London Okinawa Day is a yearly festival celebrating the unique music, food, and culture of Japan’s southernmost prefecture. Okinawa Prefecture encompasses an archipelago of islands in Southern Japan that formed part of the historic Ryukyu Kingdom and as such has its own distinct music and traditions. Okinawa Day 2023 will introduce the audience to music, dances, and food from several islands of the Ryukyu archipelago to highlight its incredibly rich cultural diversity.
Okinawa Day 2024 In The Blue Market
Organised by London Okinawa Sanshinkai, the event will take place on Saturday 22nd June 2024 from 11am to 5pm at The Blue Market, London SE16 3UQ. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
Food and Goods Stalls
Taking advantage of the venue’s historic use as a street market, Okinawan cuisine, food, and crafts will be on sale from a variety of stalls run by the London Okinawa Sanshinkai and other retailers.
Okinawa Day Running Order
- 11:00 Kajadifu
- 11:05 London Okinawa Sanshinkai “Kariyushi” set
- 11:40 Nomura School of Ryukyu Classical Music
- 12:05 Okinawa Tourism
- 12:15 Eisa Workshop
- 12:35 Amami Folk Music
- 13:00 Paris Sanshin Club “Yuyanaure” set
- 13:35 Okinawan Karate Gojyu Ryu /Meibukan
- 14:05 Eisa Traditional Dancing
- 14:30 Amami Folk Music
- 14:55 London Okinawa Sanshinkai / Paris Sanshin Club “Mo Ashibi” set
- 15:55 Yaeyama Music
- 16:30 Eisa Traditional Dancing Finale
Japanese food, drinks and arts
- Kimono De Go (Kimonos and accessories)
- Atariya Foods (Sushi)
- Ken.sho (Ecoprinted accessories)
- Dyce Kitchen (Japanese curry)
- Tensha (Japanese Tea
- Zen Musibi (rice balls)
- Sanshinkai Inari sushi (vegetarian) and pork rice.
- Mirai Sake (drinks)
- Drinks and snacks from Amay Islands of Kyushu
- Gu Choki Pan (Japanese bakery and cakes)
How to get there
- Buses: 1, 381, P12
- Underground: Bermondsey Train: South Bermondsey Overground: Canada Water
- Santander dock stations on Southwark Park Road and Clements Road
- Bicycles parking available.
About London Okinawa Sanshinkai
London Okinawa Sanshinkai was formed in 1999 at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) by academics specialising in Ryukyu Classical Music and Yaeyama Folk Songs studies. Since then, the group has been disseminating Okinawan music, dances and culture through a variety of activities and performances not only in the UK but also in other European countries. At the centre of these activities is our annual “Okinawa Day”event.A history of “Okinawa Day”in the UKThere have been many events in London over the years introducing traditional Okinawan music and dance to the UK. Notably, the Rinken Band’s performance in Hyde Park, Sonda Eisa’s performance at the Thames Festival, and recitals by Kise Shinjin(Master of the Nomura School of Ryukyu Classical Music).
In June 2009,London Okinawa Sanshinkai and Okinawa Kenjinkai (The UK Okinawan Association) organised an event called “Okinawa Matsuri” at Café Oto in North East London. The date was chosen in commemoration of Okinawa Memorial Day which is annually observed around 23 June.
Since 2010, the event has been held under its new name “Okinawa Day” with the aim of expressing gratitude to songs and music, referencing the concept of a Day of Song (Uta no hi) by the famous Okinawan band,BEGIN. Moving its location to Spitalfields in East London, the event grew on a bigger scale, attracting an audience of 8000 in June every year. Following a 2-year break due to the pandemic, “Okinawa Day” had a successful second start in September 2022 in a new location; The Blue Market in South London. The Blue Market, built with a unique architectural style focusing on sustainability and community, epitomised by its iconic central clock tower, is the perfect location to host Eisa drumming and dancing performances.
