When you think of a romantic Okinawan night, you might picture a beach, some Orion beer, and your in-laws arguing about who forgot the bug spray. But this November, you can add glowing sky lanterns over a 600-year-old castle to that list of unforgettable experiences.
Where and When
🗓 November 2 (Sun), November 8 (Sat), November 15 (Sat), November 23 (Sun, Holiday)
⏰ Gates open at 18:00 / Start 18:30 (Nov 23 starts earlier: 16:30 open / 17:00 start)
📍 Katsuren Castle Ruins, 3807-2 Katsuren Haebaru, Uruma City, Okinawa
A Magical Night Above a World Heritage Site ✨
The Katsuren Castle Sky Lantern Evening Festival 2025 celebrates the 25th anniversary of this UNESCO World Heritage treasure—and it’s every bit as breathtaking as it sounds. Picture around 200 softly glowing lanterns drifting into the autumn night sky, floating above ancient stone walls that once guarded Ryukyu kings.
But don’t worry—no real fire here. These LED lanterns are raised with strings, not flames, making the event as eco-friendly and safe as it is photogenic. You won’t burn the castle down or set your cousin’s hair on fire.
Special Nights with Different Themes 🌕
Each night of the festival comes with its own twist, so it’s basically four festivals for the price of one (and that price is free to enter).
🎭 Nov 2 (Sun): Kimitaka Cultural Festa
🌙 Nov 8 (Sat): Sky Lantern Umui de Night
💞 Nov 15 (Sat): Sky Lantern Roman de Night
🦁 Nov 23 (Sun, Holiday): 37th All-Island Lion Dance Festival
Tickets & Souvenirs 🎟
Admission is free, but if you want to release your own lantern (and take it home afterward), tickets are ¥2,000 each.
- One ticket = one lantern
- Kids under 12 can’t handle lanterns (sorry, it’s a safety thing)
- Only 200 tickets per night, sold online starting October 1, 2025—so don’t procrastinate like it’s your tax return.
Why This Year Matters 🕊
2025 marks 80 years since the end of World War II, making this peaceful light festival even more meaningful. Each lantern carries someone’s wish for a better world—plus, it’s a great excuse to post something deep on Instagram without sounding like your aunt’s Facebook quote post.
So grab your camera, your friends, and maybe your favorite in-law (if such a thing exists), and let your wish for peace shine over Katsuren Castle this fall.
Happiness in Okinawa Is…
A heart warming book that illustrates 365 happy moments about living on Okinawa. Now on sale on Amazon and in store.
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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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