Summer at the birthplace of dragon boat racing, filled with the sound of drums and shouted calls
Tomigusuku Haarii
The 2026 edition of Tomigusuku Haarii has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/19 〜 2026/07/20Ended
- Season / frequency
- Jul
- Location
- The waterway and green space between Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach and iias Okinawa Toyosaki
- Area
- Okinawa Prefecture・Tomigusuku 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Tomigusuku Haarii, which originated from dragon boat racing brought from China, is an event that keeps the history and connection to the sea of Tomigusuku alive today. The dragon boats make their way along the waterway as competitors paddle to the beat of drums and shouted calls.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: ハーリー応援団 File:Tomishiro ha-ri.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Tomigusuku Haarii
Tomigusuku Haarii is a dragon boat racing event held in Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture.
Tomigusuku is considered the birthplace of haarii in Okinawa. The tradition is said to have originated about 600 years ago, when the lord of Tomigusuku Castle brought dragon boat racing from China.
The current event is held around Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach and offers a sense of the region’s history and connection to the sea.
The event has been passed down as a tradition held to pray for abundant harvests, peace and well-being for the people, and friendship among all peoples.
Source: 豊見城市観光情報／豊見城市役所 公式ホームページ / 豊見城市観光協会について｜一般社団法人 豊見城市観光協会
Festival highlights
The highlight is the race, as competitors aboard dragon boats paddle in unison to the beat of drums and shouted calls.
At the 2026 event, the children’s determined paddling to the beat of the drums and the competitors’ powerful strokes brought the venue to life.
Enjoy both the races along the waterway and the cheers from the shore.
Source: 令和8年7月（市長フォトリポート）／豊見城市役所 公式ホームページ
Summer at the birthplace of dragon boat racing, filled with the sound of drums and shouted calls
What to expect
In the competition, participants aboard dragon boats paddle in response to the drums and shouted calls, propelling their boats forward as they race.
In 2026, the student and open divisions were held separately, with the student division on July 19 and the open division on July 20.
Spectators cheer on the competitors, and the competitors and audience together make the event come alive on the seaside waterway.
Source: 一般社団法人 豊見城市観光協会 / 沖縄のイベント | 沖縄観光情報WEBサイト おきなわ物語
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The waterway and green space between Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach and iias Okinawa Toyosaki.
Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach is located at 5-1 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City.
- By car
Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach is about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport.
- Parking
Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach has a paid parking lot with space for 800 vehicles.
The gates close at 10 p.m.
Event venue 沖縄県豊見城市 豊崎美らSUNビーチとイーアス沖縄豊崎の間の水路及び緑地帯
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the 19th Tomigusuku Haarii Festival was held on July 19 (Sunday) and Monday the 20th (public holiday).
The student division was scheduled for the 19th and the open division for the 20th. The venue is the waterway and green space between Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach and iias Okinawa Toyosaki.
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 / Tomigusuku City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach and Toyosaki Seaside Park are near the venue.
Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach is an artificial beach about 700 meters long, and Toyosaki Seaside Park has a lawn and walking paths.
The city’s tourism information also features iias Okinawa Toyosaki, Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa, and Roadside Station Toyosaki, among other places in the same Toyosaki district.
海軍司令部壕
沖縄戦において海軍の司令部として使用された防空壕
Origins and History of Tomigusuku Haarii
Tomigusuku Haarii is said to have originated about 600 years ago, when Eozo, the lord of Tomigusuku Castle, brought back the dragon boat racing he had seen while studying in China.
People from around Naha built dragon boats and raced them on Manko on day 4 of lunar month 5; this is said to be how haarii began.
Tomigusuku Nobui came to an end after the abolition of the feudal domains, but was revived in 2003 as the “Haarii Origin Festival,” for the first time in 125 years.
The current Tomigusuku Haarii Festival has been held at Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach since 2008.
Official information
Information about Tomigusuku Haarii is available from the official sources of the Tomigusuku City Tourism Association and Tomigusuku City Hall.
The Tomigusuku City Tourism Association provides the dates and divisions for the 19th event, while Tomigusuku City Hall offers an overview of the 2026 event.
These official sources are useful for checking results and the latest announcements.
Tomigusuku Haarii at a Glance
Tomigusuku Haarii is a traditional event associated with Tomigusuku City, originating from dragon boat racing brought from China about 600 years ago.
In 2026, the student and open divisions were held over 2 days between Toyosaki Chura SUN Beach and iias Okinawa Toyosaki.
Highlights include powerful paddling to the beat of drums and shouted calls, and cheers echoing along the shore.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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