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Matsuri Guide

Bon odori • Hokkaido (北海道)

子ども盆踊り

Children's Bon Odori

Kodomo Bon Odori (子ども盆踊り)

Next date On Saturday, August 15, 2026
Status Date not confirmed
Period Usually mid-August
Date type Variable, usually mid-August
Venue Rishiri-chō Yakuba Senhōshi Shisho (利尻町役場仙法志支所)
Access The event takes place in Oshidomari, in the park in front of Rishiri Fuji-chō Town Hall; access from Oshidomari ferry terminal by local bus, taxi, car, or on foot depending on accommodation.

Name in Japanese and English

  • 子ども盆踊り (Kodomo Bon Odori)
  • Children's Bon Odori

Summary

子ども盆踊り (Kodomo Bon Odori), or Children's Bon Odori, is a small summer festival held in 鴛泊 (Oshidomari), in the town of 利尻富士町 (Rishiri Fuji-chō), on 利尻島 (Rishiri-tō) island. It captures the spirit of 盆踊り (bon odori), Obon dances, but in a family-friendly and local format designed primarily for children. The island's calendar presents the event as an evening aimed at giving children as many memories as possible during the summer holidays, with dancing, small attractions, stalls, and friendly activities.

Access and landmarks

Location

役場前公園 (Yakuba-mae Kōen), park in front of the Rishiri Fuji-chō town hall, in the Oshidomari area. In case of rain or bad weather, some editions may be moved to りぷら (Ripura), the town's exchange center.

Address

〒097-0101 北海道利尻郡利尻富士町鴛泊字富士野6, In front of Rishiri Fuji-chō Town Hall, Oshidomari Aza Fujino 6, Rishiri Fuji-chō, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaidō.

Backup location

利尻富士町総合交流促進施設 りぷら (Rishiri Fuji-chō Sōgō Kōryū Sokushin Shisetsu Ripura), 〒097-0101 北海道利尻郡利尻富士町鴛泊字栄町119-1. This covered venue can serve as a backup solution if the weather does not allow outdoor organization.

Landmark

The easiest landmark is 利尻富士町役場 (Rishiri Fuji-chō Yakuba), the Rishiri Fuji-chō town hall. The park is located just in front of the town hall, in the central area of Oshidomari.

Access

From 鴛泊港フェリーターミナル (Oshidomari-kō Ferī Tāminaru), reach the center of Oshidomari then the town hall by local bus, taxi, car, or on foot depending on accommodation. In the early evening, family crowds may increase around the park; arriving a little before opening allows for a more relaxed placement.

Event program

The Children's Bon Odori usually takes place over an evening in mid-August. The event is designed to be simple, accessible, and joyful: families arrive in the late afternoon, children enjoy games and activities, then the evening continues with dancing. The atmosphere is that of a small village festival, on a local and intergenerational scale.

The core of the event is the 盆踊り (bon odori), Obon dance. Originally, Obon dances are linked to the お盆 (Obon) period, a time to honor ancestors. Here, the emphasis is mainly on the family aspect: allowing children to dance, play, gather, and create summer holiday memories.

When the detailed program is announced, it may include sequences such as the 開場 (kaijō), site opening, the 開会挨拶 (kaikai aisatsu), welcome speech, the お菓子まき (okashi-maki), candy throwing or distribution, the スイカ割り (suika-wari), watermelon splitting game, followed by bon odori dances. Some editions add small games, attractions, or activities with local characters.

The strength of the event lies in its simplicity: a few stalls, a dance area, children participating, families mingling, and a very local atmosphere. On an island like Rishiri, this type of event offers a valuable glimpse into everyday summer life, far from large tourist festivals.

Practical tips

Photos

Arriving before the start of activities allows you to scout the space and find a spot without disturbing. The best moments are often late afternoon for ambient portraits and stalls, then the blue hour for garlands, crowds, and dances. To photograph an event focused on children, favor wide shots and ask permission before any close-up portrait.

Weather

Mid-August in Rishiri can be pleasant, but evenings can sometimes be cool and windy, especially near the sea. Bring a windbreaker and a light layer. In case of rain, the event may be moved to Ripura; checking the day's announcement is therefore important.

Transport

The venue is located in the central area of Oshidomari, around the town hall. From the port, allow some extra time if arriving in the early evening. By car, aim for nearby public parking rather than trying to park as close as possible to the park.

Visitor tips

Arriving at opening time allows children to enjoy the games before the crowd. Dancing usually starts in the second half of the evening. A useful phrase is 写真、撮ってもいいですか (shashin, totte mo ii desu ka), "May I take a photo?".

What to bring

Cash, portable charger, wipes, windbreaker, small lamp or phone light for the return, light bag for small purchases, and suitable clothing for children if the ground becomes damp or the evening cools down.

History

Kodomo Bon Odori fits within the Japanese tradition of Obon dances but in a local and family-oriented form unique to Oshidomari. The event follows the codes of bon odori: music, collective dance, repetitive rhythm, open participation, and a summer atmosphere.

The local Rishiri calendar clearly states the intention of this festival: to offer children as many memories as possible during the summer holidays. This wording shows that the event is not just a one-time activity but a community gathering designed for the town's families.

The chosen location, the park in front of the Rishiri Fuji-chō town hall, reinforces this community aspect. It is a central space, well known to residents, easy to identify, and suitable for a small local festival. The possible backup at Ripura also shows the pragmatic nature of the organization, able to maintain the event despite uncertain weather.

Detailed programs available for some editions show a very accessible structure: opening, welcome speech, candy distribution or throwing, watermelon game, small games, then dancing. This sequence of activities reflects the spirit of the festival: simple, joyful, intergenerational, and child-centered.

Sources & References

Location

Children's Bon Odori

📍 Venue:
Rishiri-chō Yakuba Senhōshi Shisho (利尻町役場仙法志支所)
Honchō 58-1, Senhōshi, Rishiri-chō, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaidō 097-0311, Japon

📅 Add to Calendar
Upcoming Schedule
  • To be confirmed Aug 15, 2026
  • To be confirmed Aug 15, 2027
  • To be confirmed Aug 15, 2028