This bullfighting tournament is organized by the Yaeyama Bullfighting Association. You can witness thrilling battles. It is also held during other times, such as the Obon festival.
This marathon attracts participants from all over Japan. There are three courses: full marathon, 24km, and 10km. The course, which circles about half of the island, allows participants to fully experience the island's nature, from the sea to the mountains.
The Chiba Lotte Marines' spring training camp, which began in 2008, is held in Ishigaki Island. Visitors can get a close look at the practice sessions of both the first and second team players.
This custom, also known as Hamashita, involves women entering the sea on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar to purify themselves and pray for good health.
The Yaeyama Sea Opening Festival is held at different venues across Ishigaki Island, the islands of Taketomi Town, and Yonaguni Island. Various events, such as treasure hunts in the sand, are held to mark the start of summer.
This is a triathlon competition consisting of a 1.5km swim, a 40km bike ride, and a 10km run. There are individual and group relay categories.
This festival, also known as the New Year's Day for fishermen, involves rowing races to pray for a bountiful catch and safe voyages. On Ishigaki Island, it takes place at three locations: Ishigaki Fishing Port, Shiraho Fishing Port, and Funakoshi Fishing Port.
This event, hosted by Orion Beer, allows attendees to enjoy live music and other entertainment outdoors while drinking beer. It attracts a large number of local residents.
Around Ishigaki Port, various sea-themed events will be held, including yacht rides, a petting zoo, and live music performances on board.
Events focused on stargazing. These include light-down stargazing events, stargazing weddings, and evening concerts.
This annual event expresses gratitude for the past year's bountiful harvest and prays for a good harvest in the coming year. It features various elements that differ from region to region, such as flag bearers, votive dances, stick fighting, lion dances, and tug-of-war.
Lively Obon celebrations are held in various regions, featuring Angama, lion dances, and Eisa dances. Angama is a unique Yaeyama custom in which Ushumai and Nmii, wearing masks, bring their children and grandchildren to the homes they are invited to and perform dances and engage in humorous question-and-answer sessions.
On the day following the traditional Obon festival, lion dances and other performances are held in various places to ward off evil spirits and pray for good health.
The Nosoko Tsundara Festival, which includes events such as singing the "Tsindara-bushi" song; the Hoshino Summer Festival, a mermaid village in Hoshino, which has a legend of mermaids; and the Akashi Eisa Festival, held in Akashi on the middle day of the Obon festival, are said to be the three major festivals in the northern region.
This is a singing competition featuring "Tubaraama," a representative lyrical song of the Yaeyama Islands. Only those who have won through tough preliminary rounds are eligible to participate.
This event marks the culmination of the year's rituals and is a time to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year. Processions led by the god Milk and devotional performances are held in various locations.
This is the island's largest festival, held over two days. It's a grand event with many activities, including a large parade of citizens, live music performances, and fireworks displays.
The pottery festival is held for two days every December. Potters from Ishigaki Island and workshops from the remote islands of the Yaeyama Islands gather together, and it attracts many visitors every year.