Ishigaki Island’s Four-Village Pūrii (Harvest Festival)

Festival highlights

Highlights include processions led by flagheads representing each village, as well as offerings such as kane-ko ensembles, makiodori, shishimai, and kumibō.

On the second day, a mock ceremony distributing seeds of the five grains is held, along with Ahya-tsuna, in which women join together the male and female ropes.

At dusk, an east-versus-west tug-of-war begins by torchlight, bringing together the festival’s rituals, performances, and competition.

Ishigaki Island’s harvest festival, where the prayers and performances of four villages ring out

What to expect

On the first day, Tonoshiro, Ōkawa, Ishigaki, and Arakawa each hold events at their own utaki. The program includes the entrance of flagheads and kane-ko ensembles, offering performances, and prayers.

On the second day, the villages gather at Maetsubā Utaki and offer flagheads, kane-ko ensembles, makiodori, and other performances.

This is followed by the distribution of seeds of the five grains, Ahya-tsuna, and an east-versus-west tug-of-war at dusk.

How to take part

Visitors are welcome to watch as this is a traditional local event.

Utaki are important places of worship for local people. Please do not enter restricted areas, and watch from a distance that does not obstruct processions or offerings.

Arrangements for public participation in the tug-of-war may vary from year to year, so please follow the instructions of staff on the day and local guidance.

Source: 【お知らせ】登野城地域豊年祭（オンプール）開催に伴う交通規制およびご観覧について | 石垣市観光交流協会

Location and access

Venue and address

In 2026, the Tonoshiro-area Onpūru starts and finishes at the Tonoshiro Community Center, making stops at Konamihon Utaki, Komeni Utaki, and Amakawa Utaki.

Across the festival as a whole, venues include the utaki of the four villages and, on the second day, Maetsubā Utaki.

Train and bus

Visitors to the Tonoshiro area are advised to use public transportation, such as local buses.

By car

Traffic restrictions will be in place around the utaki and along procession routes in the Tonoshiro area.

Please follow the instructions of local guides, police officers, and festival staff.

Parking

No dedicated parking is available.

Illegal or unauthorized parking on nearby roads or at commercial facilities is not permitted.

Address Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (Maetsubā Utaki)

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Dates and season

The festival is usually held over 2 days, beginning on an auspicious day in the sixth month of the lunar calendar.

On the first day, Onpūrii is held at each village’s utaki; on the second day, the four villages gather at Maetsubā Utaki for Murapūrii.

For 2026, the Tonoshiro-area Onpūru has been announced for July 28 (Tuesday), with the schedule indicating 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Please check the schedules for each area for the dates and times of all events across the four villages.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Utaki are sacred places of worship. Please do not enter restricted areas or sacred precincts.

Keep your distance so as not to obstruct processions or offering performances, and follow staff instructions when taking photographs.

It can get hot during daytime processions and viewing, so prepare for the heat with water, a parasol, a hat, and other measures.

Traffic restrictions will be in place, so be sure to follow local directions, too.

Nearby attractions

Temples and shrinesIshigaki City

尖閣神社

日本の沖縄県石垣市にある神社

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写真：Paipateroma / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Museums and art museumsIshigaki City

石垣市立八重山博物館

沖縄県石垣市にある博物館

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写真：User: (WT-shared) Shoestring at wts wikivoyage / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Parks and gardensIshigaki City · Taketomi Town

西表石垣国立公園

日本の沖縄県の西表島と石垣島を中心とする国立公園

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写真：Paipateroma / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Ishigaki Island’s Four-Village Pūrii (Harvest Festival)

Shikamura is an old name for the four towns of Tonoshiro, Ōkawa, Ishigaki, and Arakawa, which were located at the center of the former Ryukyu Kingdom’s administration of Yaeyama.

Maetsubā Utaki is the venue for the second day of the festival and is a place enshrining Maetsubā, a priestess who sided with the Shuri forces during the uprising of Oyake Akahachi.

In 1993, Ishigaki Island’s Four-Village Pūrii was selected as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property for which measures such as documentation should be undertaken.

Official information

Ishigaki City has published the 2026 harvest festival schedule under the title “Reiwa 8 Fiscal Year Harvest Festival Schedule.”

For the Tonoshiro-area Onpūru, the Ishigaki City Tourism and Exchange Association has published the procession order, traffic restrictions, and guidance for spectators.

The festival’s origins and events can be checked in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.

Source: 令和8年度 豊年祭の日程について／石垣市

Ishigaki Island’s Four-Village Pūrii (Harvest Festival) at a Glance

Ishigaki Island’s Four-Village Pūrii is a 2-day harvest festival in which the four villages offer prayers and performances at utaki, giving thanks for the harvest and praying for a good harvest the following year.

A variety of events rooted in the local community take place, including flagheads, makiodori, shishimai, kumibō, seed distribution, Ahya-tsuna, and a tug-of-war by torchlight.

Please show respect for sacred places and follow local rules and staff guidance while watching.