Karate Day 2026 in Okinawa
What it is, what is on this year, and how to see it. Checked 18 October 2026.
Every year on 25 October, Okinawa celebrates Karate Day (空手の日, karate no hi). In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, and a week of demonstrations, exhibitions and street events surrounds it. Karate was born here, so this is the best time of year to see it performed by the people who keep the traditions alive.
Why 25 October?
The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly resolved in March 2005 to make 25 October Karate Day. According to the prefecture, the date marks 25 October 1936, when the written form 空手 (“empty hand”) was formally adopted for the art.
What is on in 2026
Sunday 25 October, 11:00–12:00 — dedication demonstration
The year's inaugural dedication demonstration (奉納演武) is held at the Special Dojo of the Okinawa Karate Kaikan in Tomigusuku. It is performed by holders of the prefecture's designated intangible cultural property title for Okinawan karate and kobudo. The organisers say general admission is not possible because of the venue, but the demonstration is live-streamed on the official YouTube channel. In bad weather it may be cancelled or moved to the indoor dojo; the decision is posted on the organisers' website at 17:00 on 24 October or 08:00 on 25 October.
Saturday 7 November, 14:30–17:40 — Shuri Castle Park
A karate and kobudo demonstration marking the completion of the Shuri Castle main hall is held in the park's free-entry area. Part 1 (14:30–15:30, lawn in front of Shurimori-kan) is the 50th Shuri Castle Reconstruction Memorial Karate and Kobudo Demonstration, with a tile-breaking experience. Part 2 (16:00–17:40, Shimo-no-unan) is an Okinawa–France karate and cultural exchange, including children's karate, Ryukyu performing arts and a special demonstration by designated cultural-property holders. A free shuttle bus runs between the Yui Rail stations at Tedako-Uranishi and Shuri and the park about every 15 minutes. The event may change or be cancelled, so check the organisers' page first.
The Kokusai-dori mass demonstration
In recent years Naha's Kokusai-dori has been closed for a mass demonstration on the weekend around Karate Day: more than 2,000 practitioners took part on 27 October 2024 and about 3,100 on 26 October 2025. As of 18 October 2026, the organisers' site has not published a 2026 date or venue for it, so confirm before you plan around it. Public applications for the commemorative demonstration opened on 30 July 2026.
Tips for watching
- Follow the organisers' site (karate-event.jp) for the latest times; schedules and weather decisions change late.
- Outdoor events are formal in spirit even when crowded. Stay quiet during demonstrations and ask before photographing individuals.
- Naha is the easiest base: the Yui Rail monorail reaches Shuri and the Kokusai-dori area.
Train while you are here
Karate Day week is a good moment to try a class. See trial classes for visitors, karate dojo in Naha, English-friendly places and our beginner guide for phrases and etiquette.
Sources
- Okinawa Prefecture — Karate Day (空手の日)
- Karate Day official site — 2026 dedication demonstration
- Karate Day official site — Shuri Castle demonstration 2026
- Ryukyu Shimpo — about 3,100 karate practitioners on Kokusai-dori (2025)
Published 2026-10-18 · Updated 2026-10-18. Spot an error? Tell us.