Shurijo Castle New Year Celebration (Shinshu no Utage)

Ring in the New Year with Ryukyuan royalty. This three-day festival presents authentic royal customs, starting with Chougan (the King’s morning prayer ceremony for peace and harvest). Visitors are served traditional festive tea (amacha) and enjoy classical Ryukyuan dances (Kumi Odori) performed on open-air stages.

Where does it come from?

-Reenactment of the King and officials offering New Year prayers to the heavens. -Distribution of festive herbal tea and royal court tea-tasting sessions. -Live classical Kumi Odori performances in full traditional brocade silk costumes.

Overseers of Okinawa’s royal castle grounds, producing seasonal royal court calendar events.