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Lanterns glow in the summer night, the lively sound of geta clogs echoes on the streets, and music fills the air. This is the Gujo Odori, a traditional dance festival with a history of over 400 years, and it’s an experience especially wonderful for adults.
For those new to the festival, this guide will introduce the charm of the Gujo Odori, with a special focus on its most famous event: the all-night dance.
Contents
What is the Gujo Odori?
The Gujo Odori is a traditional Bon Odori (Bon Festival dance) held in Gujo Hachiman, a charming castle town in the heart of Gifu Prefecture. The festival has continued since the Edo period and takes place over 31 nights from mid-July to early September.
The most famous part of the festival is the “Tetsuya Odori” (All-Night Dance), held from August 13th to 16th during the Obon holiday period.
During these four nights, people dance from 8:00 p.m. until dawn to 10 different traditional songs.
Its fame has grown nationwide, with Gujo Odori events even being held in places like Aoyama, Tokyo.
How to Participate in the Gujo Odori
There are no requirements for participation in the Gujo Odori.
The festival began in the Edo period when the lord of Gujo Hachiman Castle declared, “Let’s dance together without distinction of status during the four days of Obon.” Therefore, anyone can join in.
This means there are no spectators. Everyone there is a dancer.
You might worry if you can dance well, but don’t worry. The Bon Odori consists of simple, repetitive movements. As the dance continues from 8 p.m. until dawn, you’ll naturally pick it up.
Tips for Enjoying the Gujo Odori
First, Enjoy the Townscape
The word “all-night dancing” might suggest a wild party, but the atmosphere of Gujo Odori is more about a shared, joyful energy. The venue itself, the town of Gujo Hachiman, is incredibly charming. It’s a castle town with beautiful, historic streets.
Clear streams run through the town, and you’ll find public drinking fountains with fresh, cool water.
Daytime vs. Nighttime.At night, the streets are so full of people dancing face-to-face that it’s hard to imagine the quiet daytime scene. The charm of the Gujo Odori is this beautiful townscape combined with the peaceful, unified atmosphere of the dancers.
Dressing the Part: Yukata and Geta
While you can dance in regular clothes, wearing a *yukata* (summer kimono) and *geta* (wooden clogs) will enhance your experience. You can find yukata rentals at shops like Ishiyama Gofukuten.
*Geta* are highly recommended because some of the dance steps involve making a crisp sound with the clogs on the pavement. You can buy a reasonably priced pair (around 2,000 yen) at many shops in town, and they will adjust the straps to fit your feet on the spot. Some shops even let you create your own stylish pair by choosing the strap pattern.
This is a popular shop for original geta.
I also recommend getting a small *sacoche* bag. It was very useful for keeping valuables and a drink bottle together, leaving both hands free to focus on the dance.
Don’t Worry, Just Dance!
As I mentioned, there’s no need to worry about dancing perfectly. No one cares if you’re a beginner! The fun is in joining the circle and imitating what you see.
Once you get used to it, you’ll naturally pick up the timing for the calls and shouts like “Satto!” that make the dance circle more exciting.
The festival runs for a long time, so if you get tired, you can take a break. Step into a side street, cool your feet in the clear stream, enjoy some of Gujo Hachiman’s gourmet food, and then rejoin the dance circle whenever you feel ready. This relaxed, come-and-go style is one of the charms of the festival.
Grilled salted *ayu* (sweetfish) and Kobokobo, a craft beer from Gujo Hachiman, are perfect for a break.The energy of the dance grows as the night goes on. It’s a gentle, fun, and uplifting feeling, different from a loud party.
Access to Gujo Hachiman
If you plan to stay overnight, I recommend booking your accommodation well in advance, especially during the all-night dance period.
For access, check below.
From Gifu / Nagoya
Take a highway bus from Gifu Bus Terminal or Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya) bound for Gujo Hachiman. It takes about 1-1.5 hours.
From Kansai / Kanto Area
It’s best to take the Shinkansen to Nagoya and then transfer to a highway bus.
Summary
The sight of people in yukata against a beautiful townscape, the sound of live music and clicking geta, and the sense of unity that grows as the songs repeat over and over—this is the unique charm of the Gujo Odori.
It’s an experience I especially want adults to enjoy. I hope you’ll come and experience this excitement for yourself.
If you’re curious, please visit Gujo Hachiman during the Obon festival!
