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Etchu Owara Kaze-no-Bon

Dance that has been passed down for over 300 years in Etchu Yatsuo, a town in the mountains. It attracts about 200,000 people every year.

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Etchu Yatsuo is a town in the mountains on the southwest part of Toyama City. In the Edo period (1603 -1868), the town flourished in the sericulture industry and developed as a post town. Even today, houses with characteristic white walls stand along the cobblestone road centered on Suwamachi Hondori street. You can enjoy the old town atmosphere.

Suwamachi town is one of the 11 towns selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Roads. In these towns, Owara Dance is held for three days from September 1 every year. It is said to have begun around the Genroku era (1688 -1740). It is a folk song event that has been cherished by local people for more than 300 years.

Several thousand lanterns line the streets of town with a very classic scene. Sounds of shamisen, fiddles, and drums can be heard with men and women dancing and singing to the note. The first and second days will be held from 3pm and the last day from 7pm to 11pm. We especially recommend the night when the lanterns are lit.

※Hours may be subject to change. Please visit official website for details.

Wa-Odori dance, where people dance in a circle, and Machi-nagashi dance, where people dance their way through the town, are held in each town. The costumes of the dancers and local people are different in each town, and you can enjoy the atmosphere in each town.

You can also visit the Yatsuo Owara Museum. The building is a revival of a traditional house. You can see images and documents of Owara Dance.

Highlights

  • This folk song event has been held for more than 300 years in the town of Yatsuo in Ecchu, which still has the townscape of the Edo period (1603-1868).
  • Men and women dance along the streets lit with thousands of lanterns to the sounds of shamisen and other instruments.
  • The different costumes of each town are also a must-see.
  • It is especially fantastic and beautiful at night when the lanterns are lit.
  • Yatsuo Owara Museum introduces Etchu Owara Kaze-no-Bon with videos and materials.

Photos

  • Suwamachi Hondori street, which has been selected as one of the 100 best roads in Japan.  Lanterns line the streets of town with a very classic scene with stone roads.

    Suwamachi Hondori street, which has been selected as one of the 100 best roads in Japan. Lanterns line the streets of town with a very classic scene with stone roads.

  • The dancers wearing braided hats dance in an elegant mood.

    The dancers wearing braided hats dance in an elegant mood.

  • Fantastic, especially at night when the lanterns are lit

    Fantastic, especially at night when the lanterns are lit

  • Sounds of shamisen, fiddles, and drums can be heard while singing to the note.

    Sounds of shamisen, fiddles, and drums can be heard while singing to the note.

  • You can also visit the Yatsuo Owara Museum.

    You can also visit the Yatsuo Owara Museum.

Reviews

Details

Name in Japanese
越中八尾 おわら風の盆
Telephone
076-454-5138 Etchu Yatsuo Tourist Association
Schedule
September 1-3
Directions
JR Takayama Main Line Etchu Yatsuo Station
Website
Official Website (Japanese)