Opening ceremony was held in Okinawa Convention Center near Urasoe City last night. Among events held today was Parade along Kokusai Street (around 50 steps walking from our hotel). I only glanced through some of them since we were so tired of walking far away from where we normally got off the bus – Kokusai Street was closed to all vehicles to made way for the parade. After resting, went out to Daiei to buy dinner. Never went to see the parade.

The festival started from 8th October and will end on 19th October 97. Apart from the opening ceremony and the parade, there are many more events such as Naha Festival (1400-2100 on 9-11/10/97 at Onoyama Park), Okinawa Crafts Fair (1000-1900 on 10-12/10/97 at Okinawa Convention Center), Giant Tug-of-War (1440-2000 on 10/10/97 at Kumoji, Naha), Okinawa International Carnival (1400-2100 on 11/10/97 at Okinawa City), Eisa & Dance (1730-2030 on 11-17/10/97 at Palette Kumoji, Naha), Traditional Dance Show (2000-2130 on 14/10/97 at Prefectural Theatre), Okinawan Music (1900-2100 on 17/10/97 at Naha Civic Center), Kachashi Dance Festa (1600-2000 on 18/10/97 at Kokusai Street, Naha), and Finale (2000-2100 on 18/10/97 at Palette Kumoji, Naha).