Morioka Sansa Odori
Festival Matsuri Summer · Early August

Morioka Sansa Odori

Morioka · Iwate · Tohoku

Running from August 1–4 each year, Morioka Sansa Odori holds a Guinness World Record for the largest taiko drum parade. Tens of thousands of participants dressed in colourful yukata dance and drum along Chuo-dori avenue in the heart of Morioka. The festival traces its roots to a legend in which townspeople danced around a one-eyed demon to drive it away. The powerful percussion and graceful movements make it a highlight of the Tohoku summer festival calendar.

Type
Festival
Category
Matsuri
Season
Summer
Month
Early August
Region
Tohoku
Prefecture
Iwate
City
Morioka

Highlights

  • Guinness-certified world's largest taiko drum parade
  • 30,000 dancers and drummers on Chuo-dori avenue
  • Rooted in a centuries-old local demon legend
  • Participant teams from local schools, companies and groups
  • Four consecutive evenings of performances