Yonabaru Ōtsunahiki

It is the only one of the three great tugs-of-war where anyone can turn up on the day and pull.

The rope weighs five tonnes and is ninety metres long; performers dressed as historical figures climb on top of it, while drums beat below. The difference from Naha lies in the invitation: here the organisers write that anyone can take part by turning up on time, tourists included, and they recommend shoes, not sandals. In the town there is also a dedicated museum, and it is free.

It has been held for over four centuries, since the time of King Shō En, and together with those of Naha and Itoman it forms the trio of great tugs-of-war of Okinawa. The tug takes place on the Udunyama open ground; the festival in Yonakohama Park.

ℹ️ You watch from the street and there is nothing to pay. The tug starts at 17:00 and ends at 18:00, with the procession from 15:50. The roads stay closed for two days and it is best to arrive by public transport. ⚠️ Anyone who wants to pull turns up on time, without registering. The tug-of-war museum is on the second floor of the community centre, 9:30–16:30 with a break between noon and one o'clock, closed on Tuesdays, on public holidays, from 29 December to 3 January and on 23 June; free admission, 098-945-0611.

🚉 Yonaha · 12 min walk

Sources: town.yonabaru.okinawa.jp

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