The spirit of Kitsuki’s Bon season carried on through drumbeats and a gentle circular dance
Kitsuki Bon Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- August 13 to around the 16th
- Area
- Oita Prefecture・Kitsuki 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Kitsuki is a traditional event in Kitsuki City, danced around a to the sound of drums and the lead singer’s song. The tradition continues to carry on the spirit of honoring ancestors and to serve as a place for community interaction.
About Kitsuki Bon Odori
Kitsuki Bon Odori is a traditional Bon dance passed down in the former Kitsuki City area of Kitsuki, Oita Prefecture.
The basic form is simple, with drums as the sole accompaniment, and it is said to have been performed since before the Edo period.
Although it is a form of entertainment, it retains a strong connection to honoring ancestors and making offerings for the first after a death, and also serves as a place for people in the community to interact.
Source: 杵築盆踊り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
A highlight is the circular dance, with the dancers moving clockwise around the yagura.
The only accompaniment is drums, with the lead singer’s song overlapping the dancers’ chants.
Compared with Yamaga Odori, the tempo is slower, and dancers move with graceful, flowing gestures.
The spirit of Kitsuki’s Bon season carried on through drumbeats and a gentle circular dance
What to expect
During the dance, a lead singer sings from atop a yagura or another raised platform, while the dancers form a circle.
When the lead singer changes, linking phrases keep the song going without a break; phrases marking the transition are also inserted when changing dances.
The event is currently described as including a break and ending after about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Afterward, there may also be a raffle using numbers on fans or a gift exchange.
Location and access
- Address
Kitsuki City
Host municipality 大分県杵築市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
- Season
August 13 to around the 16th
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 / Kitsuki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Origins and History of Kitsuki Bon Odori
Kitsuki Bon Odori is said to be a historic Bon dance that has continued since before the Edo period.
In the past, dances such as the Kannon dance, Jizo dance, and Hassaku dance were also performed, but today it is mainly passed down as an event held in each community.
In recent years, the aging of kouta singers and residents has made it difficult for some communities to pass the tradition on.
Kitsuki Bon Odori at a Glance
Kitsuki Bon Odori is a traditional Bon dance passed down in the former Kitsuki City area.
It is characterized by drum-centered music and a circular dance that slowly moves around the yagura.
While carrying on the spirit of honoring ancestors and making offerings for the first Obon after a death, the event also serves as a place for interaction among residents of the community.
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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