The Gujō Odori Dance Festival in Gifu ranks among Japan’s top three traditional Bon Dance festivals. Recognized as a Significant Intangible Cultural Folk Asset by the Japanese government, it was also added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2022.
What happens?
If dancing in the moonlight sounds like your kind of night, don’t miss the Gujō Odori Dance Festival in Gujō Hachiman, Gifu’s charming riverside town.
From July 13 to September 7, 2024, this historic event sees the town come alive with vibrant dance and music, continuing a tradition that’s been celebrated for over 400 years.
Each evening, locals gather in yukata to perform a series of traditional dances that are easy to learn and fun to join. The festival is particularly famous for its all-night dances, which happen four times during the Obon season in mid-August. These nights see the town buzzing with energy as dancers of all ages move to the rhythm of taiko drums and shamisen.
Worried you’ve got two left feet? The Gujō Hachiman Hakurankan offers daily dance lessons at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m., with extra classes at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends. Each lesson lasts 15 minutes, and admission is ¥520 for adults and ¥310 for children.
Schedule 2024
The opening night dance performance begins on July 13 at 8 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. The main all-night dance events take place on August 13, 14, 15, and 16 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. (if you can stay awake that long). The closing night dance performance is on September 7 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
For the complete schedule of nightly dances, check the official website.
How to get there
From Tokyo
From Tokyo, there are several ways to get to Gifu and Gujō.
- Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station (about 1 hour 40 minutes).
- Transfer to the JR Hida Limited Express from Nagoya Station to Gifu Station (about 20 minutes).
- At Gifu Station, switch to the Nagaragawa Railway and take the train to Gujō Hachiman Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
- Finally, take a local bus from Gujō Hachiman Station to the center of Gujō Hachiman (about 10 minutes).
You can also take a highway bus from Tokyo to Gifu Station (about 5 hours 30 minutes) and then continue with the above route. Alternatively, you can drive. Take the Tomei Expressway and continue onto the Meishin Expressway towards Nagoya. At Nagoya, switch to the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway and follow the signs to Gujō Hachiman (total driving time is about 5 hours).
From Osaka
- Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya Station (about 50 minutes).
- Transfer to the JR Hida Limited Express from Nagoya Station to Gifu Station (about 20 minutes).
- At Gifu Station, switch to the Nagaragawa Railway and take the train to Gujō Hachiman Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
- Finally, take a local bus from Gujō Hachiman Station to the center of Gujō Hachiman (about 10 minutes).
You can also take a highway bus from Osaka to Gifu Station and follow the above route. If you have a car, you can take the Meishin Expressway towards Nagoya and switch to the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway and follow the signs to Gujō Hachiman (total driving time is about 3 hours).
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
