Bon Odori is a traditional summer dance festival held during Obon, a Buddhist custom to commemorate one's ancestors. This particular festival, one of the biggest in Tokyo, will be held right outside Nakano Station.
Unlike most Bon Odori festivities in Tokyo which take place in the early evening, this Nakano event has an early start at around 10am with a series of music and dance performances. However, the main attraction only begins at 4pm, featuring celebrity guests and DJs playing J-pop tunes.
You can expect a lot of traditional dance sessions, where you’ll learn the classic Bon Odori choreography. But what we're really looking forward to is doing the Japanese dance to modern pop songs, just like last year's Bon Jovi ('Living on a Prayer') and Abba ('Dancing Queen').
Everyone is welcome to join in the Nakano Bon Odori Festival and it’s free.