Events in Okinawa

Hanabi Illusion 2023

Japan's earliest 'summer fireworks festival' takes place in Okinawa in April!

Okinawa International Film Festival

Founded in 2009 by comedy giant Yoshimoto Kogyo, the Okinawa International Film Festival has a packed schedule which includes comedy and drama, as well as documentaries, young-director showcases, …

Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races

Feel the beat of the drum at Okinawa's biggest dragon boat races

Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival

Due to COVID-19, the 2022 festival has been postponed. Find yourself in Okinawa around O-bon time, when the spirits of the dead return to the world of the living? Check out the Okinawa Zento Eisa …

Paantu Festival

The Paantu festival takes place on the Okinawa Prefecture island of Miyakojima in the far south of the archipelego. What happens and when is it? The villagers dress up as ‘Paantu’ …

Great Tug-of-War

Update: For 2022, you will need to pre-register to join in the tug-of-war. Every year on the Sunday before National Sports Day in Naha, Okinawa, a Tug-of-War event is held, attracting thousands …

Shurijo Castle Revival Festival

Watch the huge procession of the Ryukyu Kingdom in all its glory

Ishigaki Island Festival

Taking place in Ishigaski City at Shinei Park on the island of Ishigaki, this local festival encompasses a wide range of performances and attractions. Among the many related events are a bench …

Okinawa International Carnival

Okinawa is a crossroads of the seas. Over thirty different nationalities make Okinawa City their home, and the Okinawa International Carnival celebrates all of them. Previous years have seen …

2023 Naha Marathon

If you get all the way down to sunny Okinawa in December and feel like you still haven’t achieved enough, check out the Naha Marathon, a “Festival of Sun, Ocean and Joggers” …