Japanese Holiday & Festival Calendar

The following is a list of Japanese holidays that are celebrated on Okinawa. We have provided links to posts we have on our site, and hope to add more posts on these events as you, our readers, submit articles to us.

JANUARY 一月 (ichigatsu)
1 - New Year's Day (Shōgatsu)
10 - Coming of Age Day (Seijin no hi)

Cherry Blossom viewings and festivals typically held mid-January to late-February

FEBRUARY 二月 (nigatsu)
3 - Bean Throwing Festival (Setsubun)
11 - National Foundation Day (Kenkoku kinen no hi)
14 - Valentine's Day

Sunflower Festival - typically held mid-to late February

MARCH 三月 (sangatsu)
3 - Girls' or Doll's Festival (Hinamatsuri)
14 - White Day (Howaito dē)
21 - Spring equinox (Sunbun no hi)

Azalea Festival - typically held in March

APRIL 四月 (shigatsu)
29 - Birthday of the Showa Emperor (Showa no hi)

Lily Festival - typically held at the end of April through the beginning of May

MAY 五月 (gogatsu)
2 to 6 - Golden Week (Ōgata renkyū)
3 - Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi)
4 - Greenery Day (Midori no hi)
5 - Children's Day (Kodomo no hi)
3 to 5 - Naha Dragon Boat Races

JULY 七月 (shichigatsu)
7 - Star Festival (Tanabata)
18 - Sea Day (Umi no hi)

Festival Season on Okinawa (dates will vary by year)

AUGUST 八月 (hachigatsu)
1st Sunday of August - 10,000 Eisa Dancers Festival
13 to 15 - Festival of Souls (Obon)

SEPTEMBER 九月 (kugatsu)
19 - Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no hi)
22 - Autumn Equinox Day (shubun no hi)

OCTOBER 十月 (jūgatsu)
10 - Sports Day (Taiiku no hi)
10 or 11th - Naha Tug of War
17 - Okinawa Soba Day (Soba no hi)
(Date varies) Yonabaru Tug of War

NOVEMBER 十一月 (jūichigatsu)
3 - Culture Day (Bunka no hi)
15 - 7-5-3 Year-olds Festival (Shichi-go-san)
23 - Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro kansha no hi)