Gujo Odori is a traditional summer dance festival held in Hachiman-cho, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture, from mid-July to early September each year. Known as Japan’s longest-running Bon Odori festival, it features dancing over a total of 32 nights and attracts enthusiastic participants from across Japan.
One of the festival’s highlights is the all-night dancing event, known as Tetsuya Odori, when people dance from evening until the following morning. The festival creates an energetic atmosphere in which locals and visitors join hands in a celebration of traditional Japanese culture.
Gujo Odori features ten traditional songs, each accompanied by its own distinctive dance:
The dance movements are generally simple and easy to learn, allowing beginners and tourists to join in with little difficulty.
The dancers gather around a movable, two-tiered wooden platform called a yagura. Musicians perform on shamisen, drums, and flutes, accompanied by traditional singing and rhythmic calls from the crowd.
Matsusaka is traditionally the final dance of the evening. It is performed with only wooden clappers and singing, making it easier to conclude the festivities without the need for extensive equipment arrangements.
The origins of Gujo Odori are believed to lie in medieval Buddhist nenbutsu dances and other traditional folk dances known as furyu odori.
During the early Edo period (1603–1868), the lords of Gujo Domain encouraged the dances to strengthen bonds among local residents. Over time, the tradition developed into a large-scale Bon festival in which the entire castle town became a stage for communal dancing.
In 1996, Gujo Odori was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. In 2022, it was also inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list as part of the traditional Bon Odori dances of Japan.
One of the defining characteristics of Gujo Odori is its welcoming, participatory spirit. Dancers form a circle around the yagura and perform movements that vary according to the song.
Because the steps are relatively simple, even first-time visitors can participate. There is no need to be an experienced dancer; simply watch the people around you and follow their movements.
Wearing a traditional yukata summer kimono and wooden geta sandals can make the experience even more memorable, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese summer festival.
The most famous part of Gujo Odori is Tetsuya Odori, the all-night dancing celebration. According to the festival tradition described here, the event takes place over four nights from August 13 to 16, with participants dancing throughout the night. The festival period attracts approximately 250,000 visitors.
Dance enthusiasts travel from all over Japan to join the festivities, continuing until dawn. The sight of dancers in colorful summer attire, accompanied by the lively sounds of flutes and drums, creates an unforgettable spectacle.
Surrounded by the mountains of the Oku-Mino region and built along the Yoshida River, Gujo Hachiman is a historic castle town that comes alive during the summer festival season.
From mid-July through September, the sounds of flutes, drums, and traditional singing echo through the streets after dark. Local residents and first-time visitors gather together to form large circles and dance, creating a welcoming atmosphere that transcends generations and backgrounds.
At night, lanterns illuminate the festival venues, transforming the town into a magical scene. Numerous food stalls offer refreshments and meals, giving visitors opportunities to take a break and enjoy local festival treats.
Throughout the Gujo Odori season, the entire town becomes filled with energy and excitement, making the festival an excellent opportunity to experience the warmth of traditional Japanese community life.
Visitors who cannot attend the festival itself can still experience Gujo Odori at the Gujo Hachiman Hakurankan Museum. Live dance demonstrations are held throughout the year, and permanent exhibitions introduce the history and cultural traditions of Gujo Odori.
The museum offers an excellent way to learn about the festival and its distinctive dance styles, even outside the summer season.