Remote Okinawa islands seek public attention, tourism

August Dance is a traditional annual performance by residents of Tarama Island that has the status of an “Intangible Cultural Asset.”

Okunawa Tourism, Products and Traditional Performing Arts Fair opens tomorrow at the Okinawa Times Building, with five remote islands banding together to focus attention on their customs, culture and tourism products.

Condiments produced on various remote islands.

Called Okunawa tourism, the five remote islands –Aguni, Tonaki, Kita-daito, Minami-daito and Trama– gather together to draw attention to the fact that they have the least number of people visiting, and wanting to do something about it.

Organizers of the festival say it sometimes is not easy to get local goods of the islands, so this is the good chance to get to know them.  They have food sections with many kinds of Soba, goat soup, brown sugar, Miso, Rum and more.  Opening ceremonies are tomorrow morning at 10:40 a.m.  The Okunawa Tourism and Products elements of the show are on the 1st ~ 3rd floors of the Okinawa Times Building, 2-2-2 Kumoji, Naha City.  Admission is free, and people might find unique and rare local products.

At the hall, Okinawa folk performing art show will take place for two stages at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday.  Admission is ¥2,000. The festival is open 11 a.m. ~ 7 p.m. tomorrow, 10 a.m. ~ 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. on Sunday.

07:53 29 Mar , 2024