Singer-songwriter Azuma Rio
Aizato Rio has been performing with his childhood friend Ishigaki Yu as part of the sanshin and guitar unit "Yanawaraba" for 20 years. Currently, he is based in Osaka while raising his children. During a visit back home, Rio showed us around some memorable places on the island.
Apparently, he always went to and from his 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. "During my lunch break, I would walk down this street every day to eat lunch at my grandmother's house nearby. It's a slope full of memories."
Rio looks at her alma mater, Yae High School.
Approximately 5 minutes by car
Big One is a discount store with locations throughout Okinawa Prefecture. "It has a really local feel to it. After piano lessons, which were located nearby, I would always come here to look at coloring books while waiting for my parents to pick me up."
Approximately 5 minutes by car
Located right in front of his grandmother's house, Rio always used this place as a playground. The two large banyan trees in the garden are a childhood scene that still pops into his mind. The song "Gajumaru no Ki" (Gajumaru Tree) is based on these banyan trees.
"I often played by hanging from the beard of the banyan tree."
Approximately 5 minutes by car
Before the current remote island terminal was built, this corner of the port was the ferry terminal until 2007. I often boarded the boat from here to go to Taketomi Island, where my roots lie, and my grandfather was also one of the people who started the Yaeyama Tourist Ferry, so it's a place that holds many memories for me. "The eclectic atmosphere back then was great. It's a scene that left a strong impression on me."
Approximately 15 minutes by car
Located on a hill in Shinkawa, the main store of Miru Miru Honpo is run by a classmate. With a spectacular view of Nagura Bay and the nearby islands, it's a spot where friends often come. There are many different types of gelato available depending on the season, and each time they visit, they try a different flavor.
This shop is directly operated by a farm and serves gelato made with fresh raw milk.
Born in Hamasakicho, Ishigaki City. After graduating from Yae High School, he went on to a music college in Osaka and formed Yanawaraba with his childhood friend, Yu Ishigaki, who also attended the same school. They made their major debut in 2003 and have been active in various music scenes. They disbanded in 2020, and now each pursues a solo career.