Among all of Okinawa’s annual events, the festivals of the outer islands are among the most rewarding. More than a few are nationally designated cultural properties.
But if you plan them as you would a mainland-island festival, it will go wrong. The dates move every year, and transport and lodging are limited.
The main island festivals
| Festival | Island | How the date is set |
|---|---|---|
| The Tarama Bon Dance | Tarama | 3 days from the 8th of the 8th lunar month (can be computed) |
| The Tanadui | Taketomi | 10 days from the “kinoe-saru” day of the sexagenary cycle (announced) |
| The Myākuzutsu | Ikema, Sarahama and others | 3–4 days from the “kinoe-uma” day of the cycle (announced) |
| The Four-District Harvest Festival | Ishigaki | decided by the districts within the 6th lunar month (announced) |
| The Angama | Ishigaki and the Yaeyama Islands | the same as Obon (can be computed) |
Only festivals fixed by a lunar-calendar date can be pinned down years ahead. Those set by the sexagenary cycle or by a district’s decision must wait for an announcement.
The order in which to plan
1. First, fix the date
For festivals set by the lunar calendar (the Tarama Bon Dance, the Angama), you can check the date years ahead on this site’s event pages.
For those set by the cycle or by announcement, wait for the village, city or tourism association. The typical season is noted on each page, but do not book on a guess.
2. Secure your transport
Flights and ferries to the islands are limited, and especially crowded during a festival.
- Tarama — from Miyako by air (about 20 min) or ferry (about 2 hours). Few departures, and the ferry is cancelled in rough seas
- Taketomi — about 10–15 min by high-speed boat from Ishigaki. Frequent, but very crowded during the Tanadui
- Ikema — reachable by car from Miyako over the Ikema Bridge
3. Secure your lodging
This is the greatest hurdle.
Tarama and Taketomi have very few places to stay, and during a festival they fill with locals and returning family. Move as soon as the date is known.
Because Taketomi is a day trip from Ishigaki, staying on Ishigaki and commuting is one option.
What to keep in mind while watching
Almost all island festivals are dedications to the gods — not shows for tourists.
- An utaki (sacred grove) is a village’s holy ground. Follow the island’s guidance on how far you may go
- Whether photography is allowed varies by island and by moment. If unsure, ask, or don’t shoot
- For the islanders, these are the most important days of the year. Behave as a guest in someone’s living space
See Watching Okinawa’s Events for more.
On visiting a small island
Tarama’s population is a little over a thousand. Taketomi’s is similar.
That a community of that size has preserved dozens of pieces — kumi-odori, Ryukyuan dance and more — and performs them year after year, is remarkable in itself.
On the festival days, the island’s inns and ferries are first of all for those coming home. The visitor is let into the margins. Booking early is, in itself, a courtesy.