The tug-of-war starts when the ‘kanachi’ pole locking the two halves of the rope is in place, and the rope drops to the ground.

The 42nd Yonabaru Great Tug of War Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, Aug 3rd and 4th, at the Yonakohama Park and Yonabaru Udunyama Youth Field, with most of the action for the great tug-of-war taking place Sunday afternoon at the Udunyama Youth Field. The first day of the festival, Saturday, is mostly dedicated for usual Okinawan Festival activities of eating, drinking and having fun at the food and game stalls on the Yonakohama Park.

Everyone in the community is involved in the tug-of-war from the parade leading to the main event to the conclusion.

Yonabaru used to be the main port for transporting goods between the island’s northern parts and main cities in the south. A narrow-gauge railroad connected Yonabaru and Naha City via a dozen stations before the war.

The Procession leading up to the Tug-of-War that includes a sacred ceremony for a good harvest and is an important part of the event, starts on Route 330 at 3:50 p.m. The actual Tug-of-War begins at 5 p.m.

Handling a ‘Hatagashira’ flagpole is a matter of skill and strength and the job of young men in the local community.

A unique feature of the event is local residents’ participation in carrying the big rope to the venue and preparation for the pull. On the big rope, seven people called ‘Shitaku’ dressed up as historical characters from the history the Ryukyu Kingdom accompany the rope to the venue where the tug-of-war starts.

Admission to the festival, which boasts 440 years of history, is free. The festival grounds are open 11 a.m. ~ 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. ~ 9 p.m. on Sunday. Free parking is available at temporary parking areas on the prefecture-owned land next to Marine Plaza Agarihama, Kirakira Beach, Yonabaru Elementary School.

The venue of the Yonabaru Tug-of-War Festival, the Yonabaru Udunyama Youth Field is located at https://goo.gl/maps/kC6rF

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