Okinawa youth showcases local roots of Eisa

NO DATA

Kitanakagusuku Youth Eisa Group shows that the future of the tradition is guaranteed.

If someone missed the big island-wide All Okinawa Eisa Festival a week ago at Okinawa City Athletic Park, local youth groups at five communities showcase their special Eisa style each in their own festivals at their own neighborhoods.

All of the festivals are free to attend and take place at local community centers and sports parks.

About a dozen youth organizations of Ginowan City will bring in their best Eisa performers to show their best moves this weekend at their 20th anniversary event that takes place at Ginowan Citizens’ Square in front of Ginowan City Office from 16:00 to 21:00.

Both on Saturday and Sunday, they’ll demonstrate the dances of each district. Clothing, dance style and type of drums used are all distinctive to each district. A fireworks show is scheduled for both days at 21:00 to close the festival.

Free parking for 300 cars is available near the festival venue.

Kitanakagusuku Village Youth Association Eisa Festival takes place at Kitanakagusuku Castle Site Park on Sunday from 15:00 to 21:00. The festival ends with a fireworks display at 21:00.

Admission to the festival is free. 13 different groups are scheduled to participate in the event that ends with a traditional kachashi, in which everyone is invited to participate.

There is no parking at the Nakagusuku Castle Site Park, but free shuttle buses are running from Shiosai Market, Shimabukuro Community Center, Yagibaru Community Center and AEON Rycom Mall starting from 14:30 Buses leave every 30 minutes from the community centers and every hour from the AEON Mall. The buses leave back on same schedule starting at 15:00, except 10 minutes later to Rycom Mall.

Uruma City Youth Eisa Festival is from 16:30 ~ 21:00 on both Saturday and Sunday at Yonashiro Comprehensive Sports Park. A fireworks display ends the festival at 20:40 on both days.

Nago City has a Youth Eisa Festival at the 21st Century Forest Park on Sep. 3 from 17:30 to 21:00. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be held on Sunday.

Chatan Youth Eisa will be performed for the 37th time at Kuwae Comprehensive Field on Sunday from 17:30 to 21:00. In addition to youth groups from Chatan, visiting Eisa groups from Yomitan and Uruma will take part.