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Ishigaki Island's Cafe Taniwha * カフェたにふぁ@石垣島
Welcome to Cafe TANIWHA! カフェたにふぁへようこそ!
(日本語は、英文の後で) Cafe Taniwha is located right at the center of the universe, so you might be surprised that it is not mentioned in "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". The reason is simple: Ford Prefect could not foresee the future, and not long after the book had been printed a new planet earth existantiated, and here it is where Cafe Taniwha was opened.
So... given that the center of the universe is notoriously hard to pin-point, how do people find their way to Cafe Taniwha? It's easy: forget about the center of the universe for a moment and simply pick the most notorious planet in the universe, Earth, where you will find an island called Taiwan. Look for the closest island group to the east of Taiwan and pick out the longest island of that group, which is called Ishigaki (see the arrow at the bottom of the map).
As you approach you will notice in the south of the island a population center with maybe 35,000 inhabitants (pretty much all of whom are earthlings), and in exactly that area you will find Cafe Taniwha, where you can order a meal and a drink in any language known in the universe - but your best bet is using Japanese or English, since these are the languages the owners are most comfortable with.
At Cafe Taniwha there's always music - Salsa from Cuba, Maori warrior songs from New Zealand, American blues or jazz, classical temple music from India - usually from tape or CD but on some weekend nights live.
And then there are the parties... Add to that relaxed chat (local gossip! hehe...), simple but yummy meals, and of course, beer. (^^)
My own connection with Cafe Taniwha goes back to the beginning of 2001, just a few months after it had opened, and it has been one of my bases in Ishigaki since that time. The name "Taniwha" derives from a Maori spirit, with which the owners ("Fusa" and "Kuri" - see the photo below) became acquainted when they - together with their 3 school-age children - traveled on a sailboat in the South Pacific. The kids have flown the nest, but the boat is still around, and if you visit at the right time you might get a chance to join in on one of the sailing excursions that happen from time to time.
Having worked on ships myself, I particularly like the nautical charts on the walls and the occasional encounter with people who come to Ishigaki on a sailboat from far-away and exotic places like Holland, Honolulu, or Hokkaido.
Some guests come here for their regular fix of Awamori (the unique Okinawan spirit), while others come here for coffee and cake, a hot "chai" (Indian style sweet tea), or a chilled goya juice (you gotta come down here to find out what that is). And many come to mingle with pretty gals and handsome guys during weekly salsa night (sorry, no picture: possibly X-rated), while some hardy (nerdy?) souls even come here for a late-night conversation class in Spanish or English.
And not to forget: beer...!
This homepage (not the cafe) is "under construction", as it were...
This means, there'll be a bit more info coming up here in due time - in the meantime let's try to get some intercultural drinki.. exchange going here...
(Keep scrolling down for comments and more pictures...)
By the way (just in case you are a "mixi" user), Taniwha is also on "mixi":
MIXI でも訪問できますよ! カフェたにふぁ / Cafe Taniwha
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