Let’s go to the bullfights!
There are over 40 bullfighting tournaments throughout the year, held almost every Sunday at one of 10 bullrings on the island. The most important among them all are the all-island bullfighting tournaments held in spring (second Sunday in May) and fall (second Sunday in November), which usually attract a crowd of approximately 4,500. Tournaments are normally scheduled for Sundays, with general admission set at 3,000 yen. Visitors from overseas are offered a special price of 2,000 yen. Only cash in yen is accepted for purchasing tickets at local bullfighting events.
The bulls come from various parts of Japan and number about 600 in total. They debut at the age of 3 or 4 years and reach their bullfighting prime when they are 6 to 8 years old. Most of them retire around the age of 10. Bulls fighting in Okinawa weigh approximately one ton and are huge compared to bulls used for bullfighting in Spain, which average 500 kilos or less.
All-island Summer Bullfighting Tournament
Date: Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018
Time: 13:00
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: 3,000 yen for men, 2,000 yen for women and foreign guests, 1,000 yen for ages 13-18 (junior and high school students)
13th Uruma Festival Bullfighting Tournament
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018
Time: 13:00
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: Free
All-island Fall Bullfighting Tournament
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Time: 12:00-
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: 3,000 yen for men, 2,000 yen for women and foreign guests, 1,000 yen for ages 13-18 (junior and high school students)
South Area New Year's Bullfighting Tournament
Date: Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019
Time: 13:00
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: 3,000 yen for men, 2,000 yen for women and foreign guests, 1,000 yen for ages 13-18 (junior and high school students)
Chinese New Year’s All-island Bullfighting Tournament
Date: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019
Time: 13:00
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: 3,000 yen for men, 2,000 yen for women and foreign guests, 1,000 yen for ages 13-18 (junior and high school students)
Iha Bullfighting Tournament
Date: Sunday, March 3, 2019
Time: 13:00
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: 2,500 yen for men, 2,000 yen for women, 2,000 yen for foreign guests, 1,000 yen for ages 13-18 (junior and high school students)
4th Yayoi Bullfighting Derby
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2019
Time: 13:00
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: 3,000 yen for men, 2,000 yen for women and foreign guests, 1,000 yen for ages 13-18 (junior and high school students)
Gushikawa Bullfighting Tournament
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2019
Time: 13:00
Place: Ishikawa Dome
Admission: 3,000 yen for men, 2,500 yen for women and foreign guests, 1,000 yen for junior and high school students (ages 12-18).
Motobu Bullfighting Tournament
Date: T.B.A.
Time: 13:00
Place: Motobu Town Multipurpose Event Space
Admission: 2,500 yen for men, 2,000 yen for women, 2,000 yen for foreign guests, 1,000 yen for ages 13-18 (junior and high school students)
