Okinawa - 4 recommended events in June

One of the biggest festivals in Itoman City is "Itoman Harley". Itoman Harley is the traditional event held every year on May 4 in the Itoman Fishing Port Middle Area in old calendar. Participants board Sabani, a traditional Okinawan ship, and race each community called Mura. The venue is full of local customers and tourists who support it, and it is just a day of the festival.
In Itoman Harley, not only various rowings, but also a competition called “Ducking Competition” that catches ducks released into Itoman Fishing Port is held. Duck competition is an event where not only local customers but also tourists can participate freely. As soon as the command of the start of the competition sounds, it is a masterpiece to see the participants jumping into the sea one after another!
In the competition, not only ducks but also large watermelons are floated on the sea, and balls that can be exchanged for red sea bream are thrown in, so aiming for these prizes is one of the ways to enjoy.

"Eisa folk dance Night" is an event where you can enjoy Eisa folk dance in Okinawa City on Saturdays and Sundays during the weekend of June 13, the day the Okinawa City declared its "Eisa folk dance Town Declaration."
Youth associations perform Eisa folk dance performances at places such as Koza Music Town Music Market.
One of Okinawa's traditional performing arts, Eisa folk dance. There are various theories about its origin, and it is not clear that it is clear. One theory is that the Nenbutsu dance from the Kingdom of ryukyu era developed into Okinawa's unique traditional dance, and Eisa folk dance was born. The charm of Eisa folk dance is, above all, a brave performance!　If you watch this up close, you'll surely have Chimdon (thing your chest rings).
The distinctive feature of Eisa folk dance Night is that you can enjoy Eisa folk dance in Okinawa City, which has a unique culture. Okinawa City, where the Eisa folk dance Night was held, developed as a city of U.S. military bases immediately after the war. Bars, jazz clubs, fast food restaurants, etc. remain throughout the city where you can feel the American culture of the time, and it is known as a "champloo culture" city that combines Okinawa and American culture. Why don't you enjoy the dynamic Eisa folk dance up close while enjoying the exotic atmosphere of Okinawa City?

The Memorial Day on June 23, which was established as a day to comfort the spirits of the war dead in Okinawa and pray for peace, is an unforgettable day for Okinawan citizens. This year marks the 23rd and 22nd of June 22nd as the Memorial Day eve festival, and this year's event will be held to disseminate memorial service and peace by illuminating the "Pillar of Light of Peace" to the sky so that people can see it farther and more widely.
In Heiwakinen Park in the southern part of Okinawa Prefecture, five searchlights that resemble the pillars of Shiraki, which are the substitutes of the spirits of the war dead, connect the land of Mabunin, Itoman City, the end of Okinawa, and heaven.
※The five lights represent the war dead in Japan, the United States, U.K., the Korean Peninsula, and Taiwan.
The main event is the Pillar of Light of Peace, taking advantage of the quiet jet-black night in Heiwakinen Park, which has no permanent night lighting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In addition, as a sub-event, candles will be lit up, toross, songs and dances will be held so that participants can feel the memorial service of the war dead and the value of peace.
I think it's a good opportunity to think about peace with your family and friends, so why not spend a slightly different Okinawan night on this trip?

Every year on the weekend in late June, "Song opening from Okinawa! "Uta no Day Concert" will be held. This event was launched in 2001 by BEGIN, a popular artist from the prefecture. Popular artists from all over the prefecture will show off their masterpieces.
In the first place, "Uta no Day" is an anniversary established by BEGIN. With the intent of saying, "I think about the times during the war when I couldn't sing and dance dignifiedly, and thank you for your song," we designated June 24, the day after the end of the Battle of Okinawa on June 23, the day after the end of the Battle of Okinawa.
The event is held every year on Saturdays and Sundays after the 24th, with the hope that everyone in men and women of all ages, including local residents and tourists from Japan and overseas, will participate.
Also, at the song day concert, original goods such as T-shirts, half pants, face towels, and wristbands are sold. If you wear these goods, there is no doubt that you will be able to enjoy the event while enjoying a sense of unity with the performing artists and other guests!

How was it? Even before the full-fledged tourist season, you can fully enjoy your trip to Okinawa. If you come to Okinawa for a trip in June, you can touch the venerable traditional event or get excited at each music event. Why don't you enjoy your trip to Okinawa in front of Natsume?