[Held on Sat, 9/5] Kurashiki Downtown Bon Odori ~ Enjoy a bon dance that everyone can join, set to a song inspired by the Seto Inland Sea

Do you remember going to a neighborhood Bon Odori dance as a child, with your parents holding your hand?

Summer festivals and Bon Odori dances were once a hallmark of summer, but they are gradually disappearing from towns. In central Kurashiki City, a Bon Odori event was started to bring such a gathering place back.

The “Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori,” to be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Bios Ikoi Square in Kurashiki Center Street, is a Bon Odori where anyone can join in on the spot, regardless of age, nationality, or disability.

We spoke with the organizers about the 2026 event, which began as “Kurashiki Sonouchi Bon Odori” and will be held for the third time.

What is the “Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori”?

The “Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori” is a Bon Odori event to be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Bios Ikoi Square in Kurashiki Center Street.

The schedule for the day is as follows.

Times and details are subject to change.

The dance and song for the Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori are original creations inspired by the Seto Inland Sea. “Setouchi Scenic Ondo” was composed by contemporary Ondo composer Yamanaka Camera, with choreography by dancer Kenjirubien.

Starting with the second event, singers also began incorporating words brought by attendees into songs on the spot.

Interview with the “Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori” organizers

We spoke with Yuichi Akiba and Natsumi Kameyama of Kurabiz Co., Ltd., which handles the administration of the “Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori,” about the event.

Could you tell us how the “Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori” was conceived?

Akiba (honorific omitted)

As I spent time with people with disabilities, I heard from many people that wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities felt they had a hard time finding enjoyable places to go. I think that was where the idea began.

For example, they might want to go to a live music venue. Even if they are told, “Sure, you can,” I heard that the question of whether they are really welcome makes the door feel heavier than any physical barrier. As we talked, I realized that everyone is doing their best to live their lives, and I wanted to create an event where they could come together.

At times like that, I thought the best thing would be to hold it in a public place with no doors. Also, Bon Odori events are disappearing one after another, aren’t they? When I was little, my mother would take me by the hand, and every neighborhood had a Bon Odori where people looked after me. I felt that things like that were disappearing from our towns.

Those are good memories for me.
I wanted today’s children to experience the same thing. Those ideas came together, and that’s how we decided to hold a Bon Odori.

Is there a highlight this year?

Akiba

Even as the event has grown, we haven’t changed its basic concept.
I don’t think the goal is to attract a crowd. We hold it with the idea of bringing together more people who understand its meaning.

The only real change is the idea of writing the lyrics together. The first event had complete lyrics, but starting with the second, the singers sang lyrics brought by everyone on the day, and we all danced together.

Also, this year the Seppuku Pistols will be joining us.
They are musicians who adapt traditional Japanese festivals for modern times and have earned high acclaim around the world. We’ve been inviting them for a long time, and this is the first time they’ll be able to come. They’ll parade through town, enter Seiganji Temple, and then make their way to the Bon Odori venue.

But the main attraction is still the Bon Odori. It’s at the heart of the event, and that won’t change.

Seiganji Temple: A temple with a history dating back to the Heian period

Around Mt. Tsurugata in the Bikan Historical Area are many temples and shrines, including Kanryuji Temple and Achi Shrine. Jodo Buddhism’s Bukkosan Jojinin Temple …

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What is the atmosphere of the festival like?

Akiba

In terms of atmosphere, we want it to be a gathering where people with disabilities aren’t the only ones who come, but where people can join in freely and no one is excluded.

The same goes for people from other countries.
The number of Vietnamese and other foreign residents is growing in Kurashiki, too. They’re people who are simply doing their best to live their lives, so I think that when they join in events like this, it helps eliminate divisions.

We don’t want to say, “Come because you have a disability,” or “Come because you’re a foreigner.” We want this to be something that welcomes everyone. We absolutely don’t want it to be something only local people can do, or something that only we get to run.

We absolutely don’t want it to be like some mikoshi processions, where newcomers aren’t allowed to join. We want to welcome everyone who comes.

The music is gentle, too, so I think everyone will be able to dance at ease.

Finally, could you share a message for our readers?

Kameyama (honorific omitted)

I took part in the second event last year (2025).
I hadn’t been to the first one, so I joined from the second. I didn’t know any of the dances, and all I knew about the festival was that it was a Bon Odori.

But as time went by, more and more people gathered. When it was time for everyone to dance together at the end, I was filled with a real desire to hold hands with anyone and dance as much as I could. I’ve lived in Kurashiki all my life, but it made me realize all over again what a warm city Kurashiki is.

That’s why I sincerely hope the Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori continues for a long time, and I’d like people who have lived in Kurashiki for a long time, like me, to come, too.

When you live somewhere, you can gradually lose sight of what makes it special. I think some people also find it harder to see connections between people, so I especially hope they’ll come.

Akiba

I hope everyone will feel free to come and join in, even if they don’t know how to dance. The atmosphere is truly peaceful, and I think it’s a place where you can feel that peace and think about the future.

One more thing: this year, we’re planning support efforts for the Kumamoto earthquake (2026 Kumamoto Earthquake), such as setting out a donation box. People helped us when Kurashiki experienced a disaster (the July 2018 heavy rains), so we want to make sure we give back.

Above all, let’s enjoy ourselves together.

From the Writer

Akiba said, “I want the Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori to become an initiative that lasts 100 years.” No matter how long a festival’s history is, there must always be a first time, and I think it continues by changing with the times.

It’s only in its third year, but a system for ensuring it continues is taking shape. Even if you can’t attend this year, there’s the reassuring feeling that it will surely be held again next year.

We hope you’ll experience this peaceful Bon Odori.

How to dance at the Kurashiki Machinaka Bon Odori

If you’re planning to take part, be sure to watch the dance instruction video beforehand.

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