Once there was a dancing feast in Niigata.
People danced and danced all over three days and three nights…
300 years ago, there was a feast in Niigata. Our ancestor drunk, sang and danced with "GETA" (a pair of Japanese clogs) and thump on "TARUKINUTA"(Japanese wooden drum) on the bridges all three days and nights praying for good health and luxuriance. This annual feast brought vigor and power to people who lived in gloomy snowy country.
We are proud of this Japan's best dancing culture and now revived the feast as "NIIGATA SOH ODORI".
"NIIGATA SOH ODORI" is the festival of dancing and hails any dancing style such as Japanese classic dance, jazz and hip hops…On the feast day, we can see many dancers in very original, vivid colored costumes. We can understand each other through dancing.
You can enjoy watching the dancing, also taste Niigata's best foods and local sake at 10 sites in the Niigata city. It means that you can experience "Niigata" itself at the feast.
General information about “NIIGATA SOH -ODORI”
OFFICIAL NAME OF THIS FESTIVAL
"NIIGATA SOH ODORI" FESTIVAL
CONCEPT
Japan’s most exciting dancing festival
THEME OF NIIGATA SOH-ODORI
Hand our ancestor’s spirits down from generation to generation
THE DATES
Hand our ancestor’s spirits down from generation to generation
THE SITE
Central area of Niigata-city including Bandai-city, Furumachi street.
RULES OF ENTRY
It doesn't matter what kind of dance you dance as long as you gave yourself completely to the dance. Please do not hesitate to call us. (English acceptable)
PARTICIPATING GROUPS AND TOTAL DANCERS[2006]
201 groups (including 23 groups from around the Niigata pref.)
About Ten thousand.
SPECTATORS[2006]
Spectators totaled about 367,940 in the three days.
SPONSOR
Executive committee of NIIGATA SOH ODORI, Niigata chamber of commerce and industry
REFERENCE
Executive committee of NIIGATA SOH ODORI
4-20-56 , Kobari, Nisiku , Niigata , 950-2022
E-MAIL. info@soh-odori.net
TEL.025-211-2285 FAX.025-201-2288 http://www.soh-odori.net
