Shirotori’s Bon dance, passed down beneath kiriko lanterns to singing and the sound of geta
Shirotori Haiden Odori
The 2026 edition of Shirotori Odori has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/09 〜 2026/09/20Ended
- Season / frequency
- From July to September / Every year
- Location
- Shrines in various districts of Shirotori Town (including Nagataki Hakusan Shrine, Maetani Hakusan Shrine, Shirotori Shrine, and Nozoe Kibune Shrine)
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Gujo City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting 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
Beneath the glow of kiriko lanterns, dancers form a circle for Shirotori Haiden Odori, moving to nothing but singing, clapping, and the sound of geta. A traditional performing art passed down in Shirotori Town, Gujo City, and designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
About Shirotori Haiden Odori
Shirotori Haiden Odori is a handed down in Shirotori Town, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture, and is performed in a shrine’s haiden.
A defining feature is the dancers forming a circle beneath the kiriko lanterns hanging in the haiden, dancing to nothing but singing, clapping, and the sound of their geta striking the floor.
Passed down as a local folk performing art connected with Hakusan worship, it was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2025.
Source: 「白鳥の拝殿踊」の国重要無形民俗文化財指定の答申について | 郡上市 Gujo City / 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
Highlights include the large kiriko lanterns glowing with a soft light and the people dancing in a single circle beneath them.
Without accompaniment such as shamisen, flute, or drums, the haiden rings with singing, clapping, and the sound of geta.
Because dancers take turns serving as the lead singer, songs without a designated opening singer can give rise to spontaneous exchanges unique to the occasion.
Source: 「白鳥の拝殿踊り」江戸時代より続く盆踊りの元祖！【TABITABI郡上】
Shirotori’s Bon dance, passed down beneath kiriko lanterns to singing and the sound of geta
What to expect
The dance begins as people gather in the shrine’s haiden (worship hall) and form a circle beneath kiriko lanterns.
Rather than being led by a single designated singer, dancers take turns singing as everyone dances to clapping and the sound of geta sandals.
The dances include “Basho Odori,” “Essassa,” and “Gensuke-san,” among others. They are the same dances as those performed at Shirotori Odori, but without musical accompaniment.
How to take part
This event welcomes members of the public to join the circle of dancers.
Visitors from outside the prefecture take part too, and it is described as something people of all ages can enjoy alongside local residents.
Another distinctive feature is its welcoming atmosphere: the lead singer is not fixed, and anyone can take the lead, including visitors from outside the prefecture.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The event takes place at shrines in various districts of Shirotori Town, mainly in Shirotori, Shirotori Town, Gujo City. The 2026 Shirotori Haiden Odori, designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, was listed as scheduled to take place at Nagataki Hakusan Shrine, Maetani Hakusan Shrine, Shirotori Shrine, Nozoe Kibune Shrine, and other venues.
- By car
About 5 minutes toward the city center from Shirotori IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
- Parking
Listed as having 500 spaces, free of charge.
Source: 白鳥おどり｜観光スポット｜岐阜県観光公式サイト 「岐阜の旅ガイド」
Address Shirotori, Shirotori Town, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The full 2026 Shirotori Odori program was listed for July 9 through September 20.
Of these events, the Shirotori Haiden Odori, designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, takes place on July 9, August 16, the 17th and 20th, and September 20—5 days in total.
The venues are shrines in various districts of Shirotori Town, and the event runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., regardless of the day of the week.
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 Gifu Prefecture / Gujo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Nearby Shirotori Town attractions include Nagataki Hakusan Shrine and Choryuji Temple, the Hakusan Culture Museum, Roadside Station Seiryu no Sato Shirotori, and Seiryu Nagara River Ayu Park.
Nagataki Hakusan Shrine and Choryuji Temple, which have close ties to Shirotori Haiden Odori, are presented as places where visitors can experience the history of Hakusan worship.
For peace of mind, check opening status and visitor information before your visit.
郡上八幡博覧館
日本の岐阜県郡上市にある博物館
郡上八幡城
岐阜県郡上市の城
Origins and History of Shirotori Haiden Odori
The exact origin of haiden odori has not been established, but it is said to have been danced during the Bon season since around the middle of the Edo period.
A record from 1723 (Kyoho 8), held by Nagataki Hakusan Shrine, notes that a letter arrived prohibiting dancing at the shrine during Bon, suggesting that people were already dancing in the grounds at that time.
While many forms of haiden odori once found across a wide area have died out, Shirotori Haiden Odori has been passed down by a preservation society and local residents.
Official information
Event information is available on the Shirotori Tourism Association’s official website.
The 2026 Shirotori Odori information also lists the dates of the Shirotori Haiden Odori, designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Designation information is available in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.
Shirotori Haiden Odori at a Glance
Shirotori Haiden Odori is a traditional Bon dance from Shirotori Town, Gujo City, performed to singing, clapping, and the sound of geta sandals beneath kiriko lanterns.
In 2026, a 5-day event at shrines throughout Shirotori Town was listed for July through September.
Visitors can join the dance circle, not just watch, and experience this local tradition up close.
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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