All Events

Bon-Odori, Summer Festival

Cultural Festivals

When
August 22, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Where
Portland Japanese Garden, Tateuchi Courtyard
Event Audience
Public and All Members
This event is included with daily admission or a membership to the Garden.
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Bon-Odori at Portland Japanese Garden 2025. Photo by Portland Japanese Garden.

Event Information

A highlight of summer festivals in Japan is the bon-odori (盆踊り/ Bon dance). Each region in Japan has their own version of the dance, as well as different music. In Japanese Buddhist tradition, bon-odori is a way to entertain and send off the spirits of our ancestors and celebrate life. Dancers circle the yagura, a high wooden bandstand for the musicians and singers.

At Portland Japanese Garden, dances will be taught by Chris Dart and demonstrated by dancers from Oregon Buddhist Temple. Come to learn the dances, see people dressed in yukata, and to hear and feel the sound of taiko drums.

Dancers enjoy dancing at last year’s Bon-Odori 2025

Schedule

TimeProgram
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Taiko and Shamisen Ensemble Songs by Takohachi/Kotori-Kai

10:30 am - 11:00 am

First Dance set | This set will feature traditional songs performed by Takohachi. For all three sets, dances will be taught by Chris Dart, Oregon Buddhist Temple Bon Odori Sensei and demonstrated by dancers from the Oregon Buddhist Temple. Dance titles are:

11:15 am - 11:45 am

Second Dance set | This set will feature Japanese dances from 1950-ish to 1990. Dance titles are:

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

Third Dance set | This set will feature bon dances popular in the United States. Dance titles are:

Bon Odori 2025

How To Wear Yukata

Dressing up for Bon Odori? When putting on your yukata, wrap the left side over the right (from the wearer’s perspective).

Easy tip: Think “Y” for yukata! From the front, the neckline will look like a lowercase “y.” It’s a small detail, but an important part of wearing yukata and kimono in the traditional Japanese way.

Enjoy wearing your yukata and dancing at Bon Odori!

 

Mayuko Sasanuma, Director of Cultural Programs, and Chloe Lee, Marketing Specialist, wearing yukata at Bon-Odori. Photo by Portland Japanese Garden.

Bon-Odori Song Videos

First Set - Soran Bushi

Second Set - Appare Ondo

Third Set - Ei Ja Nai Ka (Isn't it good!)

Portland Japanese Garden would like to thank James F. and Marion L. The Miller Foundation, Oregon Arts Commission, Travel Portland, and the America 250 Oregon Commission for their support of arts and culture programming.

Special thanks to Park Lane Suites and Inn, and the 

 Hampton Family Foundation of the Oregon Community Foundation for their support.