Festival
Pick Up Stories
Itoman Haaray; a traditional and fun eve… [CULTURE Festival]
The Itoman Haaray takes place on the May 4th of the Lunar Calendar. This day is actually June 18th 2026 of the Gregorian Calendar. Most peop...Read More
Chasing the Dragon – The Naha Haarii [Festival]
The Naha Haarii Festival will happen during Golden Week from May 3-5, 10:00 ~ 19:00 at the Naha New Port. Haarii — meaning “dragon boat” in ...Read More
Golden Week, Japan’s Mega Holiday [CULTURE Family Festival]
Spring is here. And in Japan that means warmer weather, cherry blossoms, and rainy season. But, before the rainy season takes hold and shrou...Read More
2014.01.23
Okinawa City Industry Fair showcases local brands [Festival]
This weekend’s Okinawa City Industrial Festival is a combination of introduction to Okinawa City-made products and two days of sheer family fun expected to again attract more than ...
2014.01.23
Tomigusuku stages own business fair [Festival]
Another new event for people to visit in Okinawa; Tomigusuku has jumped into the business fair arena, with its first ever event this weekend. The Tomigusuku Fair takes place at Mic...
2014.01.17
Ogimi Village Fair focuses on healthy produce, longevity [Festival]
Ogimi Village in northern Okinawa is best know as the community with the longest living residents in Japan. But its 3,500 residents also engage in various business activities, and ...
2014.01.17
Sakura begin to bloom in northern Okinawa [Festival]
Okinawa being first in the nation with Mother Nature’s beauty is good, but actually seeing the colorful pink sakura, the cherry blossoms, and breathing in the fresh air at the same...
2014.01.16
Taiki Festival honors ancient envoy [Festival]
According to Okinawan history, in the latter half of the 14th century a man named “Taiki” who was from Uza, Yomitan, received a command from his brother Chuzan King Sat...
2013.12.28
Shuri Castle to stage traditional ceremonies [Festival]
A Royal ceremonies reenactment is to take place at Shuri Castle during the New Year celebration from Jan. 1st ~ 3rd.. The traditional New Year ceremony originally took place early ...
2013.12.19
Dazzling lights brighten year-end holidays [Festival]
By Bill Charles Santa’s now making his list and checking it twice, while here on Okinawa the holiday spirit is brightly burning with multiple spectacular lights displays and shows....
2013.12.16
Colorful Hibiscus drawing visitors to Ie Island [Festival]
Sub-tropical Okinawa now has 1,000 varieties of colorful Hibiscus flowers in full bloom on Ie Island, perfect for Ie Village to host a Hibiscus Festival. The free festival is alre...
2013.12.13
Kume Island showcases art, scenery and products [Festival]
A three-day Kume Island Fair gets under way tomorrow morning as the small island creates programs to lure visitors. Sponsored jointly by the Kume Island Town and the Okinawa Times ...
2013.12.11
Wadaiko Fureai Festival focuses on drums [Festival]
The 6th Okinawa Wadaiko Fureai Festival takes place Sunday, bringing to life a variety of Japanese drums, drummers and dances. The free festival is being held at the Yomitan Cultur...
2013.12.09
18th Christmas Fantasy brings winter wonderland to Okinawa [Festival]
As the Christmas and yearend season sets in, Okinawa is getting into full festive spirit with a number of fun holiday festivals and events taking place across the island. Practical...
2013.12.05
Santa & Mrs. Claus are stars of Courtney Christmas Fest [Festival]
Santa and Mrs. Claus are unquestionably the stars of the 20th Annual Camp Courtney Christmas Festival this weekend, and whether the stockings have been hung with care, MCCS is read...
2013.11.28
Okinawa Samba Festival rocking crowds this weekend [Festival]
The Okinawa Samba Festival is celebrating its 13th anniversary Friday and Saturday, and has invited samba team O Peixe que Rid a Koza, FC Ryukyu’s Ryukyu Bomberz, and Capoeira Acad...
2013.11.28
Santa joins Okinawa City International Carnival [Festival]
By Bill Charles Santa Claus is coming to town this weekend, and his debut is just the tip of the entertainment options at the Okinawa City International Carnival. The new Santa Cla...
2013.11.22
World harmony theme at Antaru Festival [Festival]
A festival aimed at promoting understanding and respect for one another is on tap this weekend at Shintoshin Park in Naha City. The two-day event runs 10 a.m. ~ 7 p.m. Saturday and...
2013.11.22
Gourmet Burger leads to 1st Burger Festival [Festival]
It all began with creation of a Ginoza Burger made with locally produced ingredients, then marketed by the Ginoza Village Tourism Promotion Conference, and now the gourmet burger h...
2013.11.22
Ginowan Industrial Festival is community event [Festival]
Ginowan City is marking the start of its sixth decade as an Okinawa municipality this year, and is hosting this weekend’s 24th Ginowan City Industrial Festival as a major community...
2013.11.22
Chatan’s gourmet food battle lines drawn [Festival]
By Bill Charles The competition for bragging rights as the best restaurant in Chatan is strong, and dozens of local eateries will be pitching their tents in front of the Chatan Spo...
2013.11.15
World Festa Machigwa marks international day [Festival]
Saturday’s the day to take a meandering afternoon adventure to more than a dozen countries at the World Festa in Naha downtown a.k.a. “Machigwa.” The festival, hosted by the Naha C...
2013.11.15
Kitanakagusuku Village Festival this weekend [Festival]
Kitanakagusuku Village is organizing it’s annual festival for the 28th time this weekend. The two-day festival will be held at Shiosai Court next to a prefecture public housing com...
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