The neighborhood that invented the Obon Jovi dance is back with a new set list of rock and disco hits.
bon-odori
Classic anime opening theme song provides the musical accompaniment for old-school summertime celebration in Tokyo.
The west Tokyo neighborhood’s take on the centuries-old event is like bad medicine, and bad medicine is what I need.
Nihonbashi’s beautiful “minamo fireworks” and tempting goldfish sweets are part of its plan for fun even in record-breaking heat.
People in Japan are commenting that they’ve never seen Hello Kitty’s limbs move like this before.
At this time of year, if I’m walking around town in the evening, I’ll often hear rousing taiko drums and joyful traditional music. Believe it or not, this isn’t an impromptu concert put on by the revelers that always greet my arrival wherever I go, but the sound of a bon dance, (“bon odori” in Japanese).
Part of the summer Obon festivities, bon dances have been held for centuries, and have a spiritual significance in some localities. Even where they’re held for purely festive reasons, they’re a way of fostering a sense of community and preserving cultural heritage.
But while to most Japanese people the sound of bon odori music brings a welcome and warm rush of nostalgic summer memories, one neighborhood in Japan performs its dance with no music at all, and it’s not because all of the dancers have innately perfect rhythm.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot
Tokyo family serves totally non-traditional super old-school katsudon at century-old restaurant
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
Family Mart goes matcha crazy with new lineup of green tea sweets in Japan
Super budget dining in Japan – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at restaurant Saizeria?
Cherry blossom-viewing bus tour for dogs now available in Japan
Kyoto will abolish one-day bus passes to combat tourism overcrowding
Can you customise the Starbucks Snoopy Frappuccino to make it even more like Snoopy?【Taste test】
Edible 10-yen coins become a hot new trend in Tokyo【Taste test】
Japan’s newest capsule toys: Capsules that Absolutely Won’t Open【Photos】
Weekly
- Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot
Satoshi/Ash’s voice actress almost couldn’t make it through final Pokémon anime recording session- Super budget dining in Japan – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at restaurant Saizeria?
For you, this is good enough! Appliance maker’s brutally honest ads charm Japan
Cup Noodles Breakfast brings American morning meal taste of pancakes and sausage to instant ramen
Pikachu afternoon tea adds an anime twist to high tea in Japan- Kyoto will abolish one-day bus passes to combat tourism overcrowding
The beautiful booth models of the Tokyo Motorcycle Show【Photos】
Nikka Whisky’s recipe for Bacon French Toast turns bread crusts into the perfect drinking partner
The booth models, booths, and official cosplayers of Anime Japan【Photos】
Monthly
Message to foreigners at Japanese convenience store sparks controversy online
Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako cosplays as Valorant character in amazing transformation
Gigantic new anime store opening soon in Tokyo, and here’s a sneak-peek【Photos】
Daiso opens massive new 25,392-square foot Tokyo flagship store with its two sub-brands included
Japan’s randoseru school backpacks keep getting more expensive, so now parents can rent them- Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot
- Japan’s newest capsule toys: Capsules that Absolutely Won’t Open【Photos】
New Japanese KitKat combines two flavours in one for brand new taste sensation
Shinjuku izakaya’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan is one of Tokyo’s best secret cheap eats
Ghibli Park visitors caught in lewd acts with anime character figures
Yearly
Manga artist wants Japanese teachers to feel, for two seconds, how dumb their girls’ dress code is
One Punch Man manga artist’s amazing “practice” drawing is so good we think he might not be human
Sony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
Travelling to Japan soon? Beware the “Three Small Hells” awaiting tourists upon arrival
Japan ends travel ban on individual tourists, waives visa requirements for certain countries
One Piece’s Luffy spent years of manga’s publication without saying a word to one of his nakama
Pokémon Center apologizes for writing model Nicole Fujita’s name as Nicole Fujita
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Image-generating AI’s picture of “Final Fantasy VII Cloud” is so wrong, yet so right
New Studio Ghibli humidifiers breathe anime magic into your home
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Cherry blossom-viewing bus tour for dogs now available in Japan
Kyoto will abolish one-day bus passes to combat tourism overcrowding
Can you customise the Starbucks Snoopy Frappuccino to make it even more like Snoopy?【Taste test】
Edible 10-yen coins become a hot new trend in Tokyo【Taste test】
Japan’s newest capsule toys: Capsules that Absolutely Won’t Open【Photos】
New Pokémon Wedding Plan in Japan includes Pikachu couples jewellery
For you, this is good enough! Appliance maker’s brutally honest ads charm Japan
Shinjuku izakaya’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan is one of Tokyo’s best secret cheap eats
One of Tokyo’s best hot spring complexes is closing for good
Coca-Cola Japan releasing canned Jack Daniel’s cocktails
Gigantic new anime store opening soon in Tokyo, and here’s a sneak-peek【Photos】
The impossible circular staircase is just that… impossible【Video】
A visit to the best UFO catcher arcade in the universe!
-
