Join the Daijingu Bon Odori Festival 2024: A Free, Family-Friendly Summer Event
On August 7th (Wednesday) and 8th (Thursday), the "Daijingu Bon Odori Festival 2024" will be held in the grounds of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. The local folk song association will give lessons so everyone can enjoy dancing. We invite foreign tourists to join this traditional Japanese summer event, "Bon Odori." Participation is free, and children are welcome.
Discover the Unique Bon Odori Tradition at Tokyo Daijingu: Over 50 Years of History and Festivities
This is the only Bon Odori event around Iidabashi, and it has a history of over 50 years. Every year, it attracts many children and local residents. In addition to classic songs like "Tanko Bushi" and "Tokyo Ondo," new songs have also been added, making the variety of dances a key attraction. The drums are performed live by groups such as Fujimi School's Fujimi Wanpaku Drummers, Ichijo Drummers, and Akiyama Society. There will also be stalls selling beer and local foods, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of a Japanese festival fully.
Bon Odori is a traditional event in Japan where we welcome the spirits of our ancestors during the Obon period, spend time with them, and then send them off. It is a solemn event with a history of about 500 years, dating back to the Muromachi period. Besides honoring ancestors, Bon Odori also serves as a means of community interaction. The "Awa Odori" performed at the Kagurazaka Matsuri (Festival) from July 24th to 27th, 2024, is also a form of Bon Odori.
Tokyo Daijingu: From Remote Worship Hall to the Birthplace of Shinto Weddings
The venue for the Bon Odori, Tokyo Daijingu, was originally the remote worship hall for the Ise Grand Shrine's Inner Shrine. A remote worship hall is a place built for those who cannot travel to Mie Prefecture to still pay their respects to Ise Grand Shrine. This is why Tokyo Daijingu is called the "Ise Shrine of Tokyo."
In 1900, when Tokyo Daijingu was still in Hibiya, the wedding ceremony of Crown Prince Yoshihito (later Emperor Taisho) was held at the Imperial Palace. To commemorate the first imperial wedding ceremony held before the deities within the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Daijingu pioneered Shinto weddings for the general public. Due to this history and frequent features on TV and in magazines as a shrine for matchmaking, Tokyo Daijingu is popular among women and foreign tourists as a power spot for love.
Enhance Your Bon Odori Experience with Strolling, Izakayas, and Geisha Bars in Kagurazaka
On June 8, 2024, the officially recognized Ise antenna shop "ISEMISE" opened at Tokyo Daijingu, selling food and goods produced by businesses in Ise City. "ISEMISE" is open from 10 AM to 7 PM, so you can enjoy shopping before the Bon Odori.
Tokyo Daijingu is about a 3-minute walk from Ushigome Gomon (Gate), the starting point of Kagurazaka. Why not enjoy a stroll through the charming streets of Kagurazaka, visit izakayas, or experience geisha bars before or after the Bon Odori Festival? It will surely make your summer in Japan more enjoyable.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
It's amaizing that such an authentic shrine is in the heart of Tokyo!