio showed us some of her favorite places on the island.
She said she always went to and from her alma mater, Yaeyama High School, through the back gate. The line "the usual slope" in the lyrics of Yanawaraba's song "Aoi Takara" refers to this slope. "I used to go down this street every day to eat lunch at my grandmother's house nearby during lunchtime. It's a slope full of memories."
Rio peeks out at her alma mater, Yaeko High School.
Approximately 5 minutes by car
Big One is a discount store chain with locations throughout Okinawa Prefecture. "It has a really nice local feel. After my piano lessons, which were nearby, I would always look at coloring books here while waiting for my parents to pick me up."
Approximately 5 minutes by car
Rio always used this place as her playground, right in front of her grandmother's house. The two large banyan trees in the garden are still a vivid image of her childhood. The song "The Banyan Tree" is based on these banyan trees.
"I used to play by hanging from the bark of the banyan tree."
Approximately 5 minutes by car
This is a corner of the port that was a ferry terminal until 2007, before the current remote island terminal was built. I often took a boat from here to go to Taketomi Island, my ancestral island, and it's a place full of memories for me because my grandfather was one of the people who helped launch Yaeyama Kanko Ferry. "I liked the chaotic atmosphere back then. It's a scene that left a strong impression on me."
Approximately 15 minutes by car
Located on a hill in Shinkawa, this is the main branch of Mirumiru Honpo, run by a classmate. The view overlooking Nagura Bay and the nearby islands is fantastic, and it's a spot I always bring my friends to. They have many kinds of gelato that change with the seasons, and I try a different flavor every time I visit.
This shop is directly operated by the farm and serves gelato made with fresh raw milk.
Born in Hamasaki-cho, Ishigaki City.
After graduating from Yaeko High School, she went on to a music vocational school in Osaka, where she formed Yanawaraba with her childhood friend Yu Ishigaki, who was also attending the same school. They made their major debut in 2003 and were active in various music scenes. They disbanded in 2020, and now each member is pursuing a solo career.