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
2013.08.29
Chatan’s 34th Eisa Festival welcomes visitors [Festival]
Chatan Town’s 34th Eisa Festival is taking place Sunday, and traditionally costumed dancers will perform for visitors from across the island. The festival is taking place at Kuwae ...
2013.08.29
Eisa and Orion Beer take centerstage this weekend [Festival]
The throbbing beat of traditional drums will be heard across Okinawa beginning tomorrow, a post-Obon dance celebration that fills the air with excitement and happiness amidst praye...
2013.08.16
Yanbaru Youth Eisa Festival runs Sunday [Festival]
A typical Okinawan Bon festival complete with sanshin, Japanese drums, singing and Eisa dance is slated for Tancha Park in Motobu on Sunday. Also known as a Lantern Festival, as or...
2013.08.16
Halestorm puts pizzaz to weekend Hansen Festival [Festival]
The Grammy award-winning band Halestorm takes the center stage this weekend for the annual Hansen Festival. Joining Halestorm for the Saturday and Sunday festival are five other ba...
2013.08.09
Summer festival offers “sabani” sailboat rides [Festival]
Rides aboard “sabani”, a traditional Okinawan fishing sailboat are a highlight of this weekend’s summer festival at Kanna Thalasso Okinawa. The Saturday & Sunday festival runs ...
2013.08.09
Ogimi Village Summer Festival promises diversity [Festival]
Ogimi Village is readying its weekend Summer Festival, lining up entertainment that ranges from hula dance to kids’ programs to even a goat-scramble tug-of-war. The Saturday and Su...
2013.08.08
Kachashi contest continues as Hagoromo Festival favorite [Festival]
Ginowan City’s the place to be this weekend, as the central Okinawa city celebrates its 36th annual Hagoromo Festival, an event that traditionally draws more than 100,000 spectator...
2013.08.08
Fishing, music accent 40th Motobu Ocean Festival [Festival]
The three-day 40th Anniversary version of the Motobu Ocean Festival takes place this weekend, August 9th through 11th. Admission is free for the festival, which takes place at both...
2013.07.31
Tug of War crown jewel of Yonabaru festival [Festival]
The 31st Yonabaru Great Tug of War Festival takes place Saturday & Sunday at the Yonabaru Udunyama Youth Field with sumo highlighting the first day and the great tug of war Sun...
2013.07.29
Okinawa Kodomo no Kuni Eisa Festival [Festival]
Eisa dance by local children’s groups and young men’s associations is on tap the first weekend in August at the Okinawa Kodomo no Kuni Eisa Festival in Okinawa City. The Eisa Festi...
2013.07.26
Nago Summer Festival is pure tradition [Festival]
By Bill Charles Visitors to Nago Fishing Port are in store for a great weekend as the 36th Nago Summer Festival, a traditional Japanese summer event, unfolds across the two days. T...
2013.07.26
“Yugure” Marche pays homage to twilight [Festival]
For the first time ever in Naha City, a night marche, or market, is taking place this weekend beginning at twilight at the Kibogaoka Park in Naha City, 3-2 Makishi. “Yugure” means ...
2013.07.26
Sunday marks Azama Sun Sun Beach Festival [Festival]
The Azama Sun Sun Beach Festival is ready to entertain visitors at Azama Port in Chinen, overlooking Kudaka island, on Sunday. The annual festival is free, and will run 1 p.m. ~ 9 ...
2013.07.22
Urasoe Festival takes weekend center stage [Festival]
It’s not the largest festival on Okinawa, but a visit to Urasoe City’s annual celebration is like revisiting a county fair in midtown America. The 36th annual Tedako Matsuri kicks ...
2013.07.20
Family style activities fill 30th Unna Festival [Festival]
The 30th annual Unna Festival is little more than a week away, and Onna Village organizers are putting the finishing touches on a fun-filled two days of events and activities. The ...
2013.07.19
White Beach opens gates for Summer Festa [Festival]
The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force’s Summer Festival takes place Saturday on the U.S. Navy base at White Beach, with the entire Okinawa community invited to enjoy the fun. Th...
2013.07.18
Japanese SDF Summer Festival tomorrow on Naha Air Base [Festival]
Japanese Air Self Defense Forces are pulling out all the stops tomorrow for its annual Naha Summer Festival. The festivities will take place from 5:20 p.m. ~ 9 p.m. at the Naha Air...
2013.07.12
‘Peaceful Love’ rocks Okinawa this weekend [Festival]
Perhaps the best known annual rock event in Okinawa, the “Peaceful Love Rock Festival” take place this weekend for the 31st time. While the festival traditionally features the best...
2013.07.12
Raft races highlight Hija River Kappa Festival [Festival]
Sunday’s 26th Hija River Kappa Festival is a day of raft races and challenges for men, women and kids, coupled with canoeing, a flea market, experience classes and just plain fun f...
2013.07.12
Expo Park Summer Festival lights skies Saturday [Festival]
Emerald Beach on Ocean Expo Park is the venue Saturday for the 35th Ocean Expo Park Summer Festival, a one-day event that has become Okinawa’s greatest fireworks festival. Admissio...
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