Fishing, music accent 40th Motobu Ocean Festival

Aside from water-related competitions the main events of Motobu Ocean Festival take place in Tancha park near Motobu’s Toguchi Fishing Port.

The three-day 40th Anniversary version of the Motobu Ocean Festival takes place this weekend, August 9th through 11th.

Plenty of Ryukyu culture is going to be on display in Motobu this weekend.

Admission is free for the festival, which takes place at both Tancha Park in Motobu, 446-2 Tancha, and at the Toguchi Fishing Port tomorrow, as the evening festival, Saturday and Sunday. The festival grounds open at 11 a.m. but Friday night’s program begins at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday the festival runs 11 a.m. ~ 9:10 p.m. Bullfighting leads the events, from 6 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Saturday kicks off with the Fish Snatching Competition at Toguchi Fishing Port at 11 a.m., followed by the water sumo contest, also at Toguchi Fishing Port.  The

Motobu being an old fishing town, Haarii or a Dragon Boat race is an essential part of the festival.

sumo competition runs three hours.  Banana Boat and Glass-Bottom Boat free rides are offered from 1 to 5 p.m., as are free “Sabani” sailboat rides throughout the afternoon. The Kids Tricycle Race takes place at 5 p.m. next to Tancha Park.

Programs at the main site Saturday begin at 3 p.m. with opening ceremonies, followed by the Motobu Kids Show and NepheUn.  The Orion Beer Good Taste Competition is at 5:30 p.m., and Kaguyahimo performs at 6:30 p.m.  Yuki Yamazato’s Okinawan Folk Song Show is at 7:20 p.m., followed by the fan lottery.  Rounding out the entertainment at 8:30 p.m. is Motobu Yae Sakura Group and Motobu Kids Yae Sakura.

Sunday opens at 8 a.m. with the Motobu Big Three Sea Fishing Competition from Toguchi Fishing Port. The three-prong event includes Kayak fishing competition, off-shore angling competition and parents-kids raft fishing competition.  The Harii races get under way at noon at Toguchi Fishing Port, while the Motor Show starts at 2 p.m. next to the main place.  The Motobu Ocean Festival All Island Sumo Competition begins at 4 p.m. on the gateball field in Tancha Park.  Look for the street procession, also at 5

At the main festival site, the Sound Stage performs at 1:30 p.m., followed by the fan lottery and then the Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger Show at 3:30 p.m.  Ninjunusunawai follows at 5 p.m. and the Mottobull Street Dance Show at 6:50 p.m.  Tamanchu, a street performance, entertains at 7:55 p.m., followed by the fan lottery and the Motobu Special Collaboration.

This festival aims at friendship between townsmen, while sending the theme “the sun, the sea, and the town of green-sightseeing culture” both inside and outside Okinawa Prefecture.  Motobu uses this festival to promote its tourism and sightseeing events.

20:39 28 Mar , 2024