"Let's go see a night game tonight."
If someone invites you out in Okinawa, don't jump to conclusions.

In Okinawa's hot summer, when you hear "night game," it's neither baseball nor horse racing! ---That's right, it's "bullfighting."

A heated battle where two massive creatures, each weighing over 900kg, clash fiercely!
A nail-biting, intense battle where even a moment of carelessness is unacceptable!
The roaring cheers and never-ending applause continue to captivate the people of Okinawa with this thrilling battle!

This time, we'll introduce you to the surprisingly little-known charm of the bullfighting arena, "the hottest place in Okinawa," from viewing points to ticket purchases!

<Table of Contents>
1. Useful facts about Okinawan bullfighting that you can use starting today.
2. Head to "Uruma City Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome," Okinawa's number one bullfighting venue!
3. Viewing tips for enjoying bullfighting
4. Ticket & Facility Information
5. Bullfighting is the ultimate entertainment.

1. Useful facts about Okinawan bullfighting that you can use starting today.

Bullfighting in Okinawa is called "Ushi-orase" and has been a beloved form of entertainment on the island for centuries.
When you hear the word "bullfighting," many people probably imagine a bullfighter gracefully dodging a bull while holding a red cloth, but Okinawan bullfighting is a one-on-one battle between two bulls!

During a bullfight, one bullfighter, called a seko, is assigned to each bull.
The bullfighter's unique and interesting shout of "Yagui" to encourage the bull is another highlight. It's said that the timing of the bullfighter's "Yagui" can sometimes determine the outcome of the match.

Okinawan bullfighting is, of course, still incredibly popular!

Longtime fans cheer on the players, ranking lists in hand.
Young couples visit on dates.
A small child cheers at the sight of a large cow.

You can see scenes like that somewhere on the island almost every week.
What exactly is it about bullfighting that captivates people? Let's go to a bullring to uncover the secret!

2. Head to "Uruma City Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome," Okinawa's number one bullfighting venue!

I came here because one of the most exciting bullfighting tournaments in Okinawa Prefecture is taking place!
This is the Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome in Uruma City. It is the only dome-shaped bullfighting arena among the many bullfighting arenas in the prefecture.

We arrived at the bullfighting arena, greeted by a monument to "Yukari-go," the strongest bull in the history of Okinawan bullfighting.

The event taking place that day was the "All-Island Bullfighting Tournament," which is held twice a year, in spring (May) and autumn (November).
As this is one of the largest bullfighting tournaments in the prefecture, the venue was packed. The crowd was thrilled as the bulls engaged in fierce battles!

Matches begin with the lower-ranked players, and in every tournament, there are usually around 10 to 13 matches.
Inevitably, the final match is often a "champion vs. challenger" matchup, and as the tournament progresses, the excitement in the venue steadily increases.

Before you enjoy watching a bullfight, let's quickly go over the flow of the match!

The bulls enter the bullring one by one.
Apparently, when bulls sense that the time for their match is approaching, they get fired up and their eyes become fiery! The first bull enters the arena, breathing heavily, and awaits its opponent.

Now, once the second horse enters, the match will begin. No whistle will be blown!
The match begins the moment each person confirms their opponent's identity. It's intense.

The way to determine the winner is simple and straightforward.
As a general rule, the one who loses the will to fight and runs away loses. Additionally, if a move is successfully executed and the opponent becomes immobile, they also lose.

Because there's no set time limit for matches, sometimes the outcome is decided in seconds, while other times it can be a long, drawn-out battle... Apparently, there have even been grueling matches lasting over two hours!

You'll have to wait and see what kind of match it will be once it starts!
I would love to watch the opening match (the very first game).

3. Viewing tips for enjoying bullfighting

Bullfighting, with its massive bodies clashing violently, is incredibly thrilling and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but I'd like to share a few tips to help you enjoy it even more!

(1) Try to predict the winners and losers by looking at the ranking list.

In most cases, you can get a ranking list at the venue.
If you make predictions about the outcome of each match before watching, you're sure to cheer with even more enthusiasm!

Each cow is divided into red and white sections, and a red and white ribbon is tied to its tail, so it's easy to spot them even if you're seeing them for the first time.

(2) Watch the match while paying attention to the movements of the bull and the bullfighter.

Every cow has a different personality.
Even though they may look the same at first glance, each cow behaves and competes in a completely different way!

Some bulls try to end the fight in an instant, while others simply wait for their opponent's stamina to run out. Surprisingly, some bulls even surrender the moment they enter the bullring, realizing, "I can't beat this guy!"

Incidentally, each cow has a unique name depending on its coat color and the direction of its horns. Such trivia is an essential point for any Okinawa enthusiast.

It's also recommended to focus on the bullfighters (seko) mentioned earlier when watching the bullfight.
Bullfighting is much harder than it looks, so bullfighters take turns during a match. Several bullfighters take turns with a single bull.
A skilled bullfighter is said to be adept at identifying the crucial moment to make their move.

Listening to the bullfighters' "yagui" calls while watching is a sophisticated way to enjoy the experience.

(3) Try to get your hands on some limited edition merchandise

When a major tournament is held, the venue becomes like a mini-festival!
There will be food stalls selling light snacks, as well as merchandise supporting each of the cows and limited-edition goods for sale.

Recently, bullfighting has become so popular among young women that the term "bullfighting girls" has even been coined, so there were lots of cute goods available!
Why not get some limited-edition merchandise as a memento of your trip to Okinawa and experience bullfighting?

4. Ticket & Facility Information

The Uruma City Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome, which we covered in this article, allows you to watch bullfighting even in rainy weather, making it highly recommended for first-time bullfighting spectators!

Unless it's a major event like the All-Island Bullfighting Tournament, the parking lot (free) is rarely full, so arriving around the time the event starts should be fine.

[Ticket purchase method]
All bullfighting venues, including the Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome, will only offer same-day tickets with unreserved seating.
Various bullfighting tournaments, both large and small, are held at bullfighting arenas throughout the prefecture, mainly on Sundays (nighttime matches are held on Saturdays during the summer).
Admission fees vary depending on the tournament, but are generally around 2,000 to 3000 yen. (See below for details.)

[Access by car]
From Naha Airport, take the Okinawa Expressway to Ishikawa Interchange.
It's immediately after turning right onto Prefectural Road 73 towards Nakadomari. Estimated travel time: approximately 50 minutes.

[Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome Details]
■Address: 2298-1 Ishikawa, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture
■Parking: Free
■HP:http://www.city.uruma.lg.jp/culture/1249/1382
(Please refer to the above website for tournament schedule and ticket information.)

5. Bullfighting is the ultimate entertainment.

©OCVB

"Once upon a time, I neglected my work to become engrossed in bullfighting, and was reprimanded by the authorities."
With such a rich history, bullfighting is a familiar and exciting form of entertainment for the people of Okinawa!

Is it just cows?
No, no. If you go to the bullfighting arena, you'll understand why it's so beloved on the island.
This is a truly captivating place that continues to fascinate the people of Okinawa. Be sure to visit it at least once!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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