Five years after the July 2018 torrential rains, the 14th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival was held in grand style in Mabi, Kurashiki City.
This was the second festival since the torrential-rain disaster and the first in four years.
Here’s a look at the festival, brimming with energy and hopes for recovery.
The information in this article was current when it was published in July 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Overview of the 14th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival
The Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival is a summer festival held in Mabi, Kurashiki City, and this was its 14th edition.
The highlight is a dance along Makibi-dori, featuring around 1,000 participants from local communities, businesses, schools, and other groups.
The festival had to be canceled in 2018 because of the torrential-rain disaster, but it was held in 2019, overcoming the disaster.
However, it was canceled again for three years, from 2020 to 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around 6,000 people attended this year’s festival, its first in four years, and the venue was bustling with activity.
Get into the summer festival spirit with food stalls and stage events
At 2 p.m., a variety of stage events began, including taiko drumming, hula dancing, and wind band performances.
The instruments played by the Mabi Bamboo Orchestra are made from bamboo, a specialty of Mabi.
Nostalgic melodies such as “Galaxy Express 999” and “My Neighbor Totoro” rang out to enthusiastic applause.
More than 30 food stalls were set up by shops and organizations from the Mabi-Funao area.
Alongside festival favorites such as shaved ice, yakisoba, and traditional fairground games, visitors could buy local specialties including bamboo-shoot croquettes, toys made from bamboo, and muscat wine.
Seeing so many people enjoying food and drinks in their own way, I felt that another part of everyday life had returned.
The spectacular Senzairaku
The Senzairaku was presented for the first time at this year’s festival.
Senzairaku is the name for a type of float in southern Okayama Prefecture. It has a taiko drum inside and a roof made of stacked futons.
The Senzairaku floats from three districts in Mabi, which usually appear at local autumn festivals, gathered on Makibi-dori especially for the occasion.
I learned about Senzairaku for the first time that day. The powerful sound of the drums and the sight of the floats moving forward majestically as people sang were so impressive that I was overwhelmed watching them up close.
More than 1,000 people join the dance
At last, it was time for the grand finale dance.
Twenty-one teams took part.
People of all ages, from children to seniors, joined in, along with seven teams participating for the first time, bringing the venue to life.
Dancers in brightly colored happi coats and yukata moved along Makibi-dori, dancing and calling out “Hore, hore, dokkoisho!” with great energy.
Some teams even dressed up as Kibi no Makibi or dinosaurs, drawing laughter and cheers from the spectators lining the route.
The lyrics of the dance song “Hitotodori in Mabi and Funao” invite people to “come on over, come and see, join in, and give the dance a try.” If watching makes you want to dance, you can jump right in!
I joined the line of people jumping in, which kept getting longer, and danced too.
You don’t need to know the moves—just follow along as best you can.
More than 50 people joined in spontaneously, dancing with big smiles.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the dance went on for an hour and a half, with more than 1,000 participants dancing to the end. By then, it was completely dark, and the venue was filled with excitement and a sense of togetherness.
From the Writer
Over the five years since the July 2018 torrential rains, Mabi has moved forward step by step with support for both its material and emotional recovery.
Through this year’s festival, I hope people could see how much energy has returned to Mabi today—more than at the festival four years ago.
Taking part in the dance for the first time also made me realize that this festival is more than just a celebration: it is a place for exchange across generations and for connecting with the community.
I hope the Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival will continue to connect Mabi with its residents, those who have moved away, and visitors, and inspire them to feel an even stronger attachment to the town.
14th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival Information
| Name | 14th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, July 15, 2023, 2 p.m.–8:30 p.m. |
| Location | 1141-1 Yata, Mabi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free |
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