Yonabaru Great Tug-of-War Festival

An Okinawan traditional event with a history of about 450 years dating back to the 1500s. Known as one of the three great tug-of-war festivals of Okinawa, it is held to pray for a bountiful harvest, the health of local residents, and the prosperity of the community. The festival takes place on the weekend following the 26th day of the 6th month in the lunar calendar. The main tug-of-war event is held on Sunday evening, followed by fireworks that mark the grand finale.

The tug-of-war uses an enormous rope measuring approximately 90 meters in length and weighing around 5 tons. About 1,000 participants, divided into eastern and western teams, pull against each other to determine the winner. One of the festival’s defining features is that general visitors can join on the day as rope carriers or pullers. The shared experience of carrying the rope and pulling together in unison creates a powerful sense of unity unique to this event.

The festival is held across two main venues: Goten-yama Youth Plaza, where the tug-of-war takes place, and Yonabaru-hama Park, which hosts stage performances and food stalls. Yonabaru-hama Park comes alive with a variety of performances and local food offerings by community groups and organizations. As dates and times may change due to typhoons or other weather conditions, be sure to check the official website before visiting.