The 63rd Nago Sakura Festival

Just when winter thinks it can hang around a little longer, Nago City says nope and explodes into pink. The 63rd Nago Sakura Festival is happening on January 31 (Sat) & February 1 (Sun), 2026, and if you’ve never seen Okinawan cherry blossoms… this is your sign.

Unlike the soft, shy sakura up north, Kanhizakura blooms bold and confident — deep pink, dramatic, and absolutely not here to be subtle. About 2 km of walking paths at Nago Castle Park turn into a cherry-blossom tunnel, and once the sun goes down, lantern lights kick in and the whole place switches to romantic-mode real fast.

But this isn’t just a “walk quietly and admire flowers” kind of festival.

🎺 Parades, Eisa, and Full-On Festival Energy

Both days feature lively parades with brass bands, costumed performers, and Eisa dancers marching through the streets. Once the parade wraps up, the area becomes a pedestrian-only zone, so you can wander freely without playing real-life Frogger.

At the festival stage, you’ll catch live performances by local groups and the famous Futami Love Story Contest — equal parts heartwarming and “did they really just say that on stage?”

🥁 Drums, Trees, and That Okinawa Vibe

In front of the iconic Hinpun Gajumaru, the powerful beats of Nago Sakura Taiko hit hard — the kind you feel in your chest, not just your ears. It’s loud, proud, and very Okinawa.

Event Info (Save This Part)

📅 Dates: January 31 (Sat) & February 1 (Sun), 2026
🕚 Time: 11:00 – 21:00
🌙 Illumination: 18:00 – 22:00
📍 Location: Nago Castle Park & surrounding areas (Nago City)
💴 Admission: Free (yes, free)
🚗 Parking: Nago Fishing Port (shuttle bus available)

Saturday, January 31

Elementary & Junior High School Brass Band Parade
Route: FamilyMart Nago Onishi Store → Hinpun Gajumaru Tree

Nago City Women’s Association Dance Parade
Route: FamilyMart Nago Onishi Store → Hinpun Gajumaru Tree

Sunday, February 1

Costume Parade
Route: FamilyMart Nago Onishi Store → Hinpun Gajumaru Tree

Traditional Dance “Kuwadisaa”
Route: FamilyMart Nago Onishi Store → Hinpun Gajumaru Tree

Shopping Street–Related Events

Nago Sakura Taiko (in front of the Hinpun Gajumaru Tree), and more

🌸 Bottom Line?

If you like cherry blossoms, festivals, street energy, drums, lanterns, and the feeling that spring is officially starting — Nago Sakura Festival delivers. Come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and plan to stay longer than you thought you would. That’s just how these things go.

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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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