The 9 Best Cultural Events in Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture

October 1, 2021 Joeann Galban

Discover the best top things to do in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan including Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri, Naha Giant Tug of War Festival, Naha Hari, Nago Cherry Blossom Matsuri, Shuri Castle Festival, Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Matsuri, Itoman Hari, Okinawa Industrial Festival, Ginowan Hagoromo Festival.
Restaurants in Okinawa Prefecture

1. Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri

Naha Okinawa Prefecture +81 98-989-5566 http://www.zentoeisa.com/
Excellent
44%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri

Eisa is a traditional art of Okinawa and the Amami Islands involving a dance and parade combining poetry and music to welcome ancestors that return during the Buddhist O-Bon festival. The Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri is an eisa festival held every year in Okinawa City on the second weekend of the Bon Festival. Formerly, it was the "Zento Eisa Competition" hosted in what was the city of Koza (now Okinawa). It was started to revitalize the spirit of eisa during a time of recession in 1956. The reverberations of the shamisen, rhythms of taiko drumming, along with the characteristic colorful costumes offer an authentic and impressive experience. The festival took its current name in 1977, and in recent years has grown into one of the largest events in Okinawa, drawing as many as 300,000 visitors, and incorporating a fireworks display, laser show, and more.

2. Naha Giant Tug of War Festival

Naha Okinawa Prefecture http://www.naha-navi.or.jp/magazine/2248/
Excellent
43%
Good
58%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Naha Giant Tug of War Festival

Various places in Okinawa have a custom believed to have been practiced since the 1600's that involves predicting sunshine or darkness by way of a tug of war. After having a moment of popularity during the war, the practice faded out, but in 1971 it was revived as the Naha Festival (renamed the Naha Giant Tug of War Festival in 2011). The event is currently held every October for three days that include the Japanese holiday Health and Sports Day. On the first day, about 50 groups put on dance performances on Kokusai Street known as the People's Performance and Ethnic Arts Parade. The giant tug of war main event takes place on the second day, with tens of thousands of people representing respective leaders pulling all at once on the giant rope. A new rope close to 200 meters long is made every year out of straw. The event made it into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1995. The longest rope thus far was recorded in 1997 to be 186m long, with a diameter of 1.58 Meters, and weight of 40.22 Tons.

3. Naha Hari

Naha New Port Wharf, Naha Okinawa Prefecture http://www.naha-navi.or.jp/magazine/2227/
Excellent
30%
Good
65%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Naha Hari

4. Nago Cherry Blossom Matsuri

Nago Chuo Park and Festival Stage(Sakura Park),Nago Juji Odori,Nago Fishing Port, Nago Okinawa Prefecture +81 980-53-7755 http://kanko.city.nago.okinawa.jp/event/sakura2013.html
Excellent
14%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
32%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 22 reviews

Nago Cherry Blossom Matsuri

This festival is held between late January and mid February in Nago Park, one of Japan's top 100 famous cherry blossom sites. When the perfectly pink Taiwan cherry blossoms are in bloom, other prime locations are the main crossing in Nago and at the Nago fishing harbor. A wide variety of events are held every year on the main streets and on temporary stages, including an ice sculpture contest, a tuna butchering show, live performances by local musicians, and Nago Sakura Taiko.

5. Shuri Castle Festival

1-2 Shuri Kinjocho, Naha Okinawa Prefecture +81 98-886-2020 http://oki-park.jp/shurijo/event/182
Excellent
13%
Good
69%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 16 reviews

Shuri Castle Festival

The Ryukyu Dynasty ruled for 450 years (1429-1879) with the main island of Okinawa at its center. Its symbol was Okinawa's largest castle, Shuri Castle. You can still see its restored structure and castle walls at Shuri Castle Park. The Shuri Castle Festival celebrates the history and traditions of the Ryukyu kingdom by reenacting events such as an imperial procession to a shrine to pray for peace and a great harvest for the kingdom, and the "sapposhi ceremony," in which a new king is crowned. A special highlight is the Ryukyu dynasty picture scroll procession held at the Naha International Festival, involving 700 participants dressed as the king and queen, foreign envoys, traditional artist troupes, and more. Even more events are lined up, including a traditional arts banquet and the Shuri Castle Music Festival.

6. Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Matsuri

921 Namizato Yaedake Forest of Cherry Blossom Park, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun Okinawa Prefecture http://www.town.motobu.okinawa.jp/index.php?oid=3015&dtype=1000&pid=299
Excellent
36%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 25 reviews

Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Matsuri

Yaedake is the highest peak on the Motobu Peninsula on Okinawa's main island (elevation: 453.3M), and its mountainside is the grounds (Yaedake Cherry Forest Park) for the Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Matsuri. From January to late February, the area's roughly 7,000 cherry trees are in bloom, making it the earliest cherry blossom festival in Japan. On weekends during the festival, the event space will host a diverse program including concerts, the Miss Cherry Blossom contest, and taiko performances, and the area will be bustling with food stands and exhibition booths.

7. Itoman Hari

Itoman Fishing Port, Itoman Okinawa Prefecture +81 98-992-2011
Excellent
30%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 10 reviews

Itoman Hari

8. Okinawa Industrial Festival

Onoyama Park, Naha Okinawa Prefecture +81 98-859-6191 http://www.okikouren.or.jp/index.html
Excellent
21%
Good
63%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 19 reviews

Okinawa Industrial Festival

This is the largest industrial expo in Okinawa, held in late October every year at the Ounoyama Park in Naha. There you will find new products and specialties created by Okinawan companies, organizations, and producers, and bonuses include the Orion Beer Garden and ceramics fair. The event is loved by locals and sees 50,000 attendees daily. Unique catchphrases like "Local products chock-full of oceanic flavor" and "Quality, snazzy, and happy goods" stand out, hinting at the effervescent mindset of the locals.

9. Ginowan Hagoromo Festival

4-3-1 Mashiki Ginowan Seaside Park, Ginowan Okinawa Prefecture +81 98-897-2764 http://ginowan.info/event/41th-hagoromo-festival/
Excellent
30%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 10 reviews

Ginowan is located on Okinawa's main island, and this event is held there annually. There is a festive and colorful parade based on the tales handed down of the type of folkloric robes worn in the Mashiki area. Also on view are pennant parades and roadside dances and shows by the local dancing troupes. There is also a water pistol championship, dance show, and other stage events. On the last day, a fireworks festival rings in the close of events.

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