Morioka Sansa Odori Festival 2025

Event date:
August 1, 2025 at 2:25 am
Event end:
August 4, 2025 at 2:25 am

Name:
Sansa Odori Festival

Description:
The Sansa Odori Festival is one of Japan’s most dynamic traditional festivals, held annually in Morioka City. Recognized by Guinness World Records, the event features the world’s largest taiko drum parade, along with vibrant traditional dancing and colorful floats. The heart of the festival is the Sansa Odori dance—an energetic and joyful tradition rooted in local legend and passed down through generations.

Historical Context:
The festival’s origin traces back to a legend in which a demon named Rasetsu was banished by the deity Mitsuishi-kami. The locals celebrated by dancing around the Mitsuishi Stones, chanting “Sansa, Sansa.” This celebration evolved into the Sansa Odori dance, now an important cultural property of Morioka.

Event Details

Dates: August 1 – 4, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily
Venue: Chuodori Street (approx. 1 km), in front of the Iwate Prefectural Government Building, Morioka City
Accessibility: 20-minute walk from JR Morioka Station
Weather: Parade proceeds even in light rain

Key Activities

Sansa Odori Parade (from 6:00 PM daily):

Led by Miss Sansa Odori Dancers—five annually selected women in colorful kimono
Sansa Taiko Group (approx. 50 members) includes:
- Miss Taiko (drummer)
- Miss Yokobue (flutist)
- Utakko-musume (singer)
Over 230 groups participate over four days, including:
- Traditional and children’s dance groups
- Local businesses, schools, and district associations
- Decorated floats

Wa-odori (Circle Dancing):

Starts around 8:30 PM at seven locations along the parade route
Open to the public, welcoming visitors to join the dance
August 4: Grand finale with the largest drum parade and Wa-odori

Special Performances:

Over 10 traditional Sansa Odori groups perform across venues
Unique choreography and costumes reflecting Morioka’s districts
Additional performances by the Traditional Sansa Odori Conservation Society at:
- Morioka Shimin Bunka Hall (Malios Building, west of JR Morioka Station)
- Taki no Hiroba (JR Morioka Station Square)

Public Participation:

The Ippan-sanka Sansa Group welcomes anyone to join the parade
Dance instruction is provided during the parade by Sansa Oherense-shisho (Sansa Odori instructors)

Festival Highlights

Guinness World Record:
On June 10, 2007, Morioka set the record for the world’s largest simultaneous Japanese drum performance at Morioka Racecourse (ORO Park).
Final Day (August 4):
- Showcases Sansakko (child dancers) and award-winning groups from previous festivals
- Features the largest Guinness-certified drum parade
- Concludes with a massive Wa-odori gathering

Ticket Information

Admission Fee: 500 yen per person per day
Where to Buy:
- Sansa Odori Festival Organizing Committee
- Morioka City Hall
- Morioka Tourism & Convention Association
- Additional local ticket counters and tourist information centers

Cultural Significance

The Sansa Odori dance is officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Property of Morioka, cherished for its historical roots and community spirit. The festival fosters cultural exchange and unity, with representatives like Miss Sansa Odori promoting friendship within Japan and internationally.