The Owara Kaze no Bon Festival is finally here! What is the plan to enjoy the traditional event "Owara Kaze no Bon Festival" smoothly?

  • Toyama
  • Experience Gifu
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Owara Kaze no Bon Festival, which will finally be held from September 1 to 3, is one of the most popular festivals in Japan, with a history of about 300 years in the Yatsuo district of Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, and attracts about 200,000 visitors over the three days. Here we introduce the charm of "Owara Kaze no Bon Festival," Toyama's most exciting festival at this time of the year, and plans for enjoying it 100%.

Features of Owara Kaze no Bon Festival

Owara Kaze no Bon Festival image
It is said that "Owara Kaze no Bon Festival" originally started as a wind-calm festival to pray for a good harvest. It was originally an event to prevent wind damage in farming villages and to pray for a bountiful harvest, but it gradually grew into a traditional local culture and has now become a large-scale festival that attracts many tourists. The most distinctive feature of the festival is the sight of men and women wearing braided hats with their heads deeply woven into their heads singing and dancing through the historic town of Yatsuo in a rich emotional atmosphere to the accompaniment of shamisen, kokyu (Japanese violin), and Etchu Owara-bushi (folk song). The scenery of the townscape of Yatsuo, with its houses with lattice doors and storehouses that still retain the atmosphere of the old days, lined with thousands of Bonbori lanterns is very fantastic.

Points to note when enjoying the Owara Kaze no Bon Festival

Photo courtesy of Toyama Tourism Promotion Organization
The Yatsuo area, the venue of the festival, can be reached by bus from Toyama Station in about 50 to 60 minutes, and a dedicated parking lot (shuttle bus service to the venue) is available a short distance away from the venue. However, since traffic jams and congestion are expected on the day of the festival, we recommend a plan that includes a shuttle bus for direct access to the nearby venue. Also, although the "Owara Kaze no Bon Festival" continues until late at night, there are not many restaurants in the Yatsuo area, so this year's plan includes a special lunch box made with local ingredients. We expect a large number of tourists to visit the festival this year, and now that the environment is more conducive to enjoying the Owara Kaze no Bon Festival than before, why not take this opportunity to visit the festival?

A special viewing plan that includes a special lunch box and a dedicated rest area is now available!

Special stage image
This year, a special viewing plan is available for tourists to fully enjoy the "Owara Kaze no Bon Festival". The plans include a special stage performance at the Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, a lecture on how to dance, a special lunch box made with local ingredients, participation in a round dance, and a rest area to take a break while viewing the festival in the town. The plan also includes a special private machiya seating plan that allows you to view the dance in front of you in your own room while enjoying the atmosphere of the dance. Interpreters will be provided for stage viewing and participation in the ring dance, and multilingual pamphlets will be available so that not only Japanese but also foreigners can enjoy the dance.

Outline of the Special Viewing Plan

Name: "Ecchu Yatsuo Owara Kaze no Bon Festival" Special Viewing Plan
◎Date: September 1 (Sun), 2 (Mon), 3 (Tue), 2024
◎There are three plans available as follows.

1) "Special Performance Plan at Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (with shuttle bus and rest area)

Visitors will enjoy a special stage performance at the Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall and a hands-on lecture on how to dance the "Etchu Yatsuo Owara Kaze no Bon Festival". You will also enjoy a special lunch box made with local ingredients and served in the comfort of your own seat in the hall. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a round dance with local people. In addition, a private bus will take you from near Toyama Station to the festival site, and a private house near the festival area will be available as a rest area for you to take a break during your stay.

Special Performance Plan at Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (with shuttle bus & rest area)

2) "Special Performance Plan at Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall

You will enjoy a special stage performance at the Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall and a hands-on lecture on how to dance the "Etchu Yatsuo Owara Kaze no Bon Festival". Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in a "round dance" with local residents. In addition, a special box lunch using local ingredients will be served at a table in the hall, where you can enjoy it in a relaxed atmosphere.
Special Performance Plan at Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall

Special Performance Plan at the Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (2) Special Performance Plan at the Yatsuo Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (3) Special Seating Plan at Machiya Rental

This plan allows you to rent a townhouse in the area where the "Etchu Yatsuo Owara Kaze no Bon Festival" is held. While enjoying the atmosphere of the machiya, you can watch the dancing up close in your room, or you can relax and watch the festival from the second floor of the machiya. In addition, guests can relax and enjoy food and beverages made with local ingredients.
Special Bleacher Seating Plan at Machiya
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