Okinawa - 4 recommended events in January

The popular illumination event "Okinawa Nankoku Illumination 2023-2024" in the winter season in Okinawa will be held at Tonan Botanical Paradise (Okinawa City).
This year's theme is "Shining Southern Flowers". The motifs unique to the botanical garden, such as the magnificent lotus flower illumination, hibiscus and Jade Kazura, color the park, and about 4 million balls create a world of illumination unique to Okinawa.

It's a recommended spot for romantic moments with lovers and to spend important memories with family and friends!

※In November 2023, he won the "2nd place in Japan in the illumination event category" at the 1st International Illumination Award selected by a night view tourist. All staff members participate in the production and installation, and have been highly evaluated as handmade and warm original illuminations. In 2022, it was certified as one of the "Three Great Night Views of Okinawa".

In Okinawa, cherry blossoms bloom around late January ahead of other prefectures. Therefore, at this time, Sakura Festivals are held in various parts of the prefecture. The first festival to enjoy cherry blossoms is the Motobu Yae-dake Cherry Blossom Festival. It is held every year from late January to early February at Yae-dake, a famous cherry blossom spot, with the catchphrase "Hitoshi, bloom".

The recommended point of such headquarters Yae-dake Sakura Festival is that you can see the cherry blossoms while walking as well as driving. You can enjoy Kanhizakura while feeling the clear air with your skin. The common cherry blossoms on the mainland, Yoshino cherry tree (Yoshino cherry tree), are light pink, while the cold scarlet cherry blossoms are dark and vivid like plum blossoms. This flower that blooms downward also has the characteristic that it is hard to scatter.

Mt. Yae is a hill, and if you climb it, you can see not only the sea but also I Eshima in the distance. If you turn your camera there, you can shoot a beautiful piece of cherry blossoms that stand out against the sea!
In addition, there is a Okinawa soba specialty store near the entrance of the Yae-dake mountain climbing road and a bakery selling bread and cookies on the mountain path, so you can enjoy mountain climbing and cherry blossom viewing while filling your stomach.

In addition, there are a number of popular sightseeing spots around Mt. Yae, such as Nago Pineapple Park and OKINAWA Fruit Land. If you plan to visit these spots for sightseeing in Okinawa in January, be sure to stop by Motobu Yae-dake Sakura Festival.

For those who want to enjoy more traditional performing arts unique to Okinawa, we recommend "Mori no Lively". This event, which will be held at the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan City, will be held on January 27, 2024 (Saturday).
folk songEisa folk dance, Okinawa, and other traditional performing arts are gathered at once. The programs that appear one after another, such as beautiful dance of women, stick art, karate, and lion dance by strong men, will not get tired of the viewer! Also, the appearance of a large number of performers dressed in Hanagasa and red costumes lined up on the stage that had been turned down is a masterpiece.

And for the ending, you can dance Kachassi with the performers. Kachashii is a hand dance in Okinawa. There is a difference in the shape of the hand when dancing with men and women, women dance in the shape of a par with their fingers aligned, and men dance with both hands in the shape of goo. You can enjoy the unique experience of Okinawa, where the performers and the audience are united through Kachashii and the venue is wrapped in a cheerful atmosphere.

Outside the venue, a lively taste (Okinawa product sales corner) will be opened. The stalls sell gourmet foods such as "Okinawa soba" and "juicy", as well as Okinawan specialty "awamori" and castella and cakes using pine. In addition to enjoying the lively atmosphere of the forest, please enjoy the “buzz of taste”.

"If you eat Tida Sunsan, I'm gonju from Okinawa! Under the slogan “Okinawa Flower and Food Festival 2024” will be held in Ounoyama Park, Naha City for two days, Saturday, January 20 and 21 (Sun).
Agriculture, forestry and fishery products and processed products from the prefecture, which are in season at this time, such as the meat market and the seafood market where seafood gather.

In addition, there are various events related to flowers such as the Hanaki Horticulture Market and Flower Design Contest, as well as other experience corners, and there are plenty of fun events! You can learn about the charm of Okinawa, so you can have a fun time with your family and friends.

How was it? In Okinawa in January, there are several events where you can easily participate in sightseeing. Each of the four events introduced this time has a content that allows you to feel the unique charm of the local area. By adding these to your January sightseeing plan, you will surely be able to enrich your memories of sightseeing.