From Okinawa, the Birthplace of Karate, to the World: One Month Until the 3rd Okinawa Karate World Tournament

To All Media Representatives,

The 3rd Okinawa Karate World Tournament (OKINAWA KARATE WORLD FESTIVAL) will be held from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Okinawa Convention Center (Ginowan City). With approximately one month remaining until the event, the tournament is structured around three main pillars: a competition for children and youth, a demonstration event for adults, and an Okinawa Karate Seminar. Karate enthusiasts from around the world will gather in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate. Furthermore, the week including the tournament period (July 28 to August 3) has been designated as "Okinawa Karate Week," featuring free admission to the Okinawa Karate Kaikan and hands-on events. This is a major summer event that can be enjoyed not only by karate enthusiasts but also by families and tourists. We look forward to the participation of many prefectural residents.

Tournament Overview

Tournament Name

3rd Okinawa Karate World Tournament OKINAWA KARATE WORLD FESTIVAL ~ DEMONSTRATION and TOURNAMENT ~

Dates

July 30 (Thu) - August 2 (Sun), Reiwa 8 (2026) *4 days

Main Venue

Okinawa Convention Center (4-3-1 Mashiki, Ginowan City, Okinawa)

Admission

Free admission (open to everyone)

Organizers

Okinawa Karate World Tournament Executive Committee / Okinawa Prefecture / Okinawa Traditional Karate-do Federation

Official Website

https://okinawa-karate.okinawa/

Overall Schedule ── Climax on Sunday, August 2

▲ Overall Schedule (Source: Official Website https://okinawa-karate.okinawa/)

Date

Main Content

July 29 (Wed)

Competition (Main Rounds): Athlete Registration (10:00-18:00)

July 30 (Thu)

Opening Ceremony / Competition: Shuri-te and Tomarite styles (up to quarterfinals)

July 31 (Fri)

Competition: Naha-te style and Uechi-ryu style (up to quarterfinals)

August 1 (Sat)

Competition: Kobudo (Bo) (up to quarterfinals) / Okinawa Karate Seminar (15:00-19:30)

August 2 (Sun)

Competition: All divisions Semifinals and Finals / Demonstration Tournament (13:00-15:30) / Awards Ceremony and Closing Ceremony / Reception

★ Recommended Day for Media Coverage: Sunday, August 2, is the highlight of the tournament, concentrating the semifinals and finals of the competition, the general demonstration tournament, and the awards and closing ceremonies. You can cover a variety of visually appealing scenes and moments of joy.

Three Pillars of the Program and Highlights

Competition (Children and Youth)

Demonstration Tournament (Adults)

Okinawa Karate Seminar

Children aged 6-14 compete in "kata." Four divisions: Shuri-te, Tomarite, Naha-te, Uechi-ryu, and Kobudo (Bo).

Aug 2 (Sun) 13:00-15:30. Karate and Kobudo performances by karate enthusiasts from Okinawa, other prefectures, and overseas, transcending different styles.

Aug 1 (Sat) 15:00-19:30. A unique opportunity to receive direct instruction from masters of various styles.

Seminar Instructors Include 18 Masters ── 12 of Whom are Designated Living National Treasures of Intangible Cultural Properties by Okinawa Prefecture

▲ Okinawa Karate Seminar Instructors (18 total).

Okinawa Karate Week (July 28 - August 3)

A week featuring experiences and learning opportunities for families, centered around the World Tournament, along with culinary events. Enjoyable for everyone, including related events at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan (free admission) and Shurijo Castle Park.

Featured Experiences and Activities

Free admission to Okinawa Karate Kaikan (including free viewing of the reference room)

Giant Gachapon & Uchiwa Stamp Rally (touring 3 venues)

Free Karate Experience Classes & Tile Breaking Experience (children welcome)

Demonstration Viewing

Haisai Ennichi (Festival) & Okinawa Traditional Crafts Making Experience

Okinawan Gourmet Food, including food trucks and Awamori corner

Experience programs such as tours of historical sites

JICA "For the Smiles of the World" Program: Karate Gi Donation Drive! / Shurijo Castle Reconstruction Memorial Panel Exhibition

▲ Promotional Visual for the Tournament & Okinawa Karate Week

Three Venues ── The World of Okinawa Karate Spreads Through the City

1 Okinawa Convention Center

2 Okinawa Karate Kaikan

3 Shurijo Castle Park

July 30 - Aug 2: Main tournament venue, food trucks, "Okinawa Karate Week" corner, tile breaking.

July 28 - Aug 3: Free admission during the period, experience classes, festival, giant gachapon.

July 28 - Aug 3: Shurijo Castle Reconstruction Memorial Panel Exhibition. Learn about the history of Shurijo Castle, which will be revived this autumn!

Pre-Tournament Event "Okinawa Karate Festival" (July 5, Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom)

Prior to the main tournament, a pre-event "Okinawa Karate Festival" will be held on Sunday, July 5, at Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom. This is a free PR event that families can enjoy while shopping.

Date and Time

Sunday, July 5, 2026 Stage: 12:45-17:00 / Booths: 10:00-18:00

Venue

Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom 1F Grand Square (1 Rycom, Kitanakagusuku Village, Nakagami District)

Admission

Free (open to everyone) Estimated Attendance: Approx. 3,000 people per day

Main Content

Greetings from the Chairman of the Tournament Executive Committee (Governor) / Karate demonstrations by dojos / Karate experience session (how to tie a belt, basic kata) & tile breaking experience / Introduction and interaction with official character "Ryukutaro" (MC: Yosshaa Kinjo) / Photo booth, message board, original badge making experience, dojo introductions, merchandise sales / Promotion of the World Tournament and "Okinawa Karate Week"

Official Free Shuttle Bus (Route Map)

Starting from in front of the Okinawa Prefectural Government Building (in front of the Prefectural Citizens' Plaza), it connects the main tournament venue and the main venues for "Okinawa Karate Week." Free for everyone. You can travel between venues without a car.

Route 1 Main Tournament Venue Route (July 29, 30, 31, Aug 1, 2)

In front of the Prefectural Government Building (Prefectural Citizens' Plaza)

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Okinawa Convention Center (Main Tournament Venue)

Direct service between Prefectural Citizens' Plaza and Okinawa Convention Center.

Route 2 "Okinawa Karate Week" Circulation Route (Daily from July 28 to August 3)

In front of the Prefectural Government Building

→

Okinawa Karate Kaikan (Tomigusuku City)

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Shurijo Castle Park (Naha City)

→

Okinawa Convention Center (Ginowan City)

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In front of the Prefectural Government Building

Circulates among venues. Operates from morning to night. Convenient for touring venues for the stamp rally.

Estimated Participation in the Main Tournament ── Larger Scale Than the Previous Event

The estimated number of participants in this tournament is expected to exceed the previous event, with a total of 2,900 karate enthusiasts participating from 39 countries and regions.

39 Countries and Regions (Estimated)

2,900 Total Estimated Participants (People)

(For reference) Previous Event: 2nd Okinawa Karate Children's World Tournament (2024) = 26 countries/regions / 1,845 total participants.

Highlights for Media Coverage

An international event where karate enthusiasts from around the world gather in the "birthplace of karate."

Serious matches by children and youth, and spectacular demonstrations by masters.

Opportunity to cover the skills and spirit of prefecturally designated intangible cultural property holders up close.

A lively atmosphere enjoyable for families, with free admission, experiences, and festivals.

An event involving a giant gachapon and stamp rally to tour three venues.

Social stories including Shurijo Castle reconstruction and JICA international exchange.

Contact Information

Media Inquiries / Public Relations

Okinawa Karate World Tournament Executive Committee Secretariat (Within Okinawa Prefectural Government, Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Karate Promotion Division) 1-2-2 Izumizaki, Naha City, 900-8570 / TEL 098-866-2232 / FAX 098-866-2208 /

E-mail aa082500@pref.okinawa.lg.jp (Weekdays 8:30-17:15, excluding 12:00-13:00)

Tournament / Participation

Okinawa Karate World Tournament Operations Support Team

Participation Applications: TEL 090-8938-8343 (Within JTB Okinawa Corp., Sales Department)

Other Inquiries: TEL 080-6390-9294 (HOT Okinawa Research Institute Co., Ltd.)

(Weekdays 9:30-17:00)

Please cover the global excitement in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate.

3rd Okinawa Karate World Tournament 2026.7.30 - 8.2

Okinawa Karate Week 2026.7.28 - 8.3