So we were coerced into attending the Bonodori festival. I was a bit skeptical but I wanted a chance to experience a Japanese festival. This one was right next to tokyo tower and we got the "vip" treatment at the temple. The temple workers (perhaps monks?) brought us beer, food, and company of course. They sat chatted, ate, and drank with us until the sun fell and then it was odori time.
Bonodori literally means lantern dance. There is a central stage and lanterns everywhere. The dances are all old traditional paterns and there are a few dancers on the stage both male/femal e young and old that perform the dance in order for those of us who don't know to learn. The Japanese seem to be able to recognize the dance immediately by both name, dance, and music. Its nothing comparable to a club, but its still a ton of fun if you just let yourself get into it. I honestly didn't expect it to be fun bc dancing in a large circle and repeating memorized moves kind of reminds me a bit of line-dancing, the macarena, and the electric slide... none of which I enjoy. HOWEVER, it was one of the best nights I've had during my stay.
Everyone around you seems really eager to show you the dance and help you perform it in sync. There are even a few (very very very very few) Japanese that also are picking up a few songs as the festival progresses along. You may even be able to convince the professor to join if you're lucky...
The traditional wear at these festivals is Yukata (the summer version of a kimono). However, guys can also wear an alternate, festival outfit whose name and description I'm completely unsure about... If you are interested though, prepare in advance by buying the set-up from Uni-Qlo (cheap chain of clothing stores); I believe girls/guys can grab their outfit for like 3000-4000 yen (about $25 - 30). Even if you don't get a chance to wear one, its still a ton of fun.
So we were coerced into attending the Bonodori festival. I was a bit skeptical but I wanted a chance to experience a Japanese festival. This one was right next to tokyo tower and we got the "vip" treatment at the temple. The temple workers (perhaps monks?) brought us beer, food, and company of course. They sat chatted, ate, and drank with us until the sun fell and then it was odori time.
Bonodori literally means lantern dance. There is a central stage and lanterns everywhere. The dances are all old traditional paterns and there are a few dancers on the stage both male/femal e young and old that perform the dance in order for those of us who don't know to learn. The Japanese seem to be able to recognize the dance immediately by both name, dance, and music. Its nothing comparable to a club, but its still a ton of fun if you just let yourself get into it. I honestly didn't expect it to be fun bc dancing in a large circle and repeating memorized moves kind of reminds me a bit of line-dancing, the macarena, and the electric slide... none of which I enjoy. HOWEVER, it was one of the best nights I've had during my stay.
Everyone around you seems really eager to show you the dance and help you perform it in sync. There are even a few (very very very very few) Japanese that also are picking up a few songs as the festival progresses along. You may even be able to convince the professor to join if you're lucky...
The traditional wear at these festivals is Yukata (the summer version of a kimono). However, guys can also wear an alternate, festival outfit whose name and description I'm completely unsure about... If you are interested though, prepare in advance by buying the set-up from Uni-Qlo (cheap chain of clothing stores); I believe girls/guys can grab their outfit for like 3000-4000 yen (about $25 - 30). Even if you don't get a chance to wear one, its still a ton of fun.
