CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.
Many, many thanks to Kacey for putting this calendar of events around Okinawa together for us!
January 2015 Local Events
January 1st
First Sunrise at Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins changes it’s opening hours on January 1st only so visitors can enjoy the first sunrise of the year.
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, Kitanakagusuku Village
098-935-5719
¥400 Adults, ¥300 Junior High/High School Students, ¥200 Younger.
6am-5pm
Bullfighting
Northern area’s New Year’s grand tournament.
Nakijin Municipal Bullring,
Nakasone
Nakijin-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa (Near Nakijin Brewery)
¥2,500
1pm
My Ryukyu Dance
Volunteers from Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts Ryukyu volunteer to perform Okinawan dance.
Okinawa Prefectural Museum, Naha
Free
2pm – 2:30pm
January 1st – 3rd
Shurijo Castle Park New Year’s Celebration
Traditional Okinawan celebrations welcoming 2015
Shurijo Castle Park, Naha
8am-5pm
Some events free, others are held in paid area of park. Visit Shurijo website for details
Itoman Peaceful Illumination
350,000 LED lights.
Itoman Kanko Noen (Itoman Wine Farm), Itoman
¥250
6pm-10pm
January 1st – 12th
Hibiscus Exhibition
Approximately 160 kinds of hibiscus on display.
Tropical Dream Center (Ocean Expo Park), Motobu
¥690 Adults, ¥350 Children. Discount if you present same day Aquarium ticket.
8:30am-5:00pm
January 1st – February 15th
Southeast Botanical Gardens, Chibana
098-939-2555
¥1,800 Adults, ¥500 Children
5:00pm – 10:00pm
January 1st – February 28th
15th annual winter light display.
Kanucha Resort, Nago
098-055-8880
¥3,000 at event, ¥2000 in advance.
7pm-11pm
Blue Ocean Christmas Garden Illumination
Illumination.
Renaissance Resort Okinawa, Onna
Free
6pm-Midnight
January 1st – June 30th
Christmas Illumination
80,000 lights commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hotel’s opening.
Hotel Nikko Alivia, Yomitan
098-982-9111
Illumination containing 1.4 million LED’s in 11 areas.
Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa, Onna
098-967-8731
Free, Parking
¥500
6pm-Midnight
January 2nd
New Years Hatasugashi
New years celebrations with traditional Okinawan dances and hatasugashi performances to pray for peace and abundant harvests.
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, Kitanakagusuku Village
098-935-5719
¥400 Adults, ¥300 Junior High/High School Students, ¥200 Younger.
11am
BullFighting Tournament & Concert
New Year’s bullfighting and live performances by a popular Okinawan reggae group.
Ishikawa Dome, Ishikawa
¥3,000
2:00pm
Ryukyu Golden Kings Basketball Game
Vs. Shinshu Brave Warriors
Naha City Gym, Naha
Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office.
5:30pm doors open, 7:00pm tip off.
January 3rd
Last match of season.
Naval Kadena South Building, 3F, Kadena Town
¥2,500 front row/¥2,000 general/¥1,000 junior high & high school/Free to younger/¥1,000 seniors (65+yrs old). Tickets at box office or Family Mart.
6:30pm doors open, 7:00pm begins
Ryukyu Golden Kings Basketball Game
Vs. Shinshu Brave Warriors
Naha City Gym, Naha
Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office.
12:30pm doors open, 2:00pm tip off.
International Food Stall Village
Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday.
Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City
098-989-6759
5:00pm-9:00pm
January 10th
International Food Stall Village
Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday.
Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City
098-989-6759
5:00pm-9:00pm
January 11th
Haebaru Town New Year Marathon
2km, 5km, 10km races.
Koganemori Park, Kyan
098-889-2620
Free
January 11th – 16th
Art Exhibition
Photo and painting exhibit.
Gallery Art Muse, Naha
Free
11:00am-6:00pm
January 17th
Ryukyu Golden Kings Basketball Game
Vs. Bambitious Nara
Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City
Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office.
5:30pm doors open, 7:00pm tip off.
New Year’s Mochitsuki Taikai
Mochitsuku, a Japanese/Chinese cultural experience.
Koza International Plaza, Palmyra Street, Okinawa City
10:00am-2:00pm
International Food Stall Village
Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday.
Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City
098-989-6759
5:00pm-9:00pm
January 17th-18th
Chura Shima Okinawa Century Run (Bicycle)
100mi/62.5mi/37.28mi courses available.
Onna-Village Community Center, Onna
098-943-365
¥10,500/¥9,500/¥7,500
Ogimi Village Eco Tour
Hiking tour and ecological viewing to top of a mountain.
Ogimi Elementary School, Ogimi Village
0980-44-3232
¥1,000 Adults
Ginowan Sangyo Festival
25th festival featuring agriculture, marine, livestock, bonsai, and other products made in Okinawa.
Ginowan Shimin Hiroba, Ginowan (public space across from Ginowan City Hall and next to Fire Department)
098-893-4411
Free
January 17th – 25th
Tulip Fair
Okinawa’s largest tulip collection with over 80,000 plants.
Tropical Dream Center (Ocean Expo Park), Motobu
¥690 Adults, ¥350 Children. Discount if you present same day Aquarium ticket.
8:30am-5:00pm
January 17th – February 1st
Mt. Yae Cherry Blossom Festival
Featuring 7,000 cherry blossom trees along a 3km mountain road.
Mt. Yae, Motobu (Follow small signs near Mt. Yae)
Free
*Date subject to change based on when trees bloom
Nakijin Gusuku Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry blossoms in bloom, traditional Okinawan entertainment, and night illuminations
Nakijin Castle Ruins, Nakijin
098-056-4400
¥400 Adults, ¥300 Elementary to High School students.
*Date subject to change based on when trees bloom
January 18th
Tomigusuku New Year Walk & Marathon
6.1km race and walk.
Toyosaki Chura Sun Beach, Tomigusuku (Near Yone Port)
098-850-3591
¥200
36th annual race. 10km/6 km/3.5km courses.
Ocean Expo Park, Motobu
0980-48-2741
¥2,000 Adults, ¥1,000 Children
Each race starts at different time. 9:30am/10am/10:30am
Ryukyu Golden Kings Basketball Game
Vs. Bambitious Nara
Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City
Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office.
4:30pm doors open, 6:00pm tip off.
January 20th
Mammy’s Market
Flea market, eateries, massage, fortune telling, etc.
Naval Kadena, Kadena Town
11am – 4pm
January 24th
International Food Stall Village
Okinawa City International Association organizes a food stall street every Saturday.
Koza Palmyra Street, Okinawa City
098-989-6759
5:00pm-9:00pm
January 24th – 25th
Okinawa City Industrial Festival
Local product exhibition and Okinawa City business expo.
Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park, Hiyagon
Free
10am-6pm
January 24th – February 2nd
Sunflower Festival
7th annual Kitanakagusuku Sunflower Festival
Near Shiosai Park (new location)
2070-16 Atta, Kitanakagusuku Village
Free
10am-4pm
January 31st
Chatan Industrial Festival
Local product exhibition and Chatan business expo.
Chatan Park, Chatan (in front of baseball stadium by Aeon in American Village)
Free
10am – 7pm
January 31st – February 1st
Nago Cherry Blossom Festival
53rd annual cherry blossom festival. 2km path. Dance performances, eisa shows, folk song contest, etc.
Nago Central Park, Castle Ruins, and Sakura Park, Nago
Free
*Date subject to change based on when trees bloom
Other Events
- Whale watching season has begun!
- January 12th, Seihin-no-hi (Coming of Age Day)
For more information about annual holidays and festivals, be sure to check out our Japanese Holidays Calendar!