Family-friendly festival Okinawa Day at Bermondsey market

Two different parts of the world brought together by their love of music and food.

Okinawa Day is an annual family-friendly festival taking place on June 22 in The Blue Market in Bermondsey.

The event celebrates the music and food of Okinawan culture in the UK. Okinawa is Japan’s Southernmost Prefecture that formed part of the historic Ryukyu Kingdom and therefore has its own distinct music and traditions.

Okinawa Day will introduce its audience to music, dances, and food to highlight its rich cultural diversity.

A variety of performances showcasing Okinawan culture will feature throughout the day. 

From elegant Ryukyu Classical Music and energetic sanshin performances of Okinawan Folk Songs to traditional Eisa dance performances. 

There will be the chance to try Eisa dance through a workshop taught by the Sonda Youth Association along with demonstrations of Ryukyu Karate, a martial art originating from Okinawa.

In addition, guest performers from the Japanese islands of Yaeyama and Amami will be visiting the UK to showcase their unique island folk songs and dances. 

Visitors can also expect to see guest performers from Switzerland and France thanks to our long-standing friendship with the Paris Sanshin Club.

There will also be performances of sanshin, a three-stringed lute, traditionally made from snake skin, taiko drumming, eisa dancing, and karate demonstrations.

Taking advantage of the Blue Market’s historic use as a street market, Okinawan cuisine, and crafts will be on sale from stalls run by the London Okinawa Sanshinkai and other retailers.

Head down to The Blue Market in Bermondsey for Okinawa Day on June 22.

Pictured top: Okinawa Day 2022 (Picture: London Okinawa Sanshinkai)