A traditional Shioya Bay event welcoming the sea gods and praying for a good harvest with boats and taiko
Shioya Bay Ungami
The 2026 edition of Shioya Bay Ungami has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/29Ended
- Season / frequency
- 3 days in mid-August, centered on the Day of the Boar after / Held in alternating years: Ungan year and dance year
- Location
- Tamina, Yako, Shioya, and Shirahama districts, Ogimi Village
- Area
- Okinawa Prefecture・Ogimi Village(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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/24
Shioya Bay Ungami is a traditional event in northern Okinawa Island, welcoming the gods from Nirai Kanai as ama divers wade into the sea and beat while people pray for blessings and abundant crops. It takes place across the districts of Tamina, Yako, and Shirahama, centered on Shioya.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kugel~commonswiki File:Dragon boat race held during Ungami of Shioya Bay 202509 06.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kugel~commonswiki File:Dragon boat race held during Ungami of Shioya Bay 202509 03.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kugel~commonswiki File:Sumo wrestling area constructing for Ungami of Shioya Bay 202509.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Shioya Bay Ungami
Shioya Bay Ungami is a traditional event held in communities in northern Okinawa Island.
The gods are welcomed from Nirai Kanai, and ama divers wade into the sea and beat taiko as people pray for blessings and abundant crops.
Shioya Ungami is said to have a tradition spanning 400–500 years and is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Source: 祭・イベント詳細： 塩屋湾のウンガミ｜（一財）都市農山漁村交流活性化機構（まちむら交流きこう） / 8月29日（土） 塩屋湾のウンガミ（海神祭）行われる｜南の島の北の方通信｜大宜味村観光協会
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the Ungan Bari.
Men from the 3 districts of Tamina, Yako, and Shioya row powerfully toward Shioya, while the taiko and calls of the women welcoming them ring out from shore.
You can see a scene unique to Shioya Bay, where the boats at sea and the welcome on shore come together.
A traditional Shioya Bay event welcoming the sea gods and praying for a good harvest with boats and taiko
What to expect
According to the 2026 event information, the proceedings were scheduled to begin in Tamina at 11 a.m., with the Hari boat race set to start at 2 p.m.
In the Ungan Bari, men from the 3 districts of Tamina, Yako, and Shioya row boats toward Shioya, while women on the shore welcome them with taiko and calls.
The program differs between Ungan years and dance years.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tamina, Yako, Shioya, and Shirahama districts, Ogimi Village
- By car
From Kyoda IC on the Okinawa Expressway, head north on National Route 58; about 30 minutes by car from Nago
Address Tamina, Yako, Shioya, and Shirahama districts, Ogimi Village, Kunigami County, Okinawa Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
The event was announced as scheduled for August 29, 2026 (Sat), beginning in Tamina at 11 a.m., with the Hari boat race scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
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 / Ogimi Village (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Origins and History of Shioya Bay Ungami
Shioya Ungami is a harvest-prayer event said to have a tradition spanning 400–500 years.
A custom of welcoming the gods from Nirai Kanai and praying for blessings and abundant crops has been passed down through generations.
The event alternates between Ungan years and dance years, and its program varies from year to year.
It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1997.
Source: 大宜味ユーティリティーセンター｜体験する 宿泊する 記憶する
Official information
The Ogimi Village Tourism Association has posted information about the 2026 event.
An overview of the event, its usual time of year, and access information are also available in the festival and event listings of the Urban-Rural Exchange Promotion Organization.
Shioya Bay Ungami at a Glance
Shioya Bay Ungami is a traditional event in Ogimi Village, welcoming the gods from Nirai Kanai and praying for a good harvest and abundant crops.
In the Ungan Bari, men from the 3 districts of Tamina, Yako, and Shioya row boats, while women on the shore welcome them with taiko and calls.
It is said to have a tradition spanning 400–500 years and is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/24
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