Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Okinawa

On Iriomote Island in Okinawa's Yaeyama archipelago, the Sonai and Hoshidate communities have observed the Shichi Festival for some 500 years. Held over three days beginning on the day of the Earth-Boar in the tenth lunar month, this New Year-style rite of the southern Ryukyus features boat racing to call prosperity from across the sea, the Miriku procession, the elegant Shichi-Angar dance, comic plays, lion dance, and pole martial arts. Designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1991, it preserves the richest surviving repertoire of the southern islands' year-turning ceremonies — a living rite on a UNESCO World Natural Heritage island.

Held for some 400 to 500 years in the inlet of Shioya Bay in Ogimi Village, northern Okinawa, the Ungami is an ancient Sea Deity Festival in which female ritual specialists welcome visiting deities believed to come from Nirai-Kanai across the sea. Designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1997, the festival preserves a remarkably archaic form of Ryukyuan folk faith—from the white-clad procession of priestesses between Tannan and Yafu Asagi, to the thrilling Ugan-Bari dragon-boat regatta, to the final prayer toward the western sea. This article introduces the history, designation, highlights and travel information for visitors from abroad.

The Performing Arts of the Festivals of Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture were designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1985. At the twelve sacred utaki groves of Japan's westernmost inhabited island, communities perform stick dances, kumi odori dramas, lion dances, and the rare Tamahati ritual dance through the seasons. This article introduces their history, cultural significance, and how respectful visitors can experience them.

Okinawa’s registered properties across designations, with featured heritage and travel notes.

The complete kokuhō catalogue — browse by prefecture, period, and category.

Nationwide jūyō bunkazai — architecture, sculpture, painting, crafts, and documents.