A Bon night in Ichihara, with Nembutsu dancing and Tessensen passed down through generations
Ichihara Bon Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- August 16 / Every year
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Kyoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)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
The Ichihara , passed down in Shizushi Ichihara, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. The Hamohā Dance, performed to pray for the spirits of the recently deceased, and Tessensen, originating in the early modern period, are both passed down on the same night.
About Ichihara Bon Odori
The Ichihara Bon Odori is a traditional Bon event passed down in Shizushi Ichihara, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.
The event consists of the Hamohā Dance, performed to pray for the spirits of the recently deceased, and Tessensen, a narrative-style dance that was popular in the early modern period.
The Hamohā Dance retains the old-fashioned movements of Nembutsu dancing, conveying the distinctive performing arts passed down in the local community.
It is recorded as an intangible folk cultural property, and the preservation group is the Ichihara Hamohā Amakochu.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 洛北の盆行事 ─市原ハモハ踊･鉄扇─ 記録編 | 京都の歴史と文化 映像ライブラリー
Festival highlights
The highlight is the Hamohā Dance, performed to the rhythm of a shime-daiko drum and a gong.
Dancers move both hands back and forth as they dance in a walking motion to the lead singer’s song, repeating simple, unhurried movements.
This is followed by Tessensen, performed to a narrative-style melody without instruments.
The event is also distinctive because it brings together Nembutsu dancing and a Bon dance from the early modern period.
Source: 京都市左京区役所：市原ハモハ踊・鉄扇
A Bon night in Ichihara, with Nembutsu dancing and Tessensen passed down through generations
What to expect
The event begins with Hyakumanben Nembutsu, associated with prayers for the spirits of the recently deceased, and a Buddhist prayer-bead ritual at a temple; the Bon dance follows.
In the Hamohā Dance, the dancers move to the lead singer’s song, gong, and shime-daiko drum.
This is followed by Tessensen, performed to a narrative-style melody; archival footage also shows the sequence continuing with Goshu Ondo.
Location and access
- Venue and address
In front of Kawashima Textile.
Event venue 京都府京都市 川島織物前
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
The Ichihara Bon Odori is held on the evening of August 16 each year.
The event moves from nenbutsu chanting and juzu-kuri, which are associated with memorial rites for newly departed spirits, to Bon Odori.
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 Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
京都タワー
京都府京都市下京区にある塔
京都国立博物館
京都市にある国立博物館
京都国立近代美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都国際マンガミュージアム
日本の京都府京都市中京区にある日本最大の漫画博物館
京都市美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都府立植物園
京都市左京区にある植物園
京都鉄道博物館
京都府京都市下京区にある鉄道博物館
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京都市伏見区にある神社
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Yasaka Shrine
京都市東山区にある神社
円山公園
京都市にある公園
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
京都市上京区にある神社
Origins and History of Ichihara Bon Odori
During the Meiji period, the Ichihara Hamohā Dance was a Bon dance performed after a mountain nearby was lit for the sending-off fires.
Hamohā is said to be a name derived from a folk pronunciation of the Nembutsu verses sung during the dance, indicating its connection to prayers for ancestors.
Tessensen has been passed down as a Bon dance that was popular in the early modern period, alongside the older Nembutsu dance.
In 2008, it was selected as a cultural property for its regional characteristics and its role in showing the evolution of performing arts.
Official information
The Sakyo Ward Office, Kyoto City, provides information on the “Ichihara Hamohā Dance and Tessensen,” including the event date, venue, dance program, and origins.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties introduces the distinctive features of the Hamohā Dance and Tessensen, as well as their selection as cultural properties, under “Ichihara Bon Odori.”
Ichihara Bon Odori at a Glance
The Ichihara Bon Odori is a traditional event in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, featuring the Hamohā Dance, performed to pray for the spirits of the recently deceased, and Tessensen, a dance passed down from the early modern period, when it was popular.
Simple dances accompanied by a shime-daiko drum and gong are followed by Tessensen, performed to a narrative-style melody.
It is held on the evening of August 16 each year, and the area in front of Kawashima Textile is listed as the venue.
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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