Ikebaru’s Jūgoya, with lion dances purifying the village and mortar drums resounding
Ikebaru Jūgoya Event
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- day 15 of lunar month 8
- Location
- Kamiya, Kami Asagi, Īnu Ashibinā
- Area
- Okinawa Prefecture・Okinawa City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
A village ritual passed down in Ikehara, Okinawa City, held on day 15 of lunar month 8. A village-purification ritual performed by a lion, mortar drums, and offering dances make up the event.
About Ikebaru Jūgoya Event
Ikebaru’s Jūgoya event is a village ritual held on day 15 of lunar month 8.
Prayers are offered at 3 places—Kamiya, Kami Asagi, and Īnu Ashibinā—in the afternoon on the day of the event.
A village-purification ritual performed by a lion, mortar drums, and offering dances come together in this event, which is recognized as a traditional Okinawan ritual practice passed down in Ikebaru.
Festival highlights
Distinctive features include the village-purification ritual performed by a lion and the mortar drums, which are regarded as a cheerful dance.
Offering dances are added to the program, bringing together several performing arts and prayers in a single Jūgoya event.
The prayers being offered at 3 places—Kamiya, Kami Asagi, and Īnu Ashibinā—is another feature unique to Ikebaru’s event.
Ikebaru’s Jūgoya, with purifying the village and mortar drums resounding
What to expect
The event is held on the day of day 15 of lunar month 8, and prayers are offered in the afternoon.
Prayers take place at 3 locations: Kamiya, Kami Asagi, and Īnu Ashibinā.
The program combines a village-purification ritual performed by a lion, mortar drums regarded as a cheerful dance, and offering dances.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Ikehara, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture (Kamiya, Kami Asagi, Īnu Ashibinā)
Address Ikehara, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
day 15 of lunar month 8
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Okinawa Prefecture / Okinawa City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
東南植物楽園
沖縄県沖縄市にある植物園
Origins and History of Ikebaru Jūgoya Event
Ikebaru’s Jūgoya event is introduced as one of Okinawa’s traditional ritual practices.
The event combines a village-purification ritual performed by a lion, mortar drums, and offering dances, and has been passed down in the Ikebaru area.
It is designated an Okinawa City Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is considered a valuable folk cultural property for learning about Okinawa’s traditional ritual practices.
Official information
Bunka Isan Online introduces the Ikebaru Jūgoya event as an intangible folk cultural property of Ikebaru, Okinawa City, designated by Okinawa City.
Ikebaru Jūgoya Event at a Glance
Ikebaru’s Jūgoya event is a village ritual held on day 15 of lunar month 8.
Prayers are offered at 3 places: Kamiya, Kami Asagi, and Īnu Ashibinā. The event brings together a village-purification ritual performed by a lion, mortar drums, and offering dances.
It is designated an Okinawa City Intangible Folk Cultural Property and preserves Okinawa’s traditional ritual practices.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
