Naha Giant Tug-of-War Festival Travel Guide

Event Overview

The Naha Giant Tug-of-War Festival is a signature traditional celebration held over a three-day weekend including Sports Day, with the main festivities centered around the Okinawa Kenritsu Okinawa Arena Park area in Naha, Okinawa. With a history dating back to the 17th century, it is one of Naha's three major festivals, alongside Naha Hari and Jury Horse racing. Formerly known as the Naha Festival, it was renamed to its current name in 2011.

Highlights & How to Enjoy

The main event is the Naha Giant Tug-of-War, which boasts a scale recognized by the Guinness World Records. Two teams, East and West, pull a massive rope approximately 200m long and weighing about 40 tons. As the tug-of-war begins, a giant decorative ball breaks open, releasing colorful confetti and balloons into the air.

Before the tug-of-war, you can witness the 'Sunei' parade, a grand procession featuring traditional 'Hatagashira' (ornamental flag poles). These magnificent structures, reaching 7 to 10 meters in height, are a breathtaking sight as they march through the streets. The festival also offers a diverse range of entertainment, including traditional performing arts parades, stages with local musicians, and various activities for families to enjoy.

Schedule

The main tug-of-war event takes place on October 13.

11:15 Flagship Procession (Ufunna Sunei) departure at Tsuboya Elementary School
11:30 Procession departs
14:00 Procession ends
14:45 Naha Giant Tug-of-War Ceremony begins
16:05 Kusudama (decorative ball) breaks, tug-of-war starts
16:30 Tug-of-war ends, Kareituna-tori ceremony
17:00 Partial lifting of traffic restrictions, rope removal
19:00 All traffic restrictions lifted

Venue & Access

The main tug-of-war takes place near the Kumoji intersection on Route 58. It is a rare and spectacular sight to see the central median blocks temporarily removed to accommodate the massive rope.

Related events and citizen festivals may also be held at the Okinawa Kenritsu Okinawa Arena Park area.

Participation Tips

The tug-of-war is a very open event where not only locals but also tourists and international visitors are welcome to participate. It is a rare opportunity to actually touch and pull the massive rope. After the event, participants can take part in the 'Kareituna-tori' to receive a piece of the rope as a charm for good health and safety.

What to Bring, Clothing & Etiquette

Large-scale traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue. Since heavy congestion is expected around Route 58, we highly recommend using public transportation. Please check the official website for further details.