Nishimonai Bon Odori
The Nishimonai Bon Odori is held annually from August 16 to 18 in Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture. It is recognized as one of Japan’s three most significant Bon dances and is designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. With a history spanning more than 700 years, the dance is believed to have originated as a ritual to ensure a bountiful harvest and was later merged with a memorial dance performed for the spirits of fallen samurai of the Onodera clan.
The festival is noted for its distinctive and mysterious costumes. Dancers wear either amigasa (semi-circular straw hats) or hiko-zukin (black fabric hoods). The black hoods are a particularly unique feature, as they completely conceal the dancers’ faces, symbolizing the presence of the deceased joining the living in dance. Performers typically wear hanui, which are elegant patchwork kimonos constructed from silk scraps—some dating back to the Edo and Meiji periods—passed down through generations of local families as heirlooms.
The performance takes place at night on the town’s main street, illuminated by large bonfires known as kagaribi. The dancers move in a rhythmic, fluid motion to the accompaniment of the Nishimonai-bayashi. This musical ensemble features the shamisen, flutes, and taiko drums, often characterized by high-pitched, melancholic vocals. The contrast between the energetic music and the silent, veiled figures of the dancers creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that defines this traditional observance.
Accessing Ugo Town requires significant planning, as it is not serviced by rail; the nearest transport hub is JR Yuzawa Station, from which a 20-minute bus or taxi ride is necessary. During the festival nights, local authorities strictly prohibit the use of camera flashes and tripods along the primary dance route to maintain the atmosphere provided by the kagaribi bonfires. Additionally, because the hanui kimonos are irreplaceable family treasures, spectators are expected to maintain a respectful distance from the dancers to avoid snagging or damaging the fragile silk patchwork.