Echigo Bon Odori of Kojohama, Shiraoi: carrying the longing for home into the present
Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Kojohama area
- Area
- Hokkaido・Shiraoi Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · 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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/22
This local performing art of Shiraoi Town carries on the longing for home felt by people who moved from Niigata to Kojohama. It has been sung and danced for generations since around Meiji 40, and has been performed at local and lantern-floating events, among others.
About Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori
Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori is a local performing art passed down in the Kojohama area of Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido.
It is said that people who moved from Niigata Prefecture during the Meiji period kept dancing as they reminisced about their distant hometown.
The preservation association has performed at local Bon Odori, lantern-floating events, and the Jinya Festival, among others, helping pass on this local performing art.
It was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shiraoi Town in 2000.
Festival highlights
A highlight is how Bon Odori brought from Echigo has enlivened a range of local events.
The preservation association has performed the dance not only at the district’s Bon Odori, but also at lantern-floating events and the Jinya Festival.
Last fiscal year, it was also performed at “Bon Dance,” a program organized as part of the town’s cultural festival, school events, and an arts festival, showing how it continues as a local performing art.
The dancers and singers have also been recognized by Shiraoi Town as successors to traditional culture.
Source: 白老町の文化財一覧 - 北海道白老町
Echigo Bon Odori of Kojohama, Shiraoi: carrying the longing for home into the present
What to expect
At local events, dancers and singers from the preservation association have performed Echigo Bon Odori at local Bon Odori, lantern-floating events, and the Jinya Festival, among others.
Performances have taken place not only at local events but also at cultural festivals, school events, and programs associated with arts festivals.
Since its founding in 1990, the preservation association has performed at local events for 35 years and passed on this local performing art.
A 2025 article reported that the association was scheduled to disband at the end of March 2026, with the district neighborhood association federation set to take over Bon Odori and the lantern-floating event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kojohama area, Shiraoi Town
Source: PDF資料
Address Kojohama, Shiraoi Town
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 Hokkaido / Shiraoi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
アイヌ民族博物館
北海道白老郡白老町にあった博物館
写真：Abasaa / Public domain(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
ウポポイ
北海道白老町にある民族共生象徴空間の愛称
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
国立アイヌ民族博物館
北海道白老町にあるウポポイを構成する施設
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori
Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori has been sung and danced for generations since around Meiji 40 by people who moved from Kitakanbara District, Niigata Prefecture, to the Kojohama area.
Shiraoi Town’s cultural property materials say that “Shinbo Kōdaiji Odori” is believed to be its origin.
The Kojohama Echigo Dance Preservation Association was founded in 1990 and took responsibility for performances at local events and for passing on the tradition.
It was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shiraoi Town on October 3, 2000.
Official information
Shiraoi Town lists Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori in its cultural properties register as a town-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
It was designated on October 3, 2000. Its location is Kojohama, Shiraoi Town, and its owner and preserving organization are listed as the Kojohama Koshio Dance Preservation Association.
Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori at a Glance
Kojohama Echigo Bon Odori is a local performing art passed down through dance by people who moved from Niigata to Kojohama and longed for their hometown.
It is said to have been passed down since around Meiji 40, with “Shinbo Kōdaiji Odori” said to be its origin.
After its founding in 1990, the preservation association continued performing at Bon Odori, lantern-floating events, and the Jinya Festival, among others. In 2000, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shiraoi Town.
The 2026 event dates and whether the event will be held cannot be confirmed from this source.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/22
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