Weekend Tomarin Fest promotes outer islands

Tomarin Fest features plenty of music every day.

Tomarin Fest features plenty of music every day.

Okinawan Sumo tournaments for both kids and adults are held Sunday.

Okinawan Sumo tournaments for both kids and adults are held Sunday.

Tomarin is the gateway to outer islands off Okinawa, as it’s the port, from which ferries to islands of Tokashiki, Zamami, Aguni, Tonaki, Kumejima, Minami-Daito, and Kita-Daito depart and arrive at. The landmark of the port is Tomarin Kariyushi Urban Resort Naha, a large hotel the looms over the ferry port. A small park by the Tomarin Building and its second floor event deck next to the park are the venue of the four-day Tomarin Festa that starts tomorrow.

Music is the heart of any festival, and Tomarin Festa beginning its run at 18:00 Friday is promising the very best of jazz with Takako Afuso and Yoshiya Chinen on stage from 20:10.

Saturday and Sunday events include Hawaiian hula and Okinawan folk songs, Okinawan sumo, Eisa and more live music. Admission to the festival is free, but foods and beverages at the Tomarin Beer Garden on the second floor that is open all three days from 5 p.m. ~ 9 p.m. are pay-as-you-go.

An Okinawan opera is staged Monday.

An Okinawan opera is staged Monday.

On Monday, an Okinawan opera “Tomari Aka” takes place on the 6th floor of the Kariyushi resort at 19:00. Tickets to the opera performance are ¥1,500 in advance and ¥1,800 at door.

A specialty dish competition featuring dishes from six outer islands of Tokashiki, Zamami, Aguni, Kume, and Minami and Kita Daito is held on Sturday and Sunday with the wards ceremony on Sunday at 17:30.

Goods from outer islands are on exhibition and sale through Sunday at Tomarin Hiroba area of the building. And those who want can try horse riding for ¥500 per round on Saturday and Sunday.

Schedule

Outer islands' mascot characters introduce their respective homes to the audience during the festival.

Outer islands’ mascot characters introduce their respective homes to the audience during the festival.

Friday
18:00 Opening ceremony
19:00 Jazz live
20:10 Takako Afuso & Yoshiya Chinen live

Saturday
11:30 Hawaiian Hula show
15:40 Okinawa ‘Yuru-chara’ (mascot) sports event
17:40 Kerama-daiko and Daito-daiko (drum) performance
18:50 Tuna cutting show, free tasting afterwards
20:00 Deigo Sisters’ Okinawa folk song show

Sunday
10:00 Children’s Okinawa sumo contest
12:00 All Island Okinawa Sumo Championship
17:00 Traditional Eisa performance (Ageda Youth Asociation)
18:45 Soluna with La Teda performance (Ryukyu Latin fitness)
19:30 Kawamura Band music live

Monday
Okinawan opera ‘Tomari-Aka’ at 6F, Kariyushi Urban Resort Naha / open 18:30, start 19:00 /
Tickets adults ¥1,500 in advance, ¥1,700 at door, children ¥800 in advance, ¥1,000 at door. Tickets are sold at Tomarin, Co-op Apre, Department Store Ryubo, and Okinawa Times offices.

  • ★ The 1st Specialty Dishes from Six Islands Contest (Tokashiki, Zamami, Aguni, Kume, Minami and Kita Daito)
    9/12, 11:00~20:30
    9/13, 11:00~17:30
  • ★ Awards ceremony 9/13 at 17:30
17:11 29 Mar , 2024