Okinawa lights up the night sky!

Throughout the summer, Japan’s night skies light up with the brilliance of “hanabi,” or fireworks.
Japan’s fireworks are known worldwide for their artistic qualities – perfect shape, exquisite colors and enormous size, as well as the poetic sense of ephemerality they produce. In many cases, a single firework changes colors two to three times after it is launched.
During the pandemic, the colorful displays were either postponed or put on as a surprise to avoid crowds gathering. This year, however, many cities around the country are bringing back their elaborate fireworks displays.
On Okinawa, COVID-19 is still casting a cloud, but some of the annual fireworks displays are coming back to light up the skies over the island. Catch the pyrotechnics at some of the local Eisa festivals or hosted by resort hotels.
Most events often offer other forms of fun, including food and game booths. While some fireworks events highlight tourist at-tractions, others go along with traditional local matsuri festivals. This summer, why not get off base and take in some of the local hanabi?

Eisa & Summer Festivals

Chatan Hanabi (Fireworks) at Depot Island

Date: August 5 – September 30 (every Saturday during the period)

Time: 8 p.m. –

Location: Depot Island in American Village

GPS Coordinates: 26.315810, 127.754709

Ogimi-son Natsumatsuri

Date: August 5 & 6

Time: 2 – 9 p.m.

Location: Shioya Fishing Port

GPS Coordinates: 26.673319, 128.104385

*A parking space will be set up in an area to the north of the fishing port.

*Fireworks are scheduled on Sunday August 6, staring 8:10 p.m.

*This is a festival to be hosted Ogimi village’s local community. Live entertainment such as music and dance performances plus a tug-of-war are scheduled as well.

Zento Eisa Matsuri (All Island Eisa Festival)

Date: September 8, 9, 10

Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m. (parade, Sept 8), 3 – 9 p.m. (Sept 9 and 10)

Location: Okinawa City KOZA Sports Park (South of Kadena Air Base)

GPS Coordinates: 26.333052, 127.788503

*No parking available on site.

*Fireworks are expected to start at 8:45 p.m. on each day.

Website (info to be updated on the website)

Uruma City Eisa Festival

Date: Sept 16, 17

Time: 5 – 9 p.m. (subject to change)

Location: Yonashiro Sogo Koen Rikujo Kyogijo (Athletic Field)

GPS Coordinates: 26.328371, 127.906883

*Parking will not be available on-site (parking areas to be set up near the venue). 

*Fireworks are scheduled on both days.

Fireworks event at Resort Hotels

Manza Natsuno Uchiage Hanabi

Date: August 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Time: 9 p.m - (three minutes)

Location: ANA INTERCONTINENTAL MANZA BEACH RESORT

GPS Coordinates: 26.508340, 127.858092

*Parking fee costs 3,000 yen per regular car or motorcycle

Natsu no Hanabi

Date: August 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19

Time: 9 p.m. (three minutes)

Location: SHERATON Okinawa Sunmarina Resort

GPS Coordinates: 26.461109, 127.811839

Parking fee: 600 yen per hour

*Due to the ongoing pandemic, the events listed below are subject to changes and cancellations.