It’s going to be a new year soon and as usual, every place in the world have their own way of celebrating the new year. These celebrations and events usually span through the whole of January entering February too sometimes.on the Island of Okinawa-Hai, January comes with a whole lot of colorful events. However, these events are even better when they have a touch of locality and culture with so much religion and beliefs attached to them too….you surely would agree with me that traditionally crafted events are often very interesting to attend because there are lots of things to be learnt and a lot of fun to catch.

Here, you’ll find a list of local events for the month of January. Events on the island are constantly being created and changed, Every day, a new set of people troop into the Island and since the place is so accommodating so, please make sure to use the contact info provided on all separate events to verify information about those events. If you know of additional events that you’d like to share with our readers, please add it to the comments below!

January,2017 Events In Okinawa
Okinawa

Looking for opening hours of world heritage sites, museums, parks, events, etc on Okinawa over New Years?  Here’s a big list of every place you could think of!  Okinawa Story New Year’s Hours

January 1st

First Sunrise Yoga
¥2000
Osato Castle Ruins, Nanjo City
7:00 – 9:00

New Year’s Celebration
Celebrate the first day of 2017, with attractions.
¥200 – ¥300
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
6:00 – 17:00

Bullfighting
¥2500
Nakijin Bullring, Nakijin, Motobu
13:00

January 1st – January 29th

Trick Art
See, touch and take picture of paintings that appear to be 3-D. Interactive.
¥200 – ¥500
Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibina, Tomisaki, Toyosaki, 1-188
11:00 – 20:00

January 1st – February 26th

Ryukyu Lantern Festival
Lantern display and creation.
¥400 – ¥600
Murasaki Mura, Yomitan
9:00 – 22:00, best experienced after sunset

January 1st – 3rd

New Year Ceremony
Numerous event going on for 3 days, check the website for schedule.  Free awamori.
¥310 – ¥820
Shuri Castle
8:30 – 17:00

January 2nd

Bullfighting
¥2000 – ¥3000
Ishikawa Dome, Ishikawa
13:00

Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling
Naval Kadena Arena, Kadena Town
14:00

January 3rd

Bullfighting
¥2000 – ¥3000
Ishikawa Dome, Ishikawa
13:00

January 6th

Crossover 
Street basketball season opener.
¥1000 – ¥2500
Music Town Sound Market, 3rd Floor, Koza, Okinawa City
Doors 18:00 – Tip Off 19:00

January 8th

New Year Rock Festival
6 Rock n’ Roll bands perform
¥2500 – ¥3000
Music Town Sound Market, 3rd Floor, Koza, Okinawa City
Doors 15:30 – Curtain 16:00

January 9th

Jazz & Ryukyu Dance Collaboration
¥2500 – ¥3000
Music Town Sound Market, 3rd Floor, Koza, Okinawa City
Doors 17:30 – Curtain 18:30

January 18th

Food Flea x Ryukyu Golden Kings
A collaboration of food flea during Kings basketball event.
Okinawa Sports Complex, Okinawa City
16:00

Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Kyoto Hannries
Okinawa City Gymnasium, Okinawa City
Tip Off 20:00

January 21st

Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling
Naval Kadena Arena, Kadena Town
14:00

January 21st & 22nd

Kadena Machi Industrial Festival
Food, crafts and agricultural products from Kadena Town.  Art and theater programs, lots of exhibitions.
Free Admission.
Kadena Station
11:00 – 17:00

Momo sole of Momozo
“One hundred gifts is a ritual event in which a god woman visits Shuri Castle and the surrounding sanctuary (Utaki).”
Shuri Castle Tadashi – must pay an admission fee.
12:00 – 13:00, 15:00 – 16:00

January 21st – February 5th

Yokidake Cherry Blossom Festival
Earliest cherry blossoms in Okinawa.
921 Namizato, Kunigami, Motobu

January 22nd

Koza A-Lunch Championship
Restaurants representing the central region of Okinawa have their best lunch dishes for sale at discounted prices, then you vote on your favorite!
Koza Sports Park, Shiki Ballpark, Okinawa City

January 28th

Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Niigata Albirex BB
Okinawa City Gymnasium, Okinawa City
Tip Off 20:00

January 28th & 29th

Nago Cherry Blossom Festival
A 2km walking path through cherry blossoms.
Nago Central Park, Nago Crossroads, Nago City.

Okinawa Custom Car Show
Customized vehicles from all over japan.
¥900 – ¥1000
Chura Sun Beach Park, Toyosaki Seaside Park, Tomigusuku
28th 10:00 – 18:00, 29th 09:00 – 17:00

Okinawa City Industry Fair
Local Okinawa City exhibitions of agriculture, marine produce, crafts, music, pottery, awamori, car show and more. Live entertainment.
Free entry.
Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park

January 28th – February 12th

Nakijin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
Nakijin Castle Site, Kunigami
¥300 -¥400
Open Daily until 20:30 but Illuminations of cherry blossom starts from 18:00 to 21:00.

January 29th

Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Niigata Albirex BB
Okinawa City Gymnasium, Okinawa City
Tip Off 20:00

ILLUMINATIONS

December 1 – February 12

Stardust Fantasia
800,000 sqr meters of millions of lights with this year “Sparkling Dreams” theme.  Events throughout the exhibition.
¥1,000 Advance, ¥1,500 Day off.
Kanucha Resort, Nago
18:00 – 23:00

December 1st – February 28th

Okuma Illumination 2106
Illumination from Sunset to Dawn
JAL Private Resort, 913 Okuma, Kunigami

December 1st – February 19th

Tonan Night Decoration of Light
Botanical Gardens illuminated with 300,000+ lights.
¥500 – ¥1,800
Southeast Botanical Gardens, Chika
17:00 – 22:00

 

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.