Engaru Town's Historic Summer Tradition: The 74th Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival, a Celebration of Music and Dance, to be Held on July 11th (Sat)!

Flyer for the '74th Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival'

The festival begins with a performance by the Engaru Town traditional performing arts group 'Engaru Ganbo Taiko Dōkōkai' (Engaru Ganbo Drum Enthusiasts Club). It also features a 'Music Concert' by the Hokkaido Engaru High School Wind Orchestra and elementary, junior high, and high schools from within and outside the town, a 'Music Parade,' and the main event, the 'Sen'nin Odori' (Thousand People Dance), where dancers parade through the town. With numerous food stalls also present, it's a festival enjoyable for all generations.

Background of the Event

The 'Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival' began in 1951 (Showa 26) as the 'Shoko Sai' (Commerce and Industry Festival) organized by the Chamber of Commerce, starting with traditional performing arts that could bring together people of all ages, from the elderly to children.

The main event, 'Sen'nin Odori,' has been held since 1974 (Showa 49) using a song titled 'Engaru Ondo,' with lyrics written by Dr. Yozo Horie, chief surgeon at Engaru Kosei Hospital, and music composed by Mr. Yoshikatsu Sato, a radiologic technologist at the same hospital.

The current 'Engaru Ondo' has evolved through arrangements in 1996 (Heisei 8) and 1997 (Heisei 9) to become a song that dancers and spectators can enjoy together, leading to its present form.

Now in its 74th year, the historic Engaru Town festival, the 'Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival,' is made possible by the support of many sponsoring organizations and businesses within Engaru Town, as well as donations. It has become one of the major annual events in the town, supported and loved by the residents of Engaru.

Flyer for the '74th Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival' (back). Many sponsoring organizations, sponsoring businesses, and donors from within the town are listed.

Event Details

Location

Engaru Town Arts and Culture Exchange Plaza (Metro Plaza) Parking Lot, etc.

1-1-14 Iwamidōri Minami, Engaru, Monbetsu-gun, Hokkaido 099-0415

Date and Time

July 11, 2026 (Saturday) 12:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Program/Content

12:00 PM - 12:15 PM Engaru Ganbo Taiko Performance / Metro Plaza Outdoor Parking Lot (In case of rain: Metro Plaza Small Hall)

12:30 PM - 3:45 PM Music Concert (Part 1) / Metro Plaza Outdoor Parking Lot (In case of rain: Metro Plaza Small Hall)

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM Music Parade / Along the Shopping Street (Cancelled in case of rain)

5:00 PM - 6:10 PM Sen'nin Odori / Along the Shopping Street (Event proceeds in case of rain)

6:15 PM - Sen'nin Odori Judging Results Announcement / Metro Plaza Outdoor Parking Lot

74th Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival

Engaru Town Traditional Performing Arts Group 'Engaru Ganbo Taiko Dōkōkai'

<Opening> Engaru Ganbo Taiko Dōkōkai, Kaen, Self-Defense Forces Drum Unit

The summer festival begins with a powerful drum performance by the Engaru Ganbo Taiko Dōkōkai, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, along with other groups.

Music Concert

Wind ensembles and brass bands from elementary, junior high, and high schools in Engaru Town and neighboring Yubetsu Town will gather. This year, 11 groups will perform.

Music Concert (Last year's scene)

Music Parade

A parade along the shopping street with lively music.

This year, 6 groups will participate.

Music Parade (Last year's scene)

Sen'nin Odori

The main event, 'Sen'nin Odori.' Participants include the Engaru Self-Defense Forces, Hokkaido Engaru High School, Engaru Town Hall, and others. Judging will be held for each category: 'Sōdori no Bu' (Plain Dance Category), 'Yosakoi Kigyō Dantai no Bu' (Yosakoi Corporate Group Category), 'Yosakoi Gakusei no Bu' (Yosakoi Student Category), 'Yosakoi Kodomo no Bu' (Yosakoi Children's Category), and 'Kasō no Bu' (Costume Category).

Sen'nin Odori 'Kasō no Bu' (Costume Category) (Last year's scene). This year, a total of approximately 1,100 people from 21 groups across all categories will participate.

Engaru Town Spots (Recommended before the festival!)

Michi-no-Eki Engaru Mori no Okhotsk

Exterior of Michi-no-Eki Engaru Mori no Okhotsk

A roadside station with abundant activities for fun.

Adjacent to the Engaru IC on the Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway, this roadside station offers a variety of activities such as 'ziplining' and 'tree trekking.'

Why not stop by before the start of the 'Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival'?

Michi-no-Eki Engaru Mori no Okhotsk

Comments

Venue: Engaru Arts and Culture Exchange Plaza (Metro Plaza)

Naoki Ota, Secretariat of the 74th Engaru Ganbo Summer Festival Executive Committee (Engaru Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

Inquiry Phone Number: 0158-42-5201

On August 14th (Friday), the 'Furusato Daisuki Bon Odori Taikai' (Hometown Love Bon Dance Festival) will be held in the same venue (Metro Plaza) outdoor parking lot. Children participating in the Bon Dance will receive a 'participation prize' of assorted sweets, and there will be judging and awards for the adult Bon Dance in the group and individual categories.

'Kirakukan' (Mokurakukan), where the Engaru Town Tourism Association is located.

Article Creation

Masaki Kobayashi, Secretary General, General Incorporated Association Engaru Town Tourism Association

Inquiry Phone Number: 0158-42-8360