Journeys in Japan: 5x29
Gujo-hachiman: Dancing in the City of Water
Gujo-hachiman, a city defined by water, is located upstream on the Nagara River and at a junction where 3 rivers converge. This rural city is at its busiest in summer – the season of the Gujo Odori, which is a Bon Odori dance festival that has been registered as an important intangible folk-cultural property and lasts for roughly 30 days. The climax of the Gujo Odori is the Tetsuya Odori when people dance through the night until dawn for over 4 days. Gujo-hachiman is also known for its beautiful townscape that retains old waterways. Our traveler, reporter Akane Nakajima, learns Gujo Odori dances and explores a traditional life blessed with water.
5 - 1Murakami: City of Salmon and Sake Jan. 28, 2014- 5 - 2Hiroshima: The City of Hope Feb. 04, 2014
- 5 - 3A Passion for Mechanical Magic: Aichi Feb. 11, 2014
- 5 - 4Kobe: Neighborhoods Reborn Feb. 25, 2014
- 5 - 5Tochigi: Secret World of Samurai and Hot Spring Mar. 04, 2014
- 5 - 6Sanriku: Lives Intertwined with the Sea Mar. 11, 2014
- 5 - 7Nagatoro: Natural Forests and Pure Ice Mar. 18, 2014
- 5 - 8Kohoku: Life Close to Buddhist Deities Mar. 25, 2014
- 5 - 9Sanjo: Forging Tradition and Craftsmanship Apr. 01, 2014
- 5 - 10
- 5 - 11Kyoto in Spring Part 2: Discovering the World of Incense Apr. 15, 2014
- 5 - 12Kurashiki: Celebrating Heritage Apr. 22, 2014
- 5 - 13
- 5 - 14
- 5 - 15Takamatsu: Spirit of Craftsmanship May. 13, 2014
- 5 - 16Yoshino, Nara: Awash in Pink Petals Jun. 10, 2014
- 5 - 17Izumo: Land of Living Legends Jun. 17, 2014
- 5 - 18Splashing and Chilling in Minakami Jun. 24, 2014
- 5 - 19Wajima Lacquerware, Layers of Perfection Jul. 01, 2014
- 5 - 20Celebrating the Landscape of Azumino Jul. 08, 2014
- 5 - 21Kanazawa: Evolving Tradition Jul. 15, 2014
- 5 - 22Outdoor Hokkaido Part 1: Shiretoko Wildlife Paradise Jul. 22, 2014
- 5 - 23Outdoor Hokkaido Part 2: Into the Wilds of Kushiro Jul. 29, 2014
- 5 - 24Iwate: Road to Recovery Aug. 05, 2014
- 5 - 25Okinawa: The Land of Karate Aug. 12, 2014
- 5 - 26Tomioka: Cradle of Japan's Modernization Aug. 19, 2014
- 5 - 27Niyodo River: Pure Water of the Gods Aug. 26, 2014
- 5 - 28Ine, Kyoto: Serenity by the Sea Sep. 16, 2014
- 5 - 29Gujo-hachiman: Dancing in the City of Water Sep. 23, 2014
- 5 - 30Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Part 1: Deep Mountain Worship Oct. 14, 2014
- 5 - 31
- 5 - 32Kumamoto Prefecture: Appreciating Abundance Oct. 28, 2014
- 5 - 33Into the Heart of Kyoto Nov. 04, 2014
- 5 - 34
- 5 - 35Savoring Fall on Shodoshima Nov. 18, 2014
- 5 - 36Tomonoura: The Old Folks and the Sea Nov. 25, 2014
- 5 - 37Izumo: Land of Legend and Folk Craft Dec. 02, 2014
- 5 - 38Yokohama Stories Dec. 09, 2014
- 5 - 39Echizen: The World of Washi Dec. 30, 2014