Hiyamaji’s Bon dance, passed down through song and the sound of fans
Hiyamaji Bon Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Hiyamaji area
- Area
- Oita Prefecture・Nakatsu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 35 min–1 h 55 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Dancers follow the singing and beat their fans like drums at the Hiyamaji . This traditional Bon dance, passed down in the Hiyamaji area of Yabakei, Nakatsu City, is associated with memorial rites for the recently deceased.
About Hiyamaji Bon Odori
The Hiyamaji Bon Odori is a Bon dance passed down in the Hiyamaji area of Yabakei, Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture.
It is known for its many types of dances, each with a long history.
Dancers perform without instruments, following the lead singer’s voice.
It continues to be passed down as a local Bon event associated with memorial rites for the recently deceased.
Source: 樋山路盆踊り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The main highlight is that the circle of dancers moves to the lead singer’s voice alone, without drums or flutes.
Dancers hold fans and make a sound by striking them against their hands or knees.
Along with the distinctive practice of using fans in place of drums, dances derived from work songs, such as Senbon Tsuki and Sushi Oshi, are also passed down.
Hiyamaji’s Bon dance, passed down through song and the sound of fans
What to expect
Dancers form a circle and dance while striking their fans in time with the lead singer’s voice.
There are 13 dances in the tradition, including not only old Bon dance songs but also dances adapted from work songs and popular songs.
In the past, dancers visited and performed at each household observing its first after a death. Today, joint memorial dances are also held, organized mainly by the preservation society.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Hiyamaji area, Yabakei, Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture.
Address Hiyamaji area, Yabakei, Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Oita Prefecture / Nakatsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
中津城
大分県中津市にあった城
中津市歴史博物館
大分県中津市にある博物館
大江医家史料館
大分県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
村上医家史料館
大分県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
耶馬渓風物館
大分県中津市にある展示館
Origins and History of Hiyamaji Bon Odori
The year the Hiyamaji Bon Odori began is unknown, but it has been passed down as a Bon dance with a long history.
Until around Showa 30, dancers would visit and perform at each household observing its first Obon after a death.
In response to the burden on dancers and the households receiving memorial services, as well as the aging population, joint memorial dances organized mainly by the Bon Dance Preservation Society also came to be held.
Hiyamaji Bon Odori at a Glance
The Hiyamaji Bon Odori is a traditional Bon dance passed down in the Hiyamaji area of Yabakei, Nakatsu City.
The 13 dances are passed down without instruments, accompanied by the lead singer’s voice and the sound of fans being struck.
This local event is associated with memorial rites for the recently deceased and is passed down mainly by the preservation society.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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