(Illustration courtesy of Naha Municipal Pottery Museum)
Come Nov. 1-2, Tsuboya Yachimun Dori, a.k.a. Tsuboya Yachimun Pottery Street in Naha City, is going to host a festival.
Yahimun is a traditional pottery of Okinawa that has a history of more than 600 years.
The festival is a good opportunity to purchase the signature craft of Okinawa for a good price. About 40 shops lined up along the street will offer discounts.
On the first day of the event, players of sanshin, a three-stringed musical instrument of Okinawa, will perform live, and flamenco dancers will parade the street to pump up the mood. On the second day, labarum carriers from Tsuboya District will march down the street. Measuring 7 meters or more in height, 40 kilograms or more in weight, the labarum a district’ symbol locals are very proud of. Carrying the huge labarum takes a lot of skill and practice, and it is also an entertainment regularly performed in the Naha Tug War.
On both days, food booths and street vendors will be there, while the Naha Municipal Pottery Museum at the north end of the street will offer free admission.
On the second day, a Ryukyu Kingdom-themed parade will take place on Kokusai Street, which is located near the pottery street.
Why not visit the Yachimun Dori and immerse yourself in Okinawa culture?
Tsuboya Yachimun Dori Matsuri 2025
*Flamenco dancers’ parade is scheduled at 1 p.m. on Nov. 1 to be followed by sanshin performance at 2 p.m. Labarum carriers will perform past noon on Nov. 2.
AloJapan.com