HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Tokyo Tokyo's Surrounding Areas 2019 Bon Odori Dance Festivals in and around Tokyo: Dancing in the Summer Heat

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2019 Bon Odori Dance Festivals in and around Tokyo: Dancing in the Summer Heat

Date published: 10 July 2017
Last updated: 17 June 2019

Bon Odori, often called Bon Dance or Bon Festival, is an inherent part of every Japanese summer experience. Originally, Bon Odori is a dance festival held to honor, appreciate, and remember one’s ancestors with a dance of joy. It is also a form of welcoming, as it is believed that the spirits of the ancestors visit their family’s house shrines during the three days that Obon traditionally lasts.
It is only natural that this Japanese summer highlight is taking place at various places and areas in and around Tokyo, each one of them well worth a visit. We picked the liveliest and most interesting Obon Festivals for you, so grab your geta and your yukata and get to dancing – everyone is welcome to join!

The large bon dance event in Hibiya Park takes place since 2003, as a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the beautiful Hibiya Park itself. Every year, more and more visitors join the summer night dancing fun, with about 34,000 people enjoying the two-day bon festival in 2016. The characteristic of Hibiya Park’s bon dance is the lit-up fountain in the center, making for an enigmatic experience as you dance around it.

(Saturdays only: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

This year marks the 70th time that the Tsukiji Hongwanji Bon Odori takes place, one of Tokyo’s liveliest summer dance festivals. As the name suggests, it is held on the precincts of the majestic Tsukiji Hongwanji temple – its main hall is a designated important . Look forward to the famous taiko group Oedo Sukeroku Taiko that will hold several performances during the days of the bon event. On top of that, you’ll get the chance to dance in any costume of your choice with the special costume events, should a regular yukata be too boring for you!
If you’re getting hungry, why not head over to the famous Tsukiji Market and enjoy some amazing Japanese street food?

・Friday, August 23: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (no Bon dance taking place)
・Saturday, August 24 and Sunday August 25: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Bon dance: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

A large, elevated stage resembling a tower called a yagura stands in the center of the famous Roppongi Hills, the massive landmark of the area. There’s no application necessary to be part of the lively bon dance, so just join the fun and dancing at your own pace!
Various restaurants and bars located inside Roppongi Hills will open up food stalls at the bon festival venue, providing delicious refreshments and treats for hungry, thirsty dancers.

The Minato Mirai Bon Odori festival in Yokohama is one of the most popular events in the greater Tokyo area. This is because it takes place in Yokohama’s Port City and thus directly at the sea and beach. The atmospheric Rinko Park serves as a venue where not only bon dancers gather around the yagura, but various stalls offer snacks and drinks to make your Japanese summer experience perfect all around!
Apart from the Bon dance itself, we urge you to enjoy the lit-up Yokohama Bay Bridge in the distance – many people gaze at the romantic scenery to make a secret wish or two.

This bon dance festival takes place at Camp Shimoshizu, which are the grounds of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. There is not only a big bon dance taking place but also various other highlights, such as a performance by the music corps and a variety of outdoor shops opening on the premises.
Another must-see is the beautiful fireworks, painting the night-time sky in a hundred different colors. The Camp Shimoshizu Bon Odori really offers everything a Japanese summer has to offer: dancing, fireworks, and amazing food!