OkinawaLeisure

Sonai Village (祖納集落)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: Take a break at a quiet beach near Sonai village

About 10 min from the previous stop

About 50 min here

About 5 min to the next stop

Next stop: The island's most important ritual of the year, giving thanks for the five grains and praying for next year's bountiful harvest

About this spot

Located in the northwestern part of Iriomote Island, this village has long prospered as the center of the island's western area. Sonai is said to be the oldest village on the island, with a history spanning more than 500 years; it even appears under the name 'Sono' in Korean Peninsula records from 1479. On a hilltop stands the Shinmori family residence, a cultural property designated by Okinawa Prefecture, and the Shichi Festival, passed down together with the neighboring village of Hoshidate, is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. In the evening before the Harvest Festival, the whole village begins bustling with preparations. Enjoy an early dinner while your anticipation builds for the rituals about to begin.

Tips

It's just a short walk from Sonai Beach to the village. Roads can get crowded on the day of the Harvest Festival, so it's a good idea to secure parking early. Since the village is also a place where people live, please tour quietly.