A summer circle dance passed down to the beat of Hiruzen lanterns and taiko
Omiya Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Usually held throughout Hiruzen mainly during the Bon period in August, from July through September
- Location
- Fukuda Shrine and other shrines, temples, and roadside halls throughout Hiruzen
- Area
- Okayama Prefecture・Maniwa City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 10 min–3 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
At various places across the Hiruzen Highlands, circles of dancers form beneath for the Ōmiya Odori. Its unhurried ondo and , along with the costumed Tenko who appear toward the end, convey the character of a passed down through the community.
About Omiya Odori
The Omiya Odori is a Bon dance passed down at the foot of the Hiruzen Highlands in northern Okayama Prefecture.
Mainly during the Bon period in August, the dance moves from day to day among local shrines, temples, and roadside halls, with people of all ages taking part.
Fukuda Shrine in Yatsuka Village is called “Omiya-sama,” and its name gave rise to the name of this dance.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
A large lantern is suspended above the center of the dancing area, with dancers forming a circle beneath it.
The chant leader and taiko drummer stand inside the circle. Dancers move to the unhurried singing and taiko, stamping the floor in geta sandals.
The masked “Tenko,” who appears toward the end, is another major highlight, adding color to the event with distinctive gestures.
A summer circle dance passed down to the beat of Hiruzen lanterns and taiko
What to expect
At the venue, dancers form a circle and dance to chants such as “Aoi” and “Shisshi.”
There are 3 dance steps: “Aoi,” “Shisshi,” and “Maneki.” The combinations of chants and dances are also distinctive.
Toward the end of the dance, a character called Tenko appears, performing masked antics and gestures that imitate the union of men and women.
How to take part
There is information indicating that members of the general public can take part.
Around Fukuda Shrine on August 15, 2026, the Omiya Odori held after the fireworks is described as open to anyone who wants to join.
If you join the circle, enjoy the dance by following the flow of the event and the other dancers.
Around Fukuda Shrine on August 15, 2026, the Omiya Odori takes place after the fireworks, and visitors can join spontaneously.
No information is provided about advance registration; instead, the information indicates that people join the dance at the venue on the day.
As details may change depending on the schedule or weather, please follow the venue’s instructions when participating.
Source: ひるぜん花火大会｜花火の後には「大宮踊」も！ | ManiColle / 【2026年】大宮踊｜スポット｜岡山観光WEB【公式】- 岡山県の観光・旅行情報ならココ！
Location and access
- Venue and address
Fukuda Shrine (Nakafukuda, Hiruzen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture).
The Omiya Odori is also held at shrines, temples, and roadside halls throughout Hiruzen.
- By car
Fukuda Shrine is about 10 minutes from Hiruzen IC on the Yonago Expressway.
Address Nakafukuda, Hiruzen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture
Dates and season
The Omiya Odori is usually held on different days in various parts of Hiruzen, mainly during the Bon period.
In 2026, it begins at Tokuyama Shrine on July 18, with events held in various locations from August 13 through the 19th. Information also indicates that it will be danced at local elementary and junior high schools, among other places, in September.
At Fukuda Shrine, one of the main venues, it is scheduled for August 15 and the 17th.
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 Okayama Prefecture / Maniwa City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The 2026 schedule may change, and the event may be canceled due to weather.
The Omiya Odori is held on different days at various shrines, temples, and roadside halls, so it is best to check your intended venue and date in advance.
Around Fukuda Shrine, the dance begins after the fireworks.
Nearby attractions
ヒルゼン高原センター
岡山県真庭市にあるレジャー施設
Origins and History of Omiya Odori
The Omiya Odori is a Bon dance passed down in the villages at the foot of the Hiruzen Highlands.
It is said to have preserved traditional folk customs particularly well in an area where transport was once inconvenient.
It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1997 and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as one of the “Furyu-odori” dances.
Official information
Okayama Kanko WEB, Okayama Prefecture’s official tourism information site, provides an overview of the Omiya Odori, its 2026 schedule, venue locations, and driving directions.
Information about its cultural property designation and inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list can also be checked in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.
Omiya Odori at a Glance
The Omiya Odori is a traditional Bon dance in which local people form a circle at shrines, temples, and roadside halls in Hiruzen.
Its distinctive highlights include unhurried chants and taiko, large lanterns, and the masked Tenko.
In 2026, events are scheduled in various locations mainly from July through August. At Fukuda Shrine, it is listed for August 15 and the 17th.
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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