A summer night in Niino, sending off the spirits through song and circle dances
Niino Bon Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Held every year mainly from August 14 through the early morning of the 17th, with dancing also taking place on August 24. / Every year
- Location
- The streets of Honmachi and Higashimachi in the Niino district
- Area
- Nagano Prefecture・Anan(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 50 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
At the Niino , the singers’ calls and the dancers’ responses—not instrumental music—resound through the streets at night. From circle dances around the Ondo platform to the procession for sending off the spirits, this event traces the Bon beliefs and performing arts passed down in Niino, Anan.
About Niino Bon Odori
The Niino Bon Odori is a Bon observance passed down in Niino, Anan, Nagano Prefecture.
Without instrumental accompaniment such as shamisen or drums, people dance from night until the following morning to the singers’ calls and the dancers’ responses.
The tradition preserves the process of sending off the spirits welcomed during Bon through dance and procession, and is deeply connected to local beliefs and daily life.
The event is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is also listed as one of the “Furyu Odori” in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
One highlight is the distinctive dance form: participants make a long, large circle around the Ondo platform and pass the song from one to another as they dance.
Seven dances have been passed down: “Sukuisa,” “Ondo,” “Takai Yama,” “Osama,” “Jūroku,” “Oyama,” and “Noto.” Some are danced with fans, while others use hand movements.
In the early morning of the final day, a procession carrying kiriko lanterns moves forward, accompanied by wasan chants and the sounds of gongs and drums, to send off the spirits.
Another distinctive scene is the burning of lanterns at the district boundary, after which people return singing “Akiuta.”
A summer night in Niino, sending off the spirits through song and circle dances
What to expect
Each night, the dancing begins with “Sukuisa,” followed by several dances that alternate throughout the night.
At the Ondo platform, the singer begins a song, and the dancers slowly move around in a circle, responding with the lyrics.
On the 14th, a ritual is held at Ichigami-sama. On the night of the 16th, kiriko lanterns are brought from households observing their first Bon since a death in the family.
In the early morning of the 17th, a procession carrying lanterns heads to a shrine to send off the spirits.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The streets of Honmachi and Higashimachi in the Niino district, Anan, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture.
The Ondo platform is set up in front of Ichigami-sama, near the center of the street.
Address The streets of Honmachi and Higashimachi in the Niino district, Anan, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture
Dates and season
Typically, dancing takes place on the night of the 16th, starting on August 14, followed by the sending-off of the spirits early on the morning of the 17th.
On August 24, a Bon Odori called “Kakushi Bon” or “Uraa,” featuring dancing only, also takes place from night until the following morning.
Source: 新野の盆踊り | 南信州民俗芸能ナビ
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Tips for your visit
The dancing continues from night until the following morning, so plan your clothing and breaks with the long viewing period in mind.
The venue is a street lined with shops, and the dance circle and procession move along it.
The rites and procession for sending off the spirits are important local observances, so it is important to watch quietly from a place that does not obstruct them.
Lanterns are burned as part of the event, so stay away from the fire and follow local instructions.
Nearby attractions
安倍神像神社
長野県下伊那郡阿南町にある神社
Origins and History of Niino Bon Odori
According to tradition, the Niino Bon Odori began in 1529, when people from the area with ties to Zuikōin danced in celebration of the temple’s founding.
One of the dances, “Osama,” is said to derive from a word meaning “reverend monk.”
Over many years, the call-and-response between the singers and dancers, the observances for welcoming and sending off the spirits, and the seven dances have been passed down in the community.
It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1998.
Official information
Please check the official information about the Niino Bon Odori provided by Anan Town.
Niino Bon Odori at a Glance
The Niino Bon Odori is a Bon observance held in the streets of Niino, Anan, where people dance through the night to songs without instrumental accompaniment.
From circle dances around the Ondo platform to processions carrying kiriko lanterns, the tradition of welcoming and sending off the spirits of Bon has been passed down.
Visitors can experience a range of local cultural traditions as part of one continuous event, including the seven dances, “Noto,” wasan chants, and the lantern procession.
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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