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, Japan.
The festival is dedicated to praying for a good harvest, health, and peace in the community, and has been carefully preserved in each village for centuries.
Celebrations take place across islands such as Ishigaki, Iriomote, Taketomi, Kuroshima, and Hatoma, with each island showcasing unique ceremonies and performing arts.
Hounensai rituals and celebrations
Typically, the Hounensai consists of two parts: the Onpuuru (ritual ceremony) and the Murapuuru (celebration and entertainment).
Onpuuru is the ritual ceremony dedicated to the gods, also known as Ugan in the local dialect. It takes place at sacred sites called utaki, often located in forested areas or near the sea. Spiritual female priestesses conduct spiritual ceremonies to give thanks for the harvest and pray for the next year’s abundance. Offerings of Awamori, food, and traditional dances are performed as part of this deeply sacred occasion. In some communities, access is restricted to non-locals or tourists to maintain the sanctity of the ritual.
| Unlock Yaeyama’s Secrets with respect for local traditions and rituals The ISL& Natural Guides Ishigaki will be your local travel friend to help you move freely around the islands with an adventurous explorer mindset. Find out what are the do’s and don’ts around traditional festivals and spiritual locations. Furthermore the guide is packed with in-depth insights from local islanders, stunning photographs that bring every beach and cultural events to life, and even interviews with islanders who’ve shared their deep connection with Ishigaki island. Plus, you’ll find tips and tricks only a local would know – think secret viewpoints, must-try cafes, and cultural tidbits. And don’t forget the handy maps. I created this guidebook as your friendly island companion, helping you travel smarter and experience the Yaeyama islands from a true and deeper connected local perspective. |
Murapuuru is the celebratory portion of the festival, usually held the day after or in the afternoon following the Onpuuru ritual. It takes place in community halls or outdoor stages and includes traditional performing arts such as bo-jutsu (staff martial arts), lion dances, sanshin music, and theatrical performances. Residents of all ages participate, and visitors are often welcome to join. The event plays an essential role in fostering community bonds and passing down traditions across generations.
During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, the ritual aspect was centered around sacred sites called “utaki”. And even today, the spiritual rituals remain a core aspect of the festival.
Schedule Hounensai harvest festival 2025
The dates for celebrating Hounensai change every year. To help you out this year, we shared with you the schedule for the important Houensai harvest festivals in 2025 all around Ishigaki island.
| Date | Area | Venue / Utaki | Type |
| 2025/07/12 (Sat) | Taketomi Island | — | 豊年祭 / Hounensai |
| 2025/07/13 (Sun) | Taketomi Island | — | 続き行事 / Continuation |
| 2025/07/13 (Sun) | Funauki Iriomote Island | — | 豊年祭 / Hounensai |
| 2025/07/19–20 (Sat–Sun) | Hatoma Island | — | 豊年祭 / Hounensai |
| 2025/07/20 (Sun) | Shiraho Ishigaki | Kazari-baka Utaki / 飾墓御嶽 | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/07/21 (Mon) | Shiraho Ishigaki | Kazari-baka Utaki / 飾墓御嶽 | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/07/22 (Tue) | Miyara Ishigaki | Miyara Village Stand, etc. / 宮良村桟敷ほか | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/07/23 (Wed) | Miyara Ishigaki | Miyara Village Stand, etc. / 宮良村桟敷ほか | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/07/23–24 (Wed–Thu) | Iriomote Island (Sonai & Hoshitate) | — | 豊年祭 / Hounensai |
| 2025/07/25 (Fri) | Hirae & Maezato Ishigaki | Oamo & Yasui Utaki / 大阿母御嶽・安居御嶽 | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/07/26 (Sat) | Hirae & Maezato Ishigaki | Oamo Utaki / 大阿母御嶽 | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/07/27 (Sun) | Ozato Ishigaki | Ozato Community Hall / 大里公民館 | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/08/01 (Fri) | Kabira Ishigaki | Gunboshi Utaki, etc. / 群星御嶽ほか | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/08/02 (Sat) | Ohama Ishigaki | Sakihara Road, etc. / 崎原道路など | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/08/02 (Sat) | Kuroshima (Kuro Island) | Miyazato Beach / 宮里海岸 | 豊年祭 / Hounensai |
| 2025/08/03 (Sun) | Sakieda Ishigaki | Sakieda Utaki / 崎枝御嶽 | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/08/03 (Sun) | Ohama Ishigaki | Sakihara Road, etc. / 崎原道路など | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/08/10 (Sun) | Nagura Ishigaki | Nagura Utaki / 名蔵御嶽 | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/08/11 (Mon) | Ibaruma Ishigaki | Ibaruma Community Hall / 伊原間公民館 | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/08/12 (Tue) | Arakawa Ishigaki | Nagasaki Utaki / 長崎御嶽 | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/08/12 (Tue) | Okawa Ishigaki | Ooishigaki Utaki / 大石垣御嶽 | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/08/12 (Tue) | Ishigaki City Center | Miyatori Utaki / 宮鳥御嶽 | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/08/12 (Tue) | Tonoshiro Ishigaki | Amakawa Utaki / 天川御嶽 | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/08/12 (Tue) | Futaba Ishigaki | Futaba Hall / 双葉公民館 | オンプール（Ritual） |
| 2025/08/13 (Wed) | Ishigaki City Center | Around Miyatori & Maitsuba utaki | ムラプール（Celebration） |
| 2025/08/13 (Wed) | Shikaza Ishigaki | Maotoba Utaki / 真乙姥御嶽 | ムラプール（Celebration） |
Sales points Paperback ISL& Natural Guides Ishigaki
| Grab a copy of your local Ishigaki guide Without local guidance, it’s easy to leave with only a surface-level understanding of a place instead of a deep appreciation of its culture and community. Local knowledge doesn’t just make every moment more memorable and meaningful—it also ensures your trip supports local communities and sustainable practices. That’s why I poured all these insights into my guidebook to give you the insider knowledge and cultural context you need for an enriching adventure. |
Available both as a handy E-Book and a beautiful printed keepsake, my guide dives deeper into beautiful Ishigaki island.