🏮 Nishimonai no Bon Odori

西馬音内の盆踊

Ugo, Akita (Honcho Street) · Every year, 16–18 August

UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageImportant Intangible Folk Cultural PropertyBon odoriTraditional performing arts

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Rooms around Ugo, Akita fill up while the festival is on.

Nishimonai no Bon Odori is held every year from August 16 to 18 in Nishimonai, Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture. It has been designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and in 2022 it was registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is regarded as one of Japan's three great bon dances, and takes place along Nishimonai Honcho-dori in the town. As for its origins, one legend says a practicing monk had people dance it at Zao Gongen during the Sho-o era, while another theory says it began in 1601 as a memorial for Onodera Shigemichi, lord of Nishimonai Castle, though no records remain and the accuracy is unclear. A 1935 Tokyo performance prompted the current form of the dance to take shape, and in 1958 it was changed to be held in August on the new calendar. The highlight is the sight of dancers with their faces hidden by amigasa (woven hats) or Hikozo-zukin (hoods), dressed as ghosts, dancing around bonfires along the road. They dance to hayashi music of flute, shamisen, and drums, with two types of song, jinku and jiguchi, and the fast-paced "ganke" creates a mournful atmosphere.