Summer Festival Sendai Suzume Odori

Started in 2003 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the construction of Sendai Castle, this summer festival is held every year in late July in Sendai City. The “Suzume Odori,” or Sparrow Dance, gets its name from how the movements resemble sparrows pecking for food, and it is said to have originated from a dance performed by stonemasons for Date Masamune at a banquet celebrating the construction of Sendai Castle.

On the day of the festival, Approx. 200 meters of Miyagino-dori by Sendai Station’s East Exit are closed to traffic and turned into a special event venue. Many local residents and corporate groups take part, performing the “Onagashi,” a parade-style dance through the street, and stage performances. Each group wears matching costumes, and their dances, based on traditional choreography with creative arrangements, are colorful and impressive. The finale is the “Souodori,” in which spectators can also join and dance freely. The venue fills with excitement and reaches its peak energy.

Along with the Suzume Odori, the festival also features a variety of stage events such as dance performances and live music. Food stalls and kitchen cars line the venue, where you can also enjoy Sendai’s local cuisine.