The Basara Festival is a popular participatory event that began in 1999. Held over two days at iconic Nara locations such as the World Heritage sites Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, as well as Sanjo-dori Street, it draws lively crowds. The dancing parade performed by each group, centered on street dance, creates a dynamic scene where tradition and contemporary culture meet.
The word “Basara,” which gives the festival its name, refers to a free-spirited aesthetic that emerged during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. It means a spirit of boldly expressing glamour and individuality without being bound by convention, and it spread as a cultural idea that symbolized the sensibilities of the time.
This festival brings that “spirit of Basara” into the present day. Against a backdrop of powerful music, dance teams in vividly colored costumes parade through the streets with original choreography, bringing energetic color to the ancient capital at the height of summer heat. One of its greatest appeals is the sense of freedom created as performers and visitors come together, regardless of age, gender, or nationality.
Come witness a special moment where you can feel both freedom and excitement.
Highlights
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Held over two days at some of Nara’s best-known landmarks, including Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
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A powerful dancing parade that blends street dance with traditional culture.
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Get swept up in free and highly individual performances that embody the spirit of “Basara.”
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Vivid costumes, music, and choreography bring energetic color to summer in the ancient capital.
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Experience an overwhelming sense of freedom that brings visitors together across age, gender, and nationality.
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