Owara Kaze no Bon: A Classic Japanese Dance Festival

Dancing in the Street

Owara Kaze no Bon is a festival held every year from September 1 to 3 in the city of Toyama. Dancers stream down the street in matching yukata and straw hats pulled down low over their faces, creating a mysterious scene, accompanied by music played on taiko drums, kokyū (a stringed instrument played with a bow), and forlorn-sounding shamisen.

Early September is a blustery time, and typhoons are a common occurrence. This 300-year-old festival is held in hopes of a good harvest, with the dancers calling for protection from wind damage to the rice crops.

Dance Festivals in Toyama, Tokushima, and Yamagata Prefectures

Lines of perfectly choreographed dancers decked out in traditional regalia take to the streets in three famous dance festivals.

(Originally written in English. Banner photo © Pixta.)