Bon Odori Festival Presented by Japan Performing Arts, Inc. on Governors Island

Japan Performing Arts, Inc. is bringing the Japanese summer experience of Bon Odori dances to Governors Island. During the Obon summer holiday every August, people dance Bon Odori at festivals all over Japan. This Governors Island event is notable for bringing Japan’s Big Three Bon Odori dances into one venue, including Nishimonai Bon Odori from Akita, Gujo Odori from Gifu, and Awa Odori from Tokushima. Governors Island visitors will have hands-on Bon Odori dance sessions and more Japanese summer festival experiences here in New York.

Sample Japanese specialties from vendors including:
T-Swirl Crepe (Crepes)
Fuji Yakisoba X Otafuku Foods (Fried Noodles &Okonomiyaki – “Japanese Pizza”)
VartexEducation (Shaved Ice)
Wasan Brookyn (Ramen)
Karlsballs (Takoyaki)

Festival Schedule – Saturday 8/31

Nolan Park
12:00 pm   Festival Starts – Greetings and Announcement
12:20 pm   Bon Odori – Awa Odori / Gujo Odori
12:30 pm   Wanage Contest Registration at JPA Booth (Two contests, one for children up to 12 years old and one for 13 years old and above)
1:30 pm     Wanage Contest
2:00 pm     Bon Odori – Nishimonai Bon Odori / Gujo Odori
2:40 pm     Watermelon Splitting Contest
3:00 pm     Sumo Match Registration at JPA Booth (13 years old or above only)
4:00 pm     Sumo Match
4:45 pm     Bon Odori – Nishimonai Bon Odori / Gujo Odori
5:15 pm     Watermelon Splitting Contest
*5:30 pm     Registration for free tickets to performance on Outlook Hill

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm    Bon Odori on Outlook Hill

Date: Saturday, August 31st

Time: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Nolan Park from noon to *8:00 pm

For more information, please visit the website HERE.