The sound of drums, the stomp of feet, and the hum of pure Okinawan energy — the 31st 10,000 Eisa Dancers Parade is back to turn Kokusai Street in Naha into one big moving festival!
If you’ve ever wanted to see what “everyone’s heart beating as one” looks like, this is it.
Where and When
🗓 Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
🕑 Time: 14:00–21:00
🚗 Traffic Restrictions: 11:00–22:00 (same as the usual Sunday Transit Mall)
📍 Location: Kokusai Street and nearby areas | Google Pin
(Okashi Goten Front, Hotel Collective Front, Tenbusu Naha Front, and Nigiwai Square)
☔ Canceled in case of severe weather
What’s Going On
Picture this: thousands of Eisa performers marching through Kokusai Street, drums booming, hands twirling, and tourists wondering if this is an earthquake of joy. That’s basically what you get with the 10,000 Eisa Dancers Parade.
Originally held in August, the organizers decided that sweating through your yukata wasn’t a spiritual experience, so they moved it to October — now an annual autumn tradition.
The festival first started in 1995 to bring life to Kokusai Street, and it’s grown into one of Okinawa’s biggest Eisa festivals, featuring groups from all over the island performing both traditional and creative Eisa.
What to Expect
Four major stages are set up along the route, and each group brings their own spin — from ancient rhythms passed down through generations to flashy modern performances that make even your in-laws’ shoulders start moving.
🎵 Main performance areas:
- In front of Okashi Goten
- In front of Hotel Collective
- In front of Tenbusu Naha
- Nigiwai Square
Throughout the day, the echo of paranku hand drums and the deep boom of odaiko drums fill the air. It’s like a cardio workout for your soul — and for your neck if you can’t stop turning to see everything happening around you.
Tips for Survival
Even though it’s autumn, the Okinawan sun doesn’t play nice. Bring water, wear something breathable, and keep your camera ready because you’re about to witness Okinawa at its most alive.
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Disclaimer
⚠️Disclaimer: Our passion for supporting local businesses drives us to share information about events in the Okinawa area. Please note that Oki Social is not responsible for hosting this event. It’s important to be aware that the event’s host reserves the right to make changes or even cancel the event without prior notice. Some photos and videos may come from various sources on the internet, whether official or unofficial. It is possible that some photos and videos may have been taken from the same event in previous occurrences.
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