Our festival

What's ISLA?

This festival started the same year NPO Tiempo Iberoamericano was established in 1997. As a major musical event on the local calendar, it is not exclusively focused on being a salsa event, but instead extends the original meaning of the word salsa, or sauce. In this case, it is a rich sauce, that through a mutual blending of understanding rises above the diverse cultures and characteristics or ‘flavors’ of its individual elements, creating the possibility of a new whole when brought together. This is the cross-cultural concept of this festival. In today's world of rapid digitalization, it is a goal of Isla de Salsa to create an experience where people can feel the warmth of one another. In a general sense however, it is the insistence on the basic human and personal level of interaction that enables Tiempo to create a friendly environment for cultural exchange that extends beyond the common divisions of race, gender, age and nationality.

Over the past 25 years, many renowned international and local budding artists have participated in this festival, joined by people from near and far. The festival attracted 4,700 people in 2009. The center has brought wonderful artists to perform not only in Kyushu and in other parts of Japan, but also overseas on extended tours through our network. It has managed, for instance, the tour of Los Van Van at the Sydney Opera House and produced the Asian Pacific Tour of El Gran Combo for their 50th anniversary tour. This kind of cultural exchange, regardless of differ- ences in languages, nationalities and cultures, reflects the heart of Tiempo Iberamericano. At the 2009 Isla de Salsa, we were honored to welcome multi-grammy winner Juan Luis Guerra as his debut in Asia.

Dance and enjoy 7 hours
non-stop performances on 2 stages!

Beach, mojito, great food and best music!

Do you remember?

ISLA Highlight

For 25 years, we have enjoyed "salsa" made from many cross-cultural exchanges.

Juan Luis Guerra

ISLA DE SALSA 2009
The only king of Bachata Juan Luis Guerra made his debut in Asia.

Bachata en Fukuoka

JUAN LUIS GUERRA
"Bachata en Fukuoka", which Juan Luis Guerra composed describing the memories of Fukuoka, won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song.

Sukiyaki Song by CALLE REAL

ISLA DE SALSA 2011
CALLE REAL dedicated the world-renowned Japanese song "Sukiyaki Song" together with singer-songwriter Isamu Shimoji to the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. This act of solidarity was one of the most exciting moments in the history of ISLA.

Los Van Van

ISLA DE SALSA 2011
In 2010, "¡Vívela Japón! Salsa Tour" expanded to Asia Pacific, bringing the legendary Cuban salsa orchestra "Los Van Van" to three Australian cities, including the Sydney Opera House.

EL GRAN COMBO

ISLA DE SALSA 2012
Isla de Salsa was one of the historical stages of the world tour of 50 concerts around the world commemorating the 50th anniversary of the legendary classical salsa orchestra "El Grand Combo".

Aleida Guevara

ISLA DE SALSA 2011
Aleida Guevara (Che Guevara's eldest daughter), who visited Japan to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was present at Isla de Salsa.

14 years trajectory

ISLA DE SALSA 2011
A video created to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Isla, remembering the festivals for 14 years.

GANGA ZUMBA

ISLA DE SALSA 2004
Kazufumi Miyazawa, the vocalist of THE BOOM and the top-tier Japanese artist in Japan, unleashed the euphoria of fans.

Isla de Salsa 2024

  Important Notes

Please read the following information before participating in the "ISLA DE SALSA" festival, it will be much more fun!

We don't have any parking for attendees, so please come by bicycle or public transportation.

There is no parking on Nokonoshima.
Free transport “Shuttle Bus” is available between the Port and the Festival during the festival. You need to show your ticket to board buses.
Durante los días del festival está totalmente prohibido aparcar coches en la isla de Noko.
If you go by car, please use the public parking spaces at the Meinohama port.
Parking on the streets in Nokonoshima is prohibited to avoid any annoyance for the residents of Nokonoshima and also to not inhibit bus service on the very narrow roads.

Drinks and foods are not allowed into the festival venue.

Please note that all baggages will be inspected at entrance gate. Thanks in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

No drinks allowed: NO BEVERAGES of any kind (except milk for infants) can be taken in to the festival venue. Bags will be checked at the entrance and any beverages found will be collected. As you leave the festival, your beverages will be returned to you. We ask for your cooperation and appreciate your understanding.
Foods: brought from outside of the festival are not permitted.

Recording or filming the performers is strictly prohibited.

Smartphones, mobile phones and cameras are allowed to enter the festival venue. However, it is strictly forbidden to photograph, film and record the artists without the authorization of the organizer. Likewise, it is prohibited to take shots with a tripod or commercial shots. Should any of these violations be found, the data will be deleted immediately on the spot. Please note that if you do not follow the instructions of the staff, your photography equipment may be confiscated or you may be asked to leave the venue.

Don't Drink and Drive

We don't sell any alcohol to drivers, nor to people who are underage.

Each person must be responsible for moderating their alcohol consumption. Please note that the effects of alcohol are stronger in the sun. If you find someone feeling ill or intoxicated, please notify the staff or security.

For smokers

Out of consideration for children and the environment, please use the designated smoking area when you wish to smoke.

Beach parasols, mats, camping tents, other items for outdoor activities.

The area in front of the stage is designated for dancing, so it is prohibited to place or use any tripods, chairs, beach seats, etc. within that area. Please place or use your beach seat at the beachside.

Help us separate the trash.

we would like to carry out various initiatives on the theme of ecology at the festival as global warming becomes a problem.
Be sure to separate your trash and dispose of it in the designated bins. Thanks for your cooperation.

To enjoy beach festival

  • Please bring sun umbrellas, towels or any other items which will help to protect you from sunstroke.
  • As there are mosquitos near the water and in the green areas of the festival venue, please come prepared with mosquito repellant.
  • Each person is fully responsible for their own baggage and personal items. (Coin lockers are available).

Others

  • Please be careful that your "Isla de Salsa" bracelet does not break. People who are not wearing a "Isla de Salsa" bracelet will be asked to choose to either pay the ticket price or to leave the festival.
  • Do not enter the dressing rooms or mount the stage.
  • If People come without ticket, we will call the police and transfer the issue to them. After that, we will demand for compensation.
  • We bear no responsibility for any trouble or any accidents either inside or outside of the festival venue.
  • People who cause a nuisance to other attendees, staff or musicians may be asked to leave the festival, after warning from staff or security. In such instances, we will not refund the ticket fee.
  • We don't have any responsibility for any problems, accidents, or robbery. Furthermore, we bear no responsibility towards the resolution of any such problems.
  • Please note that photos and videos will be taken throughout the concert for promotional purposes, and may be posted on social media by the organizer. Please contact the organizer if there is a problem with the published images.

FAQ

  Frequently Asked Questions

There are no parking spaces available on Nokonoshima.

There is NO PUBLIC PARKING available in Nokonoshima. Please DO NOT come by car unless you have an Embarkation permission issued by NPO Tiempo Iberoamericano.
We strongly advise to take public transportation to Meinohama ferry terminal. You can take a Nishitetsu bus from Hakata and Tenjin.
If coming by car, there are paid parkings near the ferry terminal (some of them costs only 500 yen a day) if coming by car. Please check our web site for different parking options in the area.

Temporary luggage storage (surcharge applies) is available at the venue during the festival. You can use it anytime you need.
We will not take any responsibility regarding the loss or theft, so please use the storage units. Please note, we will not store any of your valuables.

Coin lockers:
Coin lockers can be found at the sea house "Umi-no-ie".
* Charge: Large 200 yen / Small 100 yen
* Use these lockers for valuables.

Changing room can be found in the back if you go through the center passage in the sea house.
Also, it is used for a changing room if any shower room is a vacancy.

Hot showers can be found next to the sea house office and BBQ area.
** Charge: 200 yen per 3 mins.
If any shower room is a vacancy, it can be used for a changing room. The entrance will be BBQ area side.

Food and drinks are served at the food stand Café Restaurant SANCHO PANZA and Umi no Ie.

Please note that you cannot bring food or drinks into the venue, so we appreciate your collaboration.

YES, we will open some bungalows in front of the Beat Stage for your rest and there will be many tents where you can also protect yourself. Please feel free to use this areas.

Bungalow Day Use Plan

Upon entering the venue on the day of the event, you will be given a wristband in exchange for your ticket. If you show your wristband to the staff at the entrance, re-entry is possible.
Please note that the bracelet removed from the wrist will not be valid.

The last ferry departure time will be 22:45 on Saturday, and 21:45 on Sunday.
The festival will end with enough time to take the last ferry. There will be extra bus and ferry for the people who wish to take the ferry at the time of the last ferry, so have fun the festival until the end without worries.
(The extra ferry service will operate only in the case of purchasing the ticket before the departure time of the last ferry and if the people waiting exceed the ferry capacity). If you get to Nokonoshima ferry port after the departure time, please be aware that it would be unavailable to take the extra ferry )

Also, the water taxi will be available from Nokonoshima Camp Ground to Meinohama.

Yes, we will offer you bungalows in the venue.

Stay at bungalow

In addition, at Nokonoshima Island Park, located 1.4 km from the festival site, there are 10 cottages overlooking Hakata Bay.

Stay at Island Park

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, there are some hotels and Japanese Inns on the island and in Meinohama area.

Reservations are accepted to sleep in a tent. A space is 4m x 4m.
For more information, read the accommodation page.

It is strictly prohibited to camp in places other than those specified by the organizer and to spend the night without a prior reservation.

Smartphones, mobile phones and cameras are allowed to enter the festival venue. However, it is strictly forbidden to photograph, film and record the artists without the authorization of the organizer.

Likewise, it is prohibited to take shots with a tripod or commercial shots. Should any of these violations be found, the data will be deleted immediately on the spot. Please note that if you do not follow the instructions of the staff, your photography equipment may be confiscated or you may be asked to leave the venue.

Any other question, please contact us!

092-762-4100
Contact Form