Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri 2024

The Okinawa Zen-to Eisa Matsuri (Okinawa All-Island Eisa Festival) is the largest Eisa event in Okinawa Prefecture, held every year on the weekend following the Bon Festival in Okinawa City. Spanning three days, the festival boasts an impressive attendance of around 300,000 spectators.

History: The Okinawa All-Island Eisa Matsuri traces its roots back to 1956 when it was initially organized as the All-Island Eisa Concourse in the year of the establishment of the former Koza City (now Okinawa City). The festival’s inception was triggered by the imposition of the Off-Limits declaration by the U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands. The economic blockade resulting from Off-Limits dealt a severe blow to the business and industrial sectors of the former Koza City, which had been thriving in a dependent relationship with the military bases.

In the face of economic hardship and dwindling hope, the business community of former Koza City, with Eisa already being a popular tradition in the area, took the initiative. The Chamber of Commerce, primarily composed of merchants, organized the “Let’s Revive Our Spirits with Eisa!” concourse. The festival took on its current form as the “Okinawa Zen-to Eisa Matsuri” from the 22nd edition in 1977. It has since evolved into a three-day event, attracting an impressive total audience of around 300,000 people and solidifying its status as the largest Eisa event in the prefecture.

 

 

 

 

Event Summary

Okinawa City, Okinawa, Japan

Period
August 23, 24 and 25, 2024

Official Web：Click Here