On Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, the opening of the sea took place as early as the 16th, with local children and tourists enjoying their first swim.
Many citizens and tourists gathered at the artificial beach on Ishigaki Island where the opening ceremony was held.
After praying for safety toward the sea, students from Yaeyama Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry High School's local performing arts club performed Okinawan traditional performing arts and Ryukyu dance.
The elementary school students then enthusiastically declared, ``Let's spend the upcoming summer safely and happily,'' and entered the sea all at once.
The sky was blue on Ishigaki Island from the morning of the 16th, and the maximum temperature was expected to be 26 degrees, a summer day.Children and tourists were having fun by splashing water on each other.
Local people said things like, ``It's fun and feels good,'' and ``It's getting warmer now, so I want to keep swimming in the sea.''
A 5th grade elementary school boy who visited with his family from Fukuoka City said, ``The water is cold, but it's a lot of fun.''
In Okinawa Prefecture, sea openings are held in various places until late April.