Copyright: Yokote City Tourism Association 

Characteristics

The Yokote Citizens’ Bon Dance primarily takes place around August 15th and 16th, although related ceremonies occur earlier in the year.

1. Nemuri Nagashi 

(Annual Date: August 6th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Jyanosaki Bridge/Riverbed)

This ceremony takes place about one week prior to the main Okuribon events, traditionally as a Tanabata rite. Smaller boats, distinct from the main Yakatabune, are built, and children from local districts float them down the Jyanosaki Riverbed.

2. Citizens' Bon Odori 

(Annual Date: August 15th, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Festival Plaza in front of Yokote City Hall)

Held on the 15th as part of the Okuribon events, this group dance started in the early Showa period. Approximately 500 people form a large dance circle at the City Hall plaza.

The performances include the Yokote Bon Odori, Yokote Ondo, and Donpan Bushi. The Yokote Bon Odori is said to be a unique tradition of the Yokote region. Yakata-bune are also lined up near the dance circle, allowing spectators to view them up close. The musicians (Hayashikata) are the same who accompany the Okuribon boat floats (Yokote Hayashi), though here they perform only the Bon Odori music.

3. Roofed Boat Procession and Boat Collision

(Annual Date: August 16th, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM, Jyanosaki Bridge and Riverbed)

This is the central event of the festival. As evening approaches, roughly 12 Yakatabune built in each district are carried by about 15 to 16 young men with Takahari Chochin (tall paper lanterns). They cross the Jyanosaki Bridge and head towards the riverbed.

These boats are substantial, weighing around 700 kg and measuring about 7.5 meters in length.

The procession is always accompanied by the Sai Sai Hayashi, who vigorously cheer and raise the excitement of the festival.

After completing the memorial service at the riverbed, the boats proceed to the Jyanosaki Bridge, where they engage in fierce competition (Funabutsuke/Gekitotsu) repeatedly. This powerful boat collision is considered the main highlight of the festival.

Direct Voices from Ryosuke Koda

The roofed boat procession and boat collision at this festival were shocking. I had thought that festival props were usually treated as sacred objects and carried with great care. In this festival, items crafted for the event are used in a potentially destructive manner. I wonder if they were made to be destroyed, but an interview with someone involved in boat-building for over 60 years revealed his wish for the festival to conclude without damage to the boat. This made me feel the nature of the sacred objects intertwines with the festival's destructiveness. Furthermore, I sensed this festival incorporates a section for children, making it something familiar to local people from childhood. Linking the boat-building activity, which children can participate in from a young age, with the impactful events of the roofed boat procession and boat collision to the Bon dance, a familiar event in Japan, shows the inclusiveness of this event. It likely plays a role in shaping the identity of the entire community.

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