Final Decolonizing Futures Conference in Ryukyus/Okinawa Updates: Call for Abstracts Reminder and Travel & Accommodation Details

Hiroshi Maruyama - Director -

Thank you again for considering or deciding to attend our final Decolonising Futures conference. We do hope to work with you to lay the foundations for an era of hope for future generations.

First, we would like to remind that: The number of words in the abstracts is limited to 100-150; Authors must include the title, affiliation, email-address, and 4-5 keywords in the abstracts; The completed abstract should be submitted to Olivia Doyle (olivia.s.doyle@gmail.com) before 31st May, 2025.

Secondly, for attendees, we have compiled recommendations for accommodation and easy access to each venue as follows.

Accommodation Recommendations
Okinawa offers a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hotels to more luxurious stays. We recommend choosing a hotel or guesthouse in Naha or Ginowan, as these areas offer convenient access to the event venues via public transportation.

• Naha: Ideal for those who prefer easy access to Okinawa’s main airport and a variety of restaurants and cultural sites.
• Ginowan: Closer to Okinawa International University and offers a quieter environment.
• Urasoe: Suitable for those attending events at Urasoe Art Museum and Mekaru Base.

Venue Access Information
WARNING: In Okinawa, traffic is often very heavy. Buses frequently run late, sometimes by more than 30 minutes. Please allow extra travel time and consider using the Monorail or taxis whenever possible.

Urasoe Art Museum (Interdisciplinary Seminar with Visual Arts – July 8-9, 2025)
Address: 1 Chome-9-2 Nakama, Urasoe, Okinawa 901-2103, Japan
Access:
See their official guide for further details: https://urasoe-artmuseum.jp/en/
• By Bus:
o From Omoromachi area: Take bus No. 21 (Shintoshin Gushikawa Line) and get off at "Ohira" bus stop (5-min walk).
o From Kokusai Street: Take bus No. 90 (Chibana Line) or 98 (Ryudai Line) and get off at "Ohira" bus stop (5-min walk). Alternatively, take bus No. 56 (Urasoe Line) and get off at "Bijutsukan-mae" bus stop (5-min walk).
o From Shuri area: Take bus No. 191 (Gusukuma Line) and get off at "Bijutsukan-mae" bus stop (5-min walk).
o From Kainan/Yogi area: Take bus No. 55 (Makiminato Line) and get off at "Bijutsukan-mae" bus stop (5-min walk) or take bus No. 112 (Kokutai Doro Line) and get off at "Ohira" bus stop (5-min walk).
• By Monorail:
o Taxi Transfer:
 Get off at Furujima Station, then take a taxi north along Route 330 toward Ginowan (approx. 4 km, 10 min ride).
 Get off at Urasoe-Maeda Station, then take a taxi (1.9 km to the museum).
o Bus Transfer:
 Get off at Furujima Station, then take a bus from "Furujima Station Bus Stop" (bus No. 88, 21, 90, 98, or 112) and get off at "Ohira" bus stop (5-min walk). Alternatively, take bus No. 55 and get off at "Bijutsukan-mae" bus stop (5-min walk).
 Get off at Urasoe-Maeda Station, then take bus No. 256 or 56 from "Maeda Nishi Iriguchi" and get off at "Bijutsukan-mae" bus stop (5-min walk).
• By Car: Drive 12 km north from Naha Airport along Route 330 or Route 58 toward Ginowan.

Excursion (July 10, 2025)
Details on transportation and meeting points for the excursion will be provided once finalized.

Mekaru Base (Performing Arts for an Era of Hope – July 11, 2025)
Address: 203 Mekaru, Naha, Okinawa
Access:
See their official website for further details (no English page available): https://www.m-base.okinawa/access/
• By Monorail: Get off at Furujima Station and walk approximately 8 minutes.
• By Bus: Several Bus stops around the venue. Please use Google Map to navigate your way.
• By Taxi: From Naha Airport, a taxi ride to Mekaru Base takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around ¥2,500.
• Parking: There is no parking available at Mekaru Base. Visitors are advised to use nearby coin-operated parking or public transportation.

Okinawa International University (Presentations and Panel Discussions on Indigenous Languages with Films – July 12-13, 2025)
Address: 2 Chome-6-1 Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2701, Japan
Access:
For more details, visit their official website: https://www.okiu.ac.jp/english/access
• By Bus:
o From Naha Airport: Take bus No. 125 from Kokunaisen Ryokaku Terminal Mae (in front of the international passenger terminal). Get off at "Nagata" and walk 7 minutes. (Approx. 70 min / ¥620)
o By Monorail & Bus: Get off at Asahibashi Station (11 min / ¥270), then transfer to a route bus at Naha Bus Terminal (bus No. 90, 92, 98, 110, 21, 25, 120, 191, etc.), which takes approximately 50 min (¥570 - ¥610) depending on the route.
o By Taxi: A direct taxi ride from Naha Airport takes approximately 40 minutes and costs around ¥2,500.

We encourage attendees to plan their accommodations and transportation in advance to ensure a smooth and enriching experience. Should you require additional assistance, feel free to reach out to the event organizers.