Gujo Dance

郡上おどり（Gujo Odori）

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Every year, more than 300,000 people converge on Gujo from all over the country, dressed in traditional yukata (summer kimono) and clacking their geta (traditional wooden clogs) on the ground. Both locals and tourists come together in circles to interact with each other through dance. Participation is key, and indeed, the Gujo Dance is known as, not a "dance that you watch," but rather a "dance that you DANCE!" Held for 30 nights from mid-July to early September, it is the longest-running dance in Japan; the climax, between August 13th and 16th, sees four days of all-night dancing that go on well into the morning hours! This beloved tradition, along with the Kanomizu no Kakeodori dance of Meiho, Gujo, was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in late 2022.

Nearby, just a 10-minute walk from the dancing venue, is the town of Gujo Hachiman famous for crystal clear water. There, you can enjoy a stroll through the old, historic castle town.

• Life & Culture
• Summer