Naha Great Tug-of-War
那覇大綱挽FestivalOctoberNaha & Shuri
The Naha Great Tug-of-War pulls a 200 m rice-straw rope weighing 40 tonnes across Route 58 at the Kumoji crossing in central Naha. The 56th tug is planned for Sunday 11 October 2026, from 13:30 to 16:10.
The organisers trace the tug back to around 1450 and the tug-of-war of Naha's four towns in the Ryukyu Kingdom. After a long gap it came back in 1971 for Naha City's 50th anniversary, held on the anniversary of the 10 October air raid on Naha.
Two ropes meet in the middle. The west pulls the female rope (みーんな) and the east the male rope (をぅーんな), each 100 m long, and together they make one rope 200 m long and 1.56 m across. The organisers count about 15,000 people on the rope and 285,000 watching, and say Guinness World Records first recognised it in 1995 as the largest rope made of rice straw. Once the tug ends, people cut off a piece of the smaller hand ropes to take home for good luck.
In 2026 the hatagashira (旗頭) banner procession moves along Kokusai-dori from 10:25 to 12:55 before the tug starts on Route 58. Knives may not be brought in, and drinking and drone photography are banned at the tug. The organisers warn that pulling or watching can be risky for people with small children and for pregnant women.
Worth knowing
- Route 58 at Kumoji is the tug site, so plan rides in and out of central Naha around it that afternoon.
- Drink water and rest between pulls; the organisers warn about heatstroke.
FAQ
Quick answers about Naha Great Tug-of-Warよくある質問
When is the Naha Great Tug-of-War 2026?
The 56th Naha Great Tug-of-War is planned for Sunday 11 October 2026, with the tug from 13:30 to 16:10 at the Kumoji crossing on Route 58. The banner procession runs along Kokusai-dori from 10:25 to 12:55.
Can tourists join the Naha tug-of-war?
Yes. The organisers invite visitors to pull as well as watch, and about 15,000 people take the rope. They ask people with small children and pregnant women to take care in the crowd.
How big is the Naha tug-of-war rope?
The Naha tug-of-war rope is 200 m long, 1.56 m across and weighs 40 tonnes, according to the organisers. It is made of rice straw and was first recognised by Guinness World Records in 1995.
When is Naha Great Tug-of-War?
Naha Great Tug-of-War takes place a Sunday in October (11 October in 2026). The next published date is 2026-10-11.