Overview of 2025 event

calendar_month Date

Friday, August 1, 2025 to Monday, August 4, 2025

location_on Venue

Chuodori, Morioka City

footprint Access

Approximately 20 minutes walk from JR Morioka Station, approximately 5 minutes by taxi

Festival trivia

Historical dance derived from "Oni Legend"

In 2023, Morioka City was selected as the second place in the New York Times' ``52 Places to Visit Around the World This Year'', which became a hot topic nationwide. The most exciting event in this town, which was referred to in the article as a ``walkable jewel spot'', is the ``Morioka Sansa Odori'', which is held for four days from August 1st every year.

There are various theories about the origin of Sansa Odori, which has been passed down since the feudal era, but the most popular one is the one that comes from the Mitsuishi legend. A long time ago, there was a Rakshasa ( Rasetsu ） A demon named appeared and went on a rampage, causing trouble for the villagers. The villagers pray to the god of Mitsuishi Shrine to exterminate evil spirits, and their prayers are granted. The god ordered the evil spirits to stamp their handprints on a large three-stone stone in the temple grounds as proof of their vow never to do evil again. It is said that the name "Iwate" comes from the demon's handprint left on the rock at that time. The villagers were happy that the demon had disappeared and danced ``sansa-sansa'' around the three stones. It is said that ``Sansa Odori'' started from there.

A fun and varied parade

Morioka Sansa Odori has grown as a festival with the participation of all citizens, and the number of taiko drums has increased in proportion to the number of participants, and in 2014, it set a world record for simultaneous Japanese drum performances. In the parade, the Miss Sansa dance takes the lead in a splendid performance, followed by dances by general participation groups and traditional Sansa groups.In addition to the powerful sounds of drums and flutes, the participants dance along with chants of ``Sakkorachoiwayasse''. ``It brings happiness, it comes.'' Saccora ） ”. The festival becomes very exciting with the auspicious chants that bring happiness. One of the great appeals of Sansa Odori is that there are many types of dances. There are traditional Sansa dances that have been passed down from generation to generation, so you can enjoy the different dance styles. The brave and energetic group dance, set to a powerful rhythm, is truly impressive.

The Sansa Odori Parade is broadly divided into two parts: ``Attractive Sansa Parade'' and ``Enjoyable Sansa Ring Dance'', and the first ``Attractive~'' consists of the following two parts.

In the ``Part 1'', following the ``Miss Sansa Odori and Sansa Taiko Parade'' where participants are constantly honing their skills, there will be a ``Dance Group Parade'' (Groups 1 to 4) featuring drums, flutes, songs, and dancers from participating organizations such as companies, schools, and local neighborhood associations.

The ``Second Part'' will include the ``Traditional Sansa Odori Parade,'' where the traditional ``Traditional Sansa Dance'' will be performed, the ``Odori Group Parade (5th and 6th Groups)'' by companies, schools, local neighborhood associations, etc., and then the flower on which past Miss Sansa Odori will ride. The event will conclude with the ``Flower Carriage and General Participants Parade,'' in which general participants who have applied in advance, along with cars and ``Chibikko Sansa,'' will proceed, followed by the ``Sansa Herense Group Parade,'' made up of those who participated in the ``Sansa Odori Practice Session,'' which was held during the day.

Join the "circle dance" by jumping in

The real pleasure of Sansa Odori is not just watching it, but also being able to participate. This is the ``Enjoyable Sansa Ring Dance,'' where everyone is welcome to join in. From here, the ``Ring Odori'' will be held at six locations within the venue, where participants and general tourists can enjoy Sansa Odori together. Inside the venue, Sansa Oherense Master (Oherense in Morioka dialect means ``come in'') wearing a yellow sash will give a lecture on how to dance, and there will also be practice sessions on the day with no advance registration required, so even beginners can participate with confidence. Furthermore, on August 4th, the final day of the festival, there will be a demonstration of the ``World's Largest Taiko Parade'' made entirely of taiko drums by the hands of each participating organization, followed by a grand finale in the form of the ``Oirin Odori.''

In order to dance the Sansa dance more beautifully, the tricks are to ``make your hand movements flexible'', ``be soft when bending your knees'', ``be sure to add sharpness to your movements when stopping and moving'', and ``smile and dance happily''. The basic dance is mainly “Tanabata ( Tanabata ） Kuzushi” “Sakaeya ​​difference ( Eyasa ） Dance'' ``Good luck ( Fukko ） There are three types of dances, and the one that is danced in the round dance is Tanabata Kuzushi. For more information on how to dance, a video has been uploaded to the website of the Sansa Odori Executive Committee, so if you are interested, please visit it.

Learn more and enjoy Morioka Sansa Dance