The Owara Bon Festival, held every year from September 1st to 3rd in the Yao district of Toyama City, is a traditional event that represents Toyama Prefecture. Fantastic dance and music envelop the entire town, captivating all who visit. We will tell you about the charms of the Owara Bon Festival, which continues to attract attention from tourists every summer.
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Established by Shigeru Aoi, CEO of Atom Co., Ltd., which has a connection with Toyama, Kitanihon Shimbun, which represents Toyama, and Ayumu Ishikawa, a professional baseball player from Toyama. We are a team that connects something with Toyama and creates new businesses together with Toyama. If you define “regional revitalization” as creating a sustainable society by making use of the characteristics of each region in Japan to put a brake on the overconcentration of Tokyo, the “regional awakening” that Toyamato is aiming for is completely different. have a concept Instead of being led by the local government or government, many people with a love for Toyama will rediscover the charm of Toyama, take pride in it, and spread it around the world on their own initiative. Ultimately, the main character is “people”, and I believe that the diversity of people mixed together will enhance the appeal of Toyama.
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Table of Contents
- What is Yao Owara Bon Festival?
- Collaboration event with AMAYOT
- The charm of Owara Bon Festival
- Owara Bon Festival 2024
What is Yao Owara Bon Festival?
Owara Bon Festival is a traditional event with over 300 years of history, characterized by dancers dancing through the town to the sounds of shamisen and kokyu instruments. The dance, with its graceful, supple movements and unique rhythm, has been passed down by people of all ages and genders in the region. This dance, which unfolds silently in the darkness of night as the entire town comes together, gives you a sense of the beauty and spirit of Japan.
Collaboration event with AMAYOT
In 2019, we collaborated with Owara at AMAYOT, a popular spot in Toyama City, under the concept of "AMAYOT × TOYAMA", to collaborate with the best things in Toyama and to liven up Toyama. Prior to the Owara Bon Festival, a small group of elite dancers performed a one-night-only dance, providing an opportunity to experience the world of Owara for a AMAYOT as the stage.
AMAYOT is a popular spot for delicious local food and drink, but on this night it had a completely different atmosphere, with the graceful movements of dancers and the sounds of traditional music echoing through the air.
The charm of Owara Bon Festival
The sight of men and women with straw hats pulled down over their eyes, dancing to the melancholy sounds of the kokyu and shamisen, and Etchu Owarabushi songs, makes you feel the coming of autumn. Each branch has different dance moves, yukata colors and patterns, and song lyrics, so it might be fun to compare the different towns.
The townscape of Yao is also a beautiful sight with cobblestone streets and historic buildings remaining. On the night of the Owara Bon Festival, the whole town is lit up with lights, and the sight of the dancers dancing in the air is truly photogenic. The nighttime streetscape and the silhouettes of the dancers are a sight you will never forget once you have seen them.
Owara Bon Festival 2024
Date and time
September 1st (Sun) 17:00 - 23:00
Monday, September 2nd 17:00 - 23:00
Tuesday, September 3, 19:00 - 23:00
Owara Bon Festival takes place every year from September 1st to 3rd. Details and schedule of the event can be found on the official website.
Why not spend a heartwarming moment experiencing Toyama's beautiful traditions?
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