The Hounensai (Harvest Festival) is a traditional agricultural ritual held every summer in the Yaeyama Islands, including Ishigaki, Taketomi island, Iriomote island, Hatoma island and Kuro island in Okinawa Prefecture, …
DiscoverYaima went to an Awamori distillery for a hands-on Awamori tour and tasting. And it was our first time! I gasped for a moment, because it was quite an extraordinary …
Article by Ishigaki City Tourism Culture Division,Planning Department Kabira, Ishigaki City, where beautiful nature meets a vibrant tapestry of cultural traditionsKabira, known for its emerald green waters that evoke sighs …
[:en] Kitsugansai Festival on Kohama island is a colourful spectacle for the outsider. During this ‘wishes are fulfilled’ festival, Kohama inhabitants thank the kami (gods) for a good harvest and …
[:en]For many creatives, Tokyo is in their top 5 of must visits. And sometimes they make an extra flight to the Yaeyama islands. For the same reason I did once. …
[:en]The day after O bon (or Bon). Obon, the festival to honour the spirits of one’s ancestors Bon is the most important event in Japan. Many Japanese families reunite with …
[:en] Meet Sanpin-chan on Kohama island. He’s one of the endangered Yonaguni Japanese breed ponies. It’s one of the eight pony breeds native to Japan. Yonaguni horses have a …
[:en]Don’t miss the traditional harvest festival Hounensai, if you’re in Ishigaki, Iriomote or one of the other islands. This festival is held to thank the gods for the rich harvest …
[:en]Juroku-nichi-sai is New Year’s Day for the ancestors. It’s the 16th day of the new year, the day after the first full moon in the moon calendar or lunar calendar. …