Okinawa Eisa Festival

One of Japan's three major Bon dances, held annually in August in Tokushima City. With over 400 years of history, it's famous for the saying 'Both the dancer and watcher are fools, so you might as well dance!' Characterized by distinctive rhythm and vigorous footwork, attracting over 1 million visitors annually.

Okinawa's representative Bon dance tradition. Young people in vibrant costumes perform in groups while beating large and small drums. Held during the lunar Obon season throughout the region, it expresses Okinawa's unique musical culture and folk beliefs. Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it symbolizes Okinawan identity and cultural pride.

A traditional dance performed in Okinawa during the Bon festival season, rooted in Ryukyuan folk beliefs. Performed as a ritual to welcome and send off ancestors, it involves dynamic dancing with drumming. A vibrant performing art symbolizing Okinawa's unique culture and history, with significant international recognition.

Japan's largest Bon dance festival with over 400 years of history in Tokushima Prefecture. Known for the chant 'It's a fool who dances and a fool who watches—if both are fools, you might as well dance,' it is held annually during the Obon period in August. Groups called 'ren' dance through the streets to distinctive rhythms.

A traditional Japanese Buddhist event to welcome and honor ancestral spirits. Observed around August 13-16, it features regional events such as bon dances and toro nagashi lantern floating. One of Japan's largest annual observances that triggers a major homecoming rush, it serves as an important occasion for reaffirming family bonds.

A traditional Japanese observance welcoming and honoring ancestral spirits, held around August 13-16. Customs of lighting welcoming and farewell fires and dancing Bon-odori to commemorate ancestors are rooted nationwide. With many regional customs such as Kyoto's Daimonji Gozan Okuribi and Shoro Nagashi, it embodies the Japanese view of life and death.

Japan's largest Bon dance festival, held August 12-15 in Tokushima City. With approximately 400 years of history, it is famous for the motto: 'You're a fool whether you dance or watch, so you might as well dance!' Groups called ren dance through streets to shamisen, taiko, and flute accompaniment, attracting over 1.3 million visitors.