Ohara Festival in Shibuya

In Japan, usually festivals are held in summer, but in May 18th, "The Ohara Festival" was held in Shibuya Tokyo jumped ahead.

To have "The Ohara Festival" in Shibuya. Around the scramble crossing and 109 department,
center of Shibuya was closed to have a big parade.
People wore Yukata and Happi, and dancing the Bon dance on the road. Festival showed a large swelling.

The "Ohara Festival" is a festival originally held in Kagoshima Prefecture in the southern Japan.
In Kagoshima Prefecture, several festivals were held, but after World War 2,
most of the festivals were disappeared because of the damage.

Four years after WW2, a festival had been started in Kagoshima, with the citizen's burning soul of the reconstruction and to cerebrate 60 years anniversary of Kagoshima city.
This is "The Ohara Festival."

It has been 17 years since the first "The Ohara Festival" in Shibuya was held.
In Shibuya's "The Ohara Festival", various groups performs different type of the Bon dance to compete which one is the best.

People can see the dance, and can hear a variety of songs,
so people who didn't know that it's a festival stops by and enjoy the sight opening in front.

Although Japan is a small country, there are difference in between areas in their characteristics.
The people born in Kyushu area, which Kagoshima is located, have power and strong in drinking.
Just as their said characteristics, they performed powerful and energetic dancing.

Visitors to Shibuya on this day must be enjoyed the sound of drums and heat of Bon dance.
You can check the photos for this Ohara Festival at the official website.
Please take a look and try to feel the energy.