Super Sanshin is a prominent music store and cultural hub located in Naha, Okinawa, specializing in the traditional three-stringed instrument called the sanshin. Established in 1973, it has played a key role in preserving and promoting Okinawan folk music, offering instruments, lessons, and live performances. The shop also houses
Gifu Castle
Gifu Castle, originally built by the Saito clan in the 13th century, is a historic Japanese fortress perched atop Mount Kinka in Gifu Prefecture. It gained prominence in the 16th century when the warlord Oda Nobunaga captured it and used it as a base for his campaign to unify Japan, renaming it from “Inabayama Castle” to “Gifu Castle.” Today, the reconstructed castle serves as a museum and offers panoramic views of the surrounding city and Nagara River.
Nagara River
The Nagara River, located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its pristine waters and the traditional art of cormorant fishing (ukai), which has been practiced there for over 1,300 years. Historically, the river has been an important transportation route and a source of sustenance, with its clear streams supporting local fisheries and agriculture. Today, it remains a cherished natural and cultural landmark, attracting visitors for its scenic beauty and historic fishing performances.
Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle, originally constructed in 1612 by the Tokugawa shogunate, served as a key military and political stronghold during the Edo period. The castle was largely destroyed in World War II air raids, but its iconic main keep was reconstructed in 1959 using modern materials. Today, it stands as a historic landmark and museum, showcasing samurai artifacts and offering panoramic views of Nagoya.
Ise Grand Shrine
The Ise Grand Shrine, located in Mie Prefecture, Japan, is the most sacred Shinto shrine in the country, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Its history dates back over 2,000 years, and it is famous for the tradition of *shikinen sengū*—the ritual rebuilding of the shrine’s main structures every 20 years, which has been practiced for centuries to symbolize renewal and preserve ancient building techniques. The shrine complex consists of two main sites, Naikū and Gekū, and attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors annually.
Tokaido road
The Tōkaidō road was one of the five major routes of Edo-period Japan, connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto along the Pacific coast. Established in the early 17th century under the Tokugawa shogunate, it served as a vital artery for travel, commerce, and the movement of feudal lords under the sankin-kōtai system. Today, its historic path is famously celebrated in ukiyo-e art, such as Hiroshige’s “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō,” and many sections are preserved as modern highways and cultural heritage sites.
Edo
Edo, the former name of Tokyo, was the political and cultural center of Japan during the Tokugawa shogunate from 1603 to 1868. It grew from a small fishing village into one of the world’s largest cities, known for its vibrant merchant culture, strict social hierarchy, and the iconic Edo Castle. The city was renamed Tokyo after the Meiji Restoration, when the imperial capital moved from Kyoto.
Kyoto
Kyoto, once the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, is a city renowned for its profound cultural and historical significance. It is home to thousands of classical Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, and traditional wooden houses, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Despite being spared from much of World War II’s destruction, the city preserves a rich legacy of Japanese art, tea ceremonies, and geisha culture that continues to attract global visitors.
Super Sanshin
Super Sanshin is a traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument shop located in Naha, Okinawa, dedicated to crafting and selling sanshin, a key element of Okinawan folk music. Its history is rooted in the preservation and promotion of the Ryukyuan musical tradition, which dates back centuries and was influenced by Chinese instruments. The shop offers custom-made instruments, repairs, and lessons, serving both local musicians and visitors interested in experiencing Okinawan culture.