Bon Odori festivals in Japan see decline over noise complaints as new local events are planned

In Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, a community Bon Odori festival is scheduled for 8 August 2026 at the Oono district community centre plaza. The event will feature traditional dancing from 18:00 to 20:30, food stalls offering yakisoba, shaved ice, cotton candy and other summer treats, and games such as ring toss and a lottery.

Meanwhile, in Sapporo, the number of participants at Bon Odori gatherings has roughly halved over the past two decades. Organisers attribute the drop to noise complaints from nearby residents, leading to restrictions such as ending music by 19:00 and limiting venue use. The Hokkaido Bon Odori Promotion Association’s president, Arakawa Wao, notes that fewer parks are available for festivals because of these concerns, contributing to the overall decline.