Koyanose Bon Odori

Koyanose is a traditional Bon dance held during the Obon season in the Koyanose district of Yahatanishi Ward, Kitakyushu. The dance takes place in front of homes observing their first Obon since a family member’s death, accompanied by shamisen and drums. Also called Shukuba Odori, it is an event that evokes Koyanose’s history and community ties.

About Koyanose Bon Odori

Koyanose Bon Odori is a Bon dance passed down in the Koyanose district of Yahatanishi Ward, Kitakyushu.

It is held as an annual event in Koyanose during the Obon season in August.

It is designated as a municipal intangible folk cultural property and carefully preserved as a Bon dance passed down in the community.

Source: 木屋瀬の主な年間行事 - 北九州市 / 無形民俗文化財 - 北九州市

Festival highlights

Highlights of Koyanose Bon Odori include dances passed down in Koyanose and the local Obon scene created by the sound of shamisen and drums.

Dancers wear or outfits reminiscent of Edo-period travel attire; men are said to wear sandogasa hats and women tsumaori-gasa hats.

Enjoy a dance closely connected to Koyanose’s historic streetscape.

Source: ふくおか祭前線〈筑前木屋瀬宿場まつり〉｜グラフふくおか2026秋号

A Koyanose Bon dance that keeps the memories of the post town alive through shamisen and drums

What to expect

Koyanose Bon Odori is held from August 13 through the 15th in front of homes observing their first Obon since a family member’s death.

Dancers move to the sound of shamisen and drums, carrying on a local Bon festival tradition.

The event is not held in a single open square; it takes place at multiple locations within the Koyanose district, including in front of homes observing their first Obon since a family member’s death.

Location and access

Venue and address

It is held in front of homes observing their first Obon since a family member’s death in the Koyanose district of Yahatanishi Ward, Kitakyushu.

There is no single venue.

Source: 祭り|北九州市時と風の博物館

Address Koyanose district, Yahatanishi Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season: Every year, from August 13 through the 15th
Frequency: Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Fukuoka Prefecture / Kitakyushu (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Photo and data sources

写真：そらみみ (Soramimi) / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Origins and History of Koyanose Bon Odori

Koyanose Bon Odori is a Bon dance passed down in Koyanose, commonly known as Shukuba Odori.

Koyanose once flourished as a post town along the Nagasaki Kaido. It is said that Shukuba Odori spread after townspeople incorporated gestures and calls from the attendants in daimyo processions into Ise Ondo, which they had learned on pilgrimages to Ise.

Today, it is designated as an intangible folk cultural property by the prefecture under the name Koyanose Bon Odori.

Official information

Kitakyushu lists Koyanose Bon Odori as one of the main annual events in Koyanose.

It is also listed as a prefecture-designated cultural property in Kitakyushu’s list of intangible folk cultural properties.

For details on the dates and venues, check the event information from Koyanose-juku.