"Haimurubushi," a resort on Kohama Island in Okinawa, launches "Yaeyama Journey," an experiential program that connects visitors with the island's history and culture

The first event in the series—a special program featuring a performance of the “Kitsugan-sai,” designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan—will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

Haimurubushi Co., Ltd. (a member of the Mitsui Fudosan Group; Head Office: Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Hiroyuki Sato; General Manager: Naohiro Yamaguchi), is launching “Yaeyama Journey,” an ongoing program at “Haimurubushi”—Japan’s southernmost island beach resort—designed to offer travelers an immersive experience of the culture and way of life passed down through generations on Kohama Island. As the first installment of this program, on Sunday, November 22, 2026, the resort will offer a cultural appreciation program featuring the “Kitsugan-sai” (Festival of Fulfilled Wishes)—a Shinto ritual marking the conclusion of the island’s annual prayers and designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan—on its main day (Shōnichi) and on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

■ Why “Yaeyama Journey” Now?

On Kohama Island, situated at the heart of the Yaeyama Islands, beyond the scenery of the beautiful sea and sugarcane fields, live on the prayers, performing arts, and wisdom for living in harmony with nature that generations of islanders have preserved and passed down. These are not things prepared for tourism, but the very essence of island life itself. We wanted to share each of these experiences with respect, as opportunities to connect with the authentic way of life that the island has preserved and passed down through the generations.

“Yaeyama Journey” is a program that continuously develops experiences unique to Kohama Island and Haimurubushi, presenting them as a series. Rather than a one-time event, we will continue to build upon the island’s stories with a second installment, a third, and beyond. As the first step in this journey, we have chosen the “Yuigan Festival,” the island’s largest Shinto ritual, during which the entire island community gathers to offer prayers and give thanks.

■ The Three Types of Experiences That Haimurubushi Values

・Escape from the Ordinary — A time to step far away from everyday life and let your mind wander
・Unique to the area — Authentic culture and people you can only encounter on Kohama Island
・Living in Harmony with the Island — Approaching Time-Honored Traditions with Respect

A Cultural Experience: Enjoying the “Kitsugan-sai” (Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property)—the Shōnichi and Main Festival

In the 8th and 9th months of the lunar calendar (typically around October through November), the island of Kohama holds the “Gan-toki” ceremony to express gratitude to the gods as the culmination of the year’s prayers. During this event, the island’s largest religious ceremony, the “Kitsugan-sai,” is held to pray for a bountiful harvest of the five grains and good health and freedom from illness in the coming summer season (Kunatsuyu: a season that brings a bountiful harvest), the island’s largest Shinto ritual, the “Kitsugan Festival,” is held to pray for a bountiful harvest of the five grains and good health. Designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Heisei 19 (2007) under the name “Performing Arts of Kohama Island’s Bon Festival, Kitsugan Festival, and Seed-Harvesting Festival,” this event is the culmination of the island’s prayers and traditional performing arts.

Kohama Island still preserves its traditional social structure (a dual-village system) divided into the “North Village” and “South Village,” and the two villages compete in performing arts and offer them to the deity at Kafuniwan, the center of their faith. The North Settlement worships “Miroku,” a deity depicted with a beaming face, while the South Settlement honors “Fukurokuju.” Accompanied by the sounds of the uta-sanshin and flute, a succession of performances unfolds, including celebratory dances, humorous comic skits, dynamic staff-fighting, and lion dances. These performances use neither sheet music nor video; they have been carefully passed down through generations solely by “oral tradition” from elders to the younger generation.

In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular traditional performing arts dedicated before the shrine of Kabone Utaki during the Shōnichi and the main festival—the highlights of the festival. We offer a moving cultural experience—one that can only be found here—as you respectfully immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere of prayer and the moments of joy that fill the entire island with excitement.

■Event Overview

■Future Developments

Starting with the first installment, “Yugan Festival,” “Yaeyama Journey” will continue to offer a series of experiences unique to Kohama Island and Haimurubushi. For the upcoming second installment, we plan to feature “Nighttime Mudflat Exploration and Izari Fishing” with the local fishermen of Kubasaki. The island’s prayers, the rhythms of the sea, and the warmth of its people—please look forward to the next chapter in the ever-evolving “Yaeyama Journey.”