Events on Izena Island
Izena Shoen-O Festival (Japan's oldest festival, held annually on May 15)
The Izena Village Summer Festival brings together islanders, tourists, and visitors returning to their hometowns! In addition to the stage performances by artists from outside the island, "Shunichi Irei," a singer-songwriter from the island, and Izena Shoen Taiko drums, an offshore fishing tournament and a youth soccer tournament will be held during the daytime.
Public Affairs Seimei Ceremony at Tamagoten
The "Kouji Seimei Matsuri," which is a visit to the grave of the Sho family, will be held at the nationally designated important cultural property "Tamagoden" on Izena Island, the hometown of the second Sho family of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The ceremony used to be held at Tamaryo in Shuri, but now you can see the precious ceremony held only on Izena Island.
Unnaa with a bountiful harvest
Starting on June 15 of the lunar calendar, after the rice harvest is over, a tug-of-war festival is held every year in each village with ropes woven from straw. This is a very rare traditional event, as it is held in different ways in four villages: Seryaku, Nakata, Moromi, and Izena.
Events on Izena Island
Sea God Festival Hurley Tournament
The Izena Fishermen's Hurley Tournament is sponsored by the Izena Fishermen's Cooperative Association. Participants in the race include village residents, youth groups from each village, women's groups, vocational teams, and fishing branch teams from each village. The races are very powerful and enjoyable. Tourists are also welcome to watch.
Izena 88 Triathlon
This is a historic event that started in 1988.
fertility festival
This is a traditional event held every year on August 11 and 12 of the lunar calendar in different forms in the five villages of Seryaku, Nakada, Moromi, Izena, and Uchihana. Eisa, stick fighting, and entertainment are performed in each village, and everyone from children to the elderly can enjoy themselves and deepen exchanges throughout the night. Tourists can also observe the event at the community center.
Get closer to the islanders.
Events and functions provide more opportunities to meet people on the island who don't normally walk around.
It will be a valuable day to see the real faces of the islanders!
April Public Affairs Seimei Festival
It is held every year in early April (before the general Seimei Festival) at the Izena Tamagoden. It is a prestigious event to hold memorial services for relatives of King Shoen who are buried in Tamagoden.
The vessels used to hold offerings are replicas of those presented by the Shuri Royal Government, and the real ones are still on display at the Izena Village Fureai Folk Museum.
The Tamagoden, which is usually locked, is opened once a year on this day, and is open to the public as well as the head of the Sho family, the village head, and other related people.
Organizer: Izena Village Board of Education ■Place: Tamagoden (National Important Cultural Property)
Around June Umijin Festival Hurley Tournament
Yucca Nusuk, the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, is a traditional event to pray for safety and good catches in the fishing industry.
On that weekend, the Izena Fishermen's Cooperative Association holds a hurley tournament, where participants compete in rowing boats and the entire island is filled with excitement.
The sea man showdown is very powerful. It is a summer tradition unique to Izena Island that can be enjoyed by families while swimming in the sea.
Organizer：Izena Fishery Cooperative Association ■Place：Izena Beach
Around July Good harvest Unna
Every year, starting with Seori-shaku Unna on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month, the Saturday of the week of the 17th day of the 6th lunar month is Nakata-gu
It will be held in Moromi District on the 25th day of the 6th lunar month and in Izena District on Saturday, the 25th day of the 6th lunar month.
The festival is held every week in four villages, so you can enjoy viewing any of them.
We will also be holding the annual Seiri-shaku Unna Tour, a community participation tour sponsored by the Tourism Association.
â- You will enjoy it many times more if you mingle with the village.â
Sponsor: Villages in each ward (Seriaku, Nakata, Moromi, and Izena) ■Location: Community center in each ward
August Izena Shoen-O Festival
This is a village-sponsored summer festival held every year during the summer vacation in August.
In addition to the island's bands, performing arts, Shoen Taiko drums and children's stage
Off-island artists, laser shows, fireworks, etc. will be held.
In the daytime, offshore fishing and youth soccer tournaments are also held, making the island lively!
There are also stalls where you can enjoy local gourmet foods, and the large outdoor stage is so powerful that it is hard to believe that it is on a remote island♪
Organizer：Izena Shoen-O Festival Executive Committee ■Place：Izena Village Rinkai Fureai Park Outdoor Stage Plaza
Around September Old August Harvest Festival
Held annually on August 11 and 12 of the lunar calendar at the community center of each village
Eisa by the youth association and women's association, stick fighting by the youth association, and other entertainment will be performed in each village.
Tourists can also view the exhibition in front of the community center.
The event will be held at the community center of each village, and information about that year's event will be posted on the Izena Island Tourist Association website and SNS.
Organizer: Villages in each ward ■Place: Community centers in each ward (Izena, Nakata, Moromi, Seirikaku, and Naika wards)
Around November Izena 88 Triathlon
2km swim, 66km bike, 20km run race
A small triathlon on a small island started in 1988!
A race full of emotion in the magnificent nature and crystal clear sea, with the support of the islanders, who are full of humanity.
Village residents and athletes unite at the final communion party.
Information about the tournament will be posted on the Hizena Island Tourist Association website and SNS.
Organizer: Izena 88 Triathlon Executive Committee ■Place: (Start) Izena Beach (Finish) Izena Village Rinkai Fureai Park Ground
Around January New Year's Gathering of Izena villagers
This is a gathering of village residents held at the Izena Village Industrial Support Center in the New Year in January.
This is a New Year's party centered on the village residents, and island gourmet foods will be presented by various groups on the island.
There is a ticket system and off-island quota is limited, but heavy repeaters on the island and vendors who do business on the island can participate.
Organizer: New Year's Izena Village Citizens' Gathering Executive Committee ■Location: Izena Village Industrial Support Center
Precautions for coming to the island during the event
1: Accommodations
Accommodations on Izena Island have limited capacity. Please make your reservations as early as possible, as many of them are fully booked on the day of the tour. Also, there are many people on the waiting list, so please contact the accommodation facility as soon as possible in case of cancellation.
2: About Ferries
Reservations are not required for the ferry for people only, but if you wish to bring your car on board, please make a reservation in advance as the ferry is often full. Please make reservations in advance. Also, please leave home early as the port of Unten is expected to be quite crowded on the day of your visit.
3: Inquiries about the event
As soon as we collect information from each organizer, we will publish it on our website. Please note that the Tourism Association is not the organizer of each event and cannot release information without accurate information from the organizer.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.
4: Prevention of the spread of infection
Please refrain from attending the event if you have symptoms of new coronas, influenza or other infectious diseases.
Q&A
When will the event dates be released?
Since each event or event is organized by a different organizer, there will be differences in the release of information. We will collect information as soon as possible.
Can tourists participate in village events such as the Unna or Harvest Festival?
Yes, you can participate if you just want to watch the event. However, since food and beverages in the event are covered by each village's budget, we recommend that you make a donation to each village or bring your own food and beverages if your participation involves drinking and eating.
How can I find the dates of the event?
We will announce it on the village website or on the website and SNS of Izena Island Tourist Association.
Can I find out the availability of accommodations at the Tourist Association?
The Association does not know the availability of each lodging facility, so please inquire at each lodging facility. If all rooms are full, we may be able to arrange private accommodations for you.
Are there any hubs when walking through the village at night?
There are no hubs on Izena Island.
Are there any restaurants open during the event?
Please contact each restaurant in advance as they may be closed during Unnaa and the festival.
Does Unner have a storefront?
There will be refreshments at each unner venue.
Is there food at the Harvest Festival?
Food at the Harvest Festival is prepared only for the villagers, and there are no food stalls, so we recommend that visitors finish their meal before coming to the festival.
What time is the Public Affairs Seimei Festival?
The event will start around 10:00 a.m. on the day of the event, so please enter the village the day before if you wish to visit.
