Step into winter Okinawa like you accidentally walked through a portal… but instead of fighting monsters, you’re surrounded by glowing lanterns and zero responsibility. From December 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, the Ryukyu Lantern Festival is back to light up your evenings with thousands of warm, nostalgic lanterns.
Where and When 🌙
Event Dates: December 1, 2025 (Mon) – March 31, 2026 (Tue)
Time: 17:30–22:00 (last entry 21:30)
Location: Murasakimura, 1020-1 Takashiho, Yomitan Village | Google Pin
Ticket Prices 🎫
Adults: 1,800 yen
Middle & High School Students: 700 yen
Elementary School Students: 600 yen
Preschool Children: Free
A Walk Into Another World ✨
The moment you walk through the gate, a ceiling packed with glowing Chinese lanterns greets you like you’ve been chosen for some ancient Okinawan quest—just without the danger. The whole place recreates the 14th–15th century Ryukyu Kingdom, so the lanterns hit extra hard in the “wow, this is pretty” category.
The Dragon That Might Start Moving 🐉
The main venue, Tenshikan, recreates the 16th-century lodging for Chinese envoys. Here you’ll meet the festival’s superstar: a giant Nebuta-style dragon floating dramatically in the night. Don’t worry, it won’t eat you—probably.
More Lanterns Than Your Camera Can Handle 📸
Other areas feature Vietnamese lanterns, handmade lantern art, projection mapping, and even a workshop where you can build your own washi lantern for just 100 yen. There’s also a lantern object contest, because Okinawans don’t play when it comes to creativity.
The Night Lantern Café 🍜
As the lanterns light up, the samurai-era mansion “Shanatei” turns into a cozy nighttime café. Think steamed buns, dumplings, Taiwanese sausage, beer, soft drinks… basically everything your stomach demands the moment the night air gets cool.
Extra Quests You Can Join 🎮
There’s a stamp rally with prizes and a photo contest that’ll make you realize your phone storage is never enough.
Bonus Tip 💡
If you stay at the hotel next to the venue, you get in for free. A win for your wallet and your legs.
Oki Social Official Gift Shop
Established in 2021 in the heart of Kadena Air Base, Oki Social Store serves the community and all who love Okinawa. Our Okinawa-inspired souvenir shop features art and gifts designed and created by talented local artists right here on the island.
Event Schedule 🗓️
Projection Mapping
Times: 19:00 / 20:00 / 21:00
Duration: ~8 minutes
Location: Ryukyu Budokuden
Night Lantern Café
Time: Sunset – L.O. 21:30
Location: Shanatei
Washi Lantern Craft
Time Required: ~15 minutes
Fee: 100 yen
Other Highlights
Bamboo lantern path
Chinese dragon and lanterns
Washi lantern walkway
Vietnamese lanterns
Flower lanterns
Handmade lantern objects
“Everyone’s Art Lantern” displays
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.
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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