Okinawa’s summer isn’t summer without some serious drum-banging, dance-spinning, sweat-flying Eisa action—and Chatan is bringing it all back for the 44th Eisa Festival in Chatan on Sunday, August 10! 🎆🌀
If you’ve never seen Eisa before, imagine a drumline had a baby with a dance crew during a thunderstorm. It’s loud. It’s fast. It’s proud. And it makes your heart thump like you accidentally drank three cans of Orion beer too fast. 🍺
What’s Eisa Again? 🎭
Eisa is a traditional Okinawan folk dance, usually performed during Obon to honor the spirits of ancestors. But Chatan’s youth clubs have taken it to a whole new level—with coordinated routines, bold drumming, and enough energy to power a small village. It’s tradition turned up to eleven. 🔊
Festival Vibes in Chatan 🌅
Hosted by the Chatan Town Youth Federation, this festival isn’t just local. These folks have performed overseas too. So yeah, they’re basically the Eisa rockstars of the central region.
This year’s show will feature:
- 🥁 Sakaeguchi Youth Association
- 🥁 Jahana Youth Association
- 🥁 Plus five guest Eisa groups from around Okinawa (aka, the Avengers of Eisa)
Prepare yourself for performances so fierce you’ll feel the vibrations in your flip-flops.
The Grand Finale: Kachāshī Time! 🕺💃
The night ends with Kachāshī, a freestyle Okinawan dance party where everyone’s welcome to shake what their grandma gave them. You don’t need rhythm—just a willingness to wave your hands like you’re fanning a barbecue. Pure Okinawan joy.
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Event Details 📅
Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Time: Gates open at 4:00 PM, Performances begin at 5:00 PM
Location: Kuwae General Sports Park, Chatan
Rain Plan: If the weather messes things up, it’s moving to Sunday, August 17
So come out, bring a towel, hydrate like you’re training for a desert marathon, and get ready to dance, cheer, and yell “Eisa!” until you lose your voice.
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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