Yaeyama Islands Beach Opening Festival

When many people on Honshu (Japan’s main island) are still shivering away in their houses and apartments, people on Ishigaki are preparing to take the first swim of summer at The Yaeyama Islands Beach Opening festival

The Yaeyama Islands Beach Opening Festival is the first beach opening festival in Japan each year and leads the way for similar festivals to take place on all the other Okinawa Islands.

The events of the day start out with a formal proclamation to mark the start of beach season on the Yaeyama Islands and then the crowd makes a mad rush for the water. Later in the day’s events the winner from the “Miss. Yaeyama” beauty pageant is introduced to the crowd. People also have the chance to participate in some water activities and games. Of course there are food vendors and musical entertainment to keep the energy of the day high and add to the fun.

From Naha Airport Approx. 60min to Ishigaki Airport by airplane
From Ishigaki Port Approx. 25min.by ship to Kuro Island

Name of Venue: Miyazato Beach (Kuro Island)
Date: End of March
Starting time: 9:00 am
Address: Taketomi Town, Okinawa
Phone: 0980-82-2809 Ishigaki City Tourist Association