Taking place at the very central Hibiya Park, this is one of Tokyo’s most accessible and largest Bon Odori (bon dance) festivals.
What happens?
A diverse range of participants (40,000 are expected) — from employees of businesses in the Marunouchi area and local residents through to tourists — dance in circles around the central fountain to the “Marunouchi Ondo”.
The Marunouchi Ondo (Marunouchi song) was composed in 1932 by Yaso Saijo and Shinpei Nakayama, and is the basis of the most famous Bon Odori song, “Tokyo Ondo.”
Schedule
The Bon Odori takes place over the weekend (Aug. 25 to 26) from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The World Beer Cup will also be held from Aug. 24 to 27.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.