2018.06.13
Give your Dad a Treat! Head to the Iyumachi Fish Festival on Father’s Day!
Tomari Iyumachi Fish Market is a place where shopkeepers and restaurant chefs go every day in search of the freshest seafood on the island. On Father’s Day weekend (June 17th Father’s Day) the market invites all dads and families to come check out their fish market in celebration of Father’s Day.
The Tomari Iyumachi Fathers’ Day Tuna Festival is a two-day event, taking place on Saturday June 16th from 11:00 to 16:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 11:00 till 18:30. The market is located in 1-1-18 Minatomachi, Naha City. Admission to the event is free.
Tomari Fishing Port is one of the biggest and busiest fishing ports on Okinawa. They sell fresh seafood every day from 6 a.m. at their 24 stores in the Tomari Iyumachi building. They also operate a restaurant, which is very popular with the local people.
The highlight of the festival is when they cut a giant tuna in front of the audience. This will occur on both days. There will also be live music and a lottery event where one can win great prizes such as 60kg of Japanese rice or guest tickets to stay at a participating hotel. In order to take part in the lottery, customers are required to purchase at least ¥1,500 worth of goods at the festival. This includes fish from the market.
There will be a charity promotional event as well. The big glass-bottom boat, the ‘Orca’, will be offering rides for visitors wanting to see underwater ocean life for a very reasonable cost of ¥300 per person. The proceeds will be donated to local social welfare organizations. The Orca accepts up to 160 passengers on each ride and reservations can be made at the port two hours prior to departures on both days.
The stores in Tomari Iyumachi Fish Market are open from 6:00 to 18:00.
Parking space at the port is very limited, and organizers advise visitors to use public transportation or search for toll parking lots near the event site.