OKINAWA Tradition 2026 | Okinawa Association of America (OAA) Presents “World Uchinanchu Day Mini Expo” at Toyota Meeting Hall of Torrance Cultural Art Center on Friday, October 30, 5-9PM
Posted on September 30, 2026, revised on October 13, 2026 by Cultural News
The Okinawa Association of America (OAA) presents World Uchinānchu Day Mini Expo at Toyota Meeting Hall of Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503, on Friday, October 30, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Free parking.
Bringing together stories, music, and traditions that highlight Okinawa’s rich cultures and resilient history!
General admission $25. GET TICKETS: https://oaamensore.org/wud
Celebrating stories, music, and traditions that highlight Okinawa’s rich cultures and resilient history, the mini expo takes place the evening before OAA’s much-anticipated concert featuring renowned Okinawan band BEGIN (October 31, 2:00 p.m., Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center).
“World Uchinānchu Day” was officially established in 2016 by the Okinawa Prefectural Government to honor the first generation Okinawan emigrants and to strengthen and connect the global communities that they built.
WORKSHOPS: Okinawa-style Bon Dance, Sanshin (traditional instrument), Uchinaaguchi (Okinawan language)
PERFORMANCES: Choichi Kai Los Angeles (traditional music), Elite Performance Martial Arts Studio (Isshin-ryū karate), Kansen Atae no Kai (traditional dance), Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles
BOOTHS: Traditional food samples (limited quantities), local creatives, past recipients of the Okinawan Emigrants’ Descendant and Asian Scholarship Program (“Kempi”)
PANELS: Past recipients of Okinawa Prefectural Government-sponsored study abroad programs
SPECIAL GUESTS: Representatives from the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) to present about the 8th Worldwide Uchinānchu Festival or “Taikai”, a global homecoming for Okinawans around the world to gather in their ancestral islands. Held every five years, the next Taikai will be on October 27 – 31, 2027.
MORE: Displays (visiting the islands), printed games for kids, raffle drawing
FOOD TRUCK: Shake Ramen will be on site offering their signature ramen and rice bowls (vegan option available)! Portions of each sale will be donated to OAA. Note: Food order not included with the purchase of mini expo ticket
The mini expo aims to set the tone for OAA’s year-long The Road to Taikai journey. This campaign of cultural activities, Taikai information sessions, fundraisers, and other special programs will culminate next year with the celebratory 8th Taikai!
Whether you’re Uchinānchu, Uchinānchu at heart, or anywhere in between, everyone is welcome! Come and learn about the Okinawa/Ryūkyū culture and experience the ichariba chōdē spirit (“once we meet, we’re siblings”).
WHAT IS “WORLD UCHINĀNCHU DAY”?
At the closing ceremony of the 6th Taikai in 2016, the late Okinawa Prefecture Governor Takeshi Onaga declared that October 30 would henceforth be “World Uchinānchu Day.”
Watch the Declaration Video: https://tinyurl.com/wud-declaration
The idea was proposed by Andres Higa and Tadashi Andres Ysa Urbina, third generation Okinawan descendants from Latin America, “to convey the hope that the global Uchinānchu network will continue to grow and be inherited by the coming generations” and “for Uchinānchu communities [around the world] to celebrate how far they’ve come and reflect on how much farther they can go.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary!
WHAT IS “THE ROAD TO TAIKAI”?
The Road to Taikai is more than a concert. It’s the beginning of our community’s collective march toward the Worldwide Uchinānchu Taikai — the global gathering of Okinawan diaspora held in the homeland.
Throughout 2026, the OAA will be hosting events, fundraisers, and cultural programming under this banner, building momentum, awareness, and community spirit every step of the way. Every ticket purchased, every event attended, and every story shared is another step down the road.
More information: https://oaamensore.org/roadtotaikai
The Okinawa Association of America, Inc. (OAA) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and perpetuating Okinawan culture in the greater Los Angeles area. Formed by first generation immigrants (issei) over a century ago, the OAA has grown into a multi-generational organization that hosts numerous events throughout the year including cultural presentations, performances, and senior-focused activities.
The OAA’s decades of service have garnered accolades including the 2025 Community Organization Recognition Award (Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California), 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year (nominated by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, 66th District) and 2019 Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award (Nisei Week Foundation). OAA leaders have also been recognized by the Okinawa Prefectural Government as Overseas Goodwill Ambassadors and Next Generation Representatives.
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