Nago SAKURA Matsuri

(名護さくら祭り)

Nago City, Okinawa Pref.

All Day See Okinawa

About the festival

Spring season in Okinawa arrives early in comparison to the Honshu (main island) of Japan where cherry blossoms usually bloom from late March into April. Okinawa experiences long summers and short spring, autumn and winter seasons as a result of the relatively small year-around temperature differences caused by its subtropical climate. As a result, the cherry blossoms bloom early. 

Nago Central Park located around the area of Nangusuku Castle—a ruin situated on a hill 100m above sea level on the east side of downtown Nago City—is a famous site for the vivid pink Formosan cherry (or Hikan-zakura), unlike the pale pink Yoshino cherry seen predominantly on the main islands of Japan.
At Nago Cherry Blossom Festival, viewers are able to enjoy Nangusuku Castle's cherry blossoms in full bloom, along the 2km long path as well as from the observation deck on the top of the hill. A variety of performances are held on the specially erected stage inside the Sakura park downtown, while costume parades and marches are held on the main street. 
It is a festival celebrated by the entire community in order to enjoy the arrival of spring. 

135 Reh Nago Sakura Matsuri

Things to do

1. Earliest cherry blossoms in Japan! Experience the early arrival of spring

135 Re1 1 Nago Sakura Matsuri
135 Re1 2 Nago Sakura Matsuri

Vivid pink blossoms of Formosan cherry (or Hikan-zakura) bloom beautifully under clear blue January skies. 

Experience the earliest arrival of spring in Japan as you stroll along the pink paths of Nago Central Park, while eating food bought from one of the outdoor vendors. 

2. Enjoy the festival participated by the citizens, featuring traditional performances and parades!

135 Re2 1 Nago Sakura Matsuri
135 Re2 2 Nago Sakura Matsuri

A wide variety of performances—such as Eisa (equivalent of the mainland Japanese Bon-odori dance)(https://ohmatsuri.com/en/articles/okinawa-zento-eisa-matsuri
, Ryukyu-buyo dance among other performances—are held over the course of two days at the festival stage. 

On the main street in downtown Nago city, costume parades and marches are held and participated by local citizens. 
Furthermore, a potted plant market (in addition to other shops and attractions) is held at Nago fishing port. The entire town enjoys the festive moods.

Information (基本情報)

  • Festival Dates Held on January 25th (Sat) and 26th (Sun), 2020
    Held annually on the last weekend of January
  • Place Nago Central Park, Temporary Festival Stage (Sakura Park) and Nago Jujiro Main Intersection
  • General Participation Anybody can participate
  • International Reception and Info. Pamphlets for foreign visitors available at the festival HQ
  • Wi-Fi Unavailable
  • Restrooms Available
  • Other useful Info. Unavailable
  • HP

    http://nago-kanko.jugem.jp/

  • SNS

    https://ja-jp.facebook.com/nagokanko/

  • Contact Nago City Tourism Association
    0980-53-7755

Rules & Manners(参加のルール&マナー)

N/A

Access Map (アクセスと地図)

Access to Nago City

[nearest station]
None

Festival location
Address: Gusuku 2-4, Nago City, Okinawa
Bus: 5 min walk from Nangusuku Iriguchi bus stop on Nago-nishi (west) line. 
*Please be aware that the bus stop is moved from its regular location during the festival due to traffic regulations.

Kazumi Terai
Public Relations/Writer
Born in Gunma. Web creator. Loves clime-suspense dramas of overseas.

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