Children enjoy a muddy rice paddy as a playground at Tanbo Fest.

This Sunday’s Tanbo Festa in Kin town is aimed at everyone, but especially for kids, it is an event ‘not to miss.’

Visitors eat Nagashi Somen from a stream in a bamboo chute.

Tambo means a ‘rice paddy’ but this community-sponsored festival has very little to do with the traditional rice farming that has anyways all but disappeared from Okinawa. Instead, it’s a fun-filled day that is built around another aspect of rice cultivation, mud.

The festival takes place on the grounds of Kin Nature Mirai-kan (Future Hall). Besides a mud playground that is built on a traditional rice paddy, there are 15 more experience-based activities. Entrance to the festival area is free, but participation to the activities costs between ¥300 and ¥1,000 each depending on activity. The festival runs from 10 a.m. ~ 6 p.m. Free parking is available at Kin Hamada Port. The Nature Mirai-kan facility is located at http://goo.gl/maps/XFJ65.

Programs available include playing inside the paddy field ¥300 per person, and it is recommended for bring fresh change of clothes, towel, and goggles. Showers are available for ¥200.

Canoeing ¥500~¥1,000 with beginners welcome to participate, Banana boat rides are ¥500 per person.

Besides plenty of mud, the festival has other attractions, too.

Other activities include glass bottom boat trips, buffalo wagon rides, nagashi somen eating, shisa painting, coral sand photo frame making and ‘shima zhouri’ (sandal) carving, among others.

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