An enchanting folk festival with mysterious songs and beautiful dances
Held annually over the first three days of September in Yatsuo, a rustic district in southern Toyama City, the Owara Kaze no Bon Festival is a lively event, known for its elegant traditional dances.
Don't Miss
- The all-night bon odori festival dances in Yatsuo's historic district
- The sounds of the traditional three-stringed shamisen and taiko drums
How to Get There
The festival is held in the center of Yatsuo and can be accessed by bus from Toyama Station and Etchu Yatsuo Station.
Free shuttle buses run between Toyama Station and the festival area. Alternatively, you can take a train from Toyama Station to Etchu Yatsuo Station, and then a 12-minute bus to the town center.
A prayer for a bountiful harvest
For much of their history, the people of Japan have faced many natural disasters, such as typhoons and floods. The Owara Kaze no Bon Festival originated over 300 years ago to appease the winds, and to pray for respite from calamities that would destroy their crops at harvest time.
Music, movement, and pageantry
Tucked away in the mountains in the southwest of Toyama City, the quiet town of Yatsuo transforms into celebration central for three days in early September. From mid-afternoon to well past nightfall, scores of colorfully dressed dancers from 11 towns join in a procession through streets lined with historic wooden buildings.
The unique style of the festival
With straw hats, synchronized moves, and identical kimono, Owara's women have made this festival famous. Stage performances and a multitude of paper lanterns add to the festive atmosphere which turns magical at night.
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.