Japanese festivals are always a blast, especially in smaller cities where the wide-ranging activities more often than not have a positive effect on the atmosphere of the whole town. Head up to Morioka for the Sansa Odori when dancers and drummers take over the streets of this northern town.
-
The Sansa Odori Festival in Morioka boasts a parade of more than 10,000 dancers and drummers, and is a huge event widely recognized as one of the most exciting festivals in northern Japan. While one can have a great time just strolling along the streets as an observer of this spectacular event, nothing beats taking an active role and joining in the massive parade yourself. Here’s how you too can do this.
![Morioka Sansa Festival]()
Morioka Sansa Festival
The most obvious way to participate in the festival is by devoting yourself fully by joining one of the many teams that perform in the parade or at one of the many side-events that take place during the festival. We bumped into a small group of westerners who were doing just this, although they were living permanently in Morioka. Unless you too call this city home, and have plenty of time to spare for the countless practice sessions that take place well in advance of the festival, this might not be a realistic option for you.
As the synchronized aspect of the Sansa dance is a big part of what makes it so visually stimulating, watching large numbers of dancers perform the same moves, turns and shouts at the same moment is an impressive sight. While the dance may not look difficult, perfecting the timing in a big group takes the dancers months of training before the main event. The amount of hard work and dedication makes it perhaps understandable that beginners aren’t welcome to join in and risk ruining the aesthetics of the parade.![Morioka Sansa Festival]()
Morioka Sansa Festival
Instead, a more accessible option to temporary visitors, is to join the free practice class that is held during the daytime at the Iwate Prefectural Hall, just a stone’s throw away from the starting point of the parade.
![Morioka Sansa Festival]()
Morioka Sansa Festival
Here, you’ll get taught the fundamental moves and routines that make up the Sansa dance in less than one hour. There’s also a room next door where you can rent a yukata and even have someone help you getting dressed and ready to dance in it as well.
![Morioka Sansa Festival]()
Morioka Sansa Festival
The festival organizers seem to be making a push to make the event more accessible to non-Japanese visitors with English-speaking volunteer guides available to help you out in case body language will not suffice.
![Morioka Sansa Festival]()
Morioka Sansa Festival
Once you’ve got the moves sorted out and you’re fully dressed, you’re ready to dance! At the end of the parade, there’s a section with some drummers and dancers on a big stage displaying a sign that says: “Minna de odorou!”, roughly translated to: “Let’s all dance!”. As the banner implies, anyone is welcome to join the fun in this part of the massive parade.
Kita Hotel (Hotel du Nord)
17-45 Uchimaru Morioka Iwate
-
Go here
