16th Kamondai Bon Odori Festival to be Held at Taisho University on July 10-11

The 16th Kamondai Bon Odori Festival Poster

Taisho University (President: Chizumi Kanda, Location: Toshima Ward, Tokyo) will hold the "16th Kamondai Bon Odori Festival" on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026.

This event is a major festival for our university, and is a unique Bon Odori event in Japan planned and operated by students as part of their coursework.

Since resuming in-person events in 2022, the festival has been a great success, attracting over 10,000 visitors each year. This year, as Taisho University celebrates its 100th anniversary, the scale of the event will be expanded more than usual. Highlights include joint performances with Bon Odori circles from other universities, a Bon Odori directed by the long-established Bon Odori group "Stardust Kawachi" from Hirakata, Osaka, and a Bon Odori that conveys the story of recovery from the earthquake disaster. We will also feature a Yosakoi performance in collaboration with Kochi Prefecture. Furthermore, to reflect on 100 years and express intergenerational exchange and remembrance as the origin of Bon Odori, we have newly produced the "Taisho University Ondo." The event is packed with attractions for all ages, from young to old. We invite you to join us.

Event Details

"16th Kamondai Bon Odori Festival 'Kake-ro O'" (Put a Circle On)

Date and Time: Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026 (Event will proceed in case of rain)

Doors Open: Friday 10th, 3:30 PM~; Saturday 11th, 1:30 PM~

Segaki Memorial Service: Friday 10th, 5:30 PM~; Saturday 11th, 5:00 PM~

Bon Odori Begins: Friday 10th, 6:00 PM~; Saturday 11th, Daytime Dance 2:00 PM~, Evening Dance 5:30 PM~

Closing: Both days, 8:00 PM

Venue: Taisho University (3-20-1 Nishi-Sugamo, Toshima Ward, Tokyo 170-8470)

Organizers: Taisho University; Sponsors: Toshima Ward, Kita Ward, Kochi Prefecture

Scenes from the 15th Kamondai Bon Odori Festival held in 2025

Kamondai Bon Odori

Taisho University's Bon Odori has its roots in the "Tamatsuri" (Soul Festival) held in 1919. It was held intermittently until the 1970s, then discontinued for a long period before being revived in 2011 as an event to commemorate the Great East Japan Earthquake and pray for recovery. Since then, it has been held every summer for the past 15 years without interruption, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, in addition to continuing the memorial for Tohoku's recovery, we will also hold a memorial service to celebrate the university's 100th anniversary. Through social contribution activities befitting a Buddhist university, we will further strengthen our partnerships with many regions.

※An article about "Tamatsuri" was published in the Yomiuri Shimbun on July 14, 1919.

Highlights of the 16th Kamondai Bon Odori Festival

・【New】Joint Bon Odori dance with Bon Odori circles from other universities.

・【New】First-ever daytime Bon Odori performance directed by the long-established Bon Odori group "Stardust Kawachi" from Hirakata, Osaka.

・【New】Performance of "Tokoyassai," a dance from Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture, while conveying a story of recovery.

・【New】Collaboration with Kochi Prefecture's "Seicho Yosakoi" in partnership with the Kochi Prefecture Tokyo Office.

・【New】Distribution of 100th-anniversary design light-up bracelets and tenugui towels, and installation of a monument.

・【New】As a milestone for Taisho University's 100th anniversary, we will connect Bon Odori culture to the next 100 years by dancing the "Taisho University Ondo," newly created by Kengo Tsuda, Stardust Kawachi, and Odzuki (a Taisho University circle), marking a new challenge.

・【Ongoing】High schools in the vicinity of the university will participate, livening up the event with original stalls and performances.

※1 Bon Odori planned and operated by students as part of their coursework...

Operated through problem-based learning (PBL) classes such as "Regional Project" and "Regional Issue Resolution Practice Theory," where students consider the characteristics and challenges of the region through the project of Kamondai Bon Odori, using Toshima Ward and Kita Ward as their learning fields. Students are responsible for everything from target setting to event content, planning, public relations, and venue setup. This cultivates their ability to act independently and their skills in building relationships and coordinating with stakeholders.

Student Comments

Overall Coordination Team Leader: Aoi Yamada (3rd Year, Department of Literature, Humanistic Studies Course, Philosophy and Religious Culture)

This year marks a significant milestone as Taisho University celebrates its 100th anniversary. We aim to carry forward the philosophy of social contribution cultivated over 100 years to the next era, together with the local community and stakeholders who have supported the Kamondai Bon Odori.

This year's slogan is "Kake-ro O" (わをかけろ - Put a Circle On). It incorporates the increased number of zeros for the university's 100th anniversary, the "wa" (輪 - circle/harmony) that connects people, as well as the meaning of "kakeru" (架けろ - to build/bridge) with regions, high schools, and other universities, "kakeru" (懸けろ - to stake/risk) the students' aspirations, and "kakeru" (翔けろ - to soar) towards new challenges. We are embarking on many new initiatives under this concept, so please come and join us!

◆Taisho University

Taisho University is operated collaboratively by four founding sects: Tendai, Shingon Buzan-ha, Shingon Chizan-ha, and Jodo, as well as the Ji Sect. Supporting this spirit of collaboration is the founding philosophy of "Practice of Wisdom and Compassion" established at the university's founding in 1926. "Practice of Wisdom and Compassion" represents the way of life of a Bodhisattva in Buddhism, meaning "a person who aspires to perfect their own practice and save all beings." Under this philosophy, the university upholds the educational vision "Become Four Kinds of People," rooted in the Buddhist spirit of <Compassion, Self-Enlightenment, Middle Way, and Coexistence>. Building on its past achievements, the university views 2026, its 100th anniversary, as a "Second Founding" and is further developing its educational and research activities.

Official Website: https://www.tais.ac.jp/