See yōkai, strange and unusual spirits from Japanese folklore, brought to life at the annual Tachikawa Yōkai Bon Odori.
What happens?
Join a traditional Bon Odori dance but with a supernatural twist. Taking place a couple of weeks before Halloween, this three-day festival sees participants become yōkai and dance to their heart’s content. Everyone is welcome to dress up — do you see yourself as a kappa? A tengu? A kitsune?
Held in Tachikawa in October, this event also features live music performances, spectacular concerts, DJ performances, a costume contest, and delicious food stalls. Don’t miss this whirlwind Bon Odori event unlike any other in Japan.
Entry and tickets
There will be both free and paid areas.
Ticketed areas
The ticketed area costs ¥3,955 for one day or ¥11,300 for all three days if you get your tickets using the English website. Tickets on the Japanese website are slightly cheaper (due to website charges) at ¥3,500 for one day and ¥10,000 for three days, but you’ll need a Japanese phone number. Alternatively, you can buy tickets on the day for ¥4,000.
With these tickets, you get access to live performances from Takkyu Ishino, TOWA TEI, and more, as well as the lively Yōkai Bon Odori Dance event.
Dress code for the ticketed areas:
The dress code may involve leaving your human self at the door and transforming into a fully-fledged supernatural being. You need to wear one of the following:
Free areas
There are several spots that are open to all, including a yōkai disco, retail area, food trucks, a wedding ceremony with a twist (Kitsune no Yomeiri), and a nighttime yōkai parade known as Hyakkiyako.
Enjoy classic matsuri food like yakisoba and shaved ice. There will also be performances featuring traditional festival music and a unique yōkai street performance corner.
How to get there
The venue, the second-floor plaza of Green Springs, is only a 5-minute walk from JR Tachikawa Station. You can get to Tachikawa directly from both Shinjuku Station (just under 30 minutes) and Tokyo Station (around 40 minutes) via the Chuo Line.
