On September 21st and 22nd, 2024, "SHIBUYA MIYASHITA PARK BON DANCE" (hereinafter "BON DANCE") was held at the lawn of Shibuya Miyashita Park.We spoke to the organizers about the background and thoughts behind this new summer festival, which was a huge success with its unique concept of mixing traditional Bon Odori and dance music.

Interview and text: Amada Tasuku (Future Design Shibuya)

 

Festivals connect people living in the city

 

--"BON DANCE" was held for the first time last year in 2023, but had the "Miyashita Park Bon Odori" existed before that?

Yako: "When it was the old Miyashita Park, the merchants' association was looking for an event to hold, andin 2015 they held a Bon Odori dance called the 'Miyashita Park Summer Festival.' It was held with the support of businesses based in Shibuya, but it was put on hold after the park was redeveloped."

Nagayama: "I've always wanted to hold a Bon Odori festival again. But the coronavirus has made it impossible for people to gather together."

 

 

Momose: "By the time the COVID-19 situation calmed down, Miyashita Park had been completed as a new facility, so even if we wanted to hold events here again as before, things wouldn't go as we had before, and we were in trouble. That's when we met Sekihara-san from Mitsui Fudosan."

Sekihara: "When the COVID-19 pandemic was over and we were able to hold various events at the newly reborn Miyashita Park, we felt that we wanted to increase the number of opportunities for connections with the local community. Even though Miyashita Park is open to the community, there are still not many events that are run by the local community. That's when Momose and Nagayama approached us about 'BON DANCE,' and we could sense their strong passion for it."

 

 

Nagayama: "As a shopping district, we felt we had to do something now. We didn't mind if the costs had to be borne by the shopping district for a while, but we felt we had to do something to carry the momentum into the next year."

-- And so, with the help and support of those around you, the first event was held last year. How did it go this year, the second time it was held?

Momose: "The first year was called the 0th, as it was a trial run. This year feels like the full start, but last year it was a one-day event, but this year it was held over two days, and 14,000 people attended."

 

 

Momose: "BON DANCE helped many visitors learn about the shopping district, which helped revitalize the town. I also think it was a chance for people to feel a sense of our Japanese identity."

Nagayama: "Many people had prepared thoroughly, but I found it fascinating to see so many people who had just happened to come to Miyashita Park and were simply going with the flow and participating in the Bon Odori."

 

 

-- Festivals and Bon Odori have the power to get people involved.

Sekihara: "The age range was also very wide. There were families with children, tourists from overseas, and also DJ events at certain times of the day. There were all kinds of people there throughout the day, which is typical of Shibuya."

Momose: "The people from overseas seemed to have a lot of fun too. They all drank together, gathered around the stage, practiced and danced together on the spot, and it was great to see them go home with a sense of accomplishment."

Sekihara: "In terms of events at commercial facilities, it's actually quite rare to have an event where you can feel a sense of unity with the various tenants in the facility. But I think it's easy to participate in a Bon Odori dance that's organized by the local community. With BON DANCE, many tenants from across Miyashita Park got involved in their own ways."

Momose: "I think it was a great experience for everyone in the town to have the festival as a hub and connect all sorts of things together."

 

 

Participants proactively create a sense of unity

 

Yako: "In terms of lowering the barrier to entry, Bon Odori songs have become more pop, and people dance to "EZ DO DANCE"."

Momose: "That's the most exciting part (laughs)."

Yako: "The number of people taking photos of the excitement has really increased."

 

 

Sekihara: "A wide variety of people uploaded the videos to social media and YouTube at the same time, and I think this was also part of the excitement that only a festival can create."

-- People who come to the festival don't just come to receive content, but rather have the attitude of wanting to enjoy themselves in a proactive manner.

Momose: "That's the great thing about festivals. They don't just hand out pre-made things like theme parks do. BON DANCE just creates opportunities for people to have fun. It really felt like everyone was there to make their own fun."

--What specifically appealed to you?

Momose: "The grandmas were having so much fun in the karaoke section (laughs). Everyone was in such a good mood."

Yako: "It's hard to sing in a place like that. It feels really good."

 

 

--You also seem to have a sense of initiative, wanting everyone to get excited together.

Momose: "Anyway, everyone looked like they were having fun. Although it was an event where alcohol was served, there were no major problems or complaints, and I think it was a happy atmosphere. I really got the feeling that everyone was trying to make the most of the occasion.
I also climbed up onto the stage during the performance and asked the people who were dancing, "Are you all drinking?" and they all started dancing and said, "Yeeeees!" (laughs). That made me really happy."

 

 

A festival for the people of Shibuya

 

--Can we expect "BON DANCE" to be held again next year?

Momose: Of course. I would love to work together with everyone.
In the future, we would like to increase the amount of content that even small children can enjoy, so that a wider range of people can come, and as the number of visitors is increasing, we would like to work on improving safety considerations, security, and guidance."

Yako: "I hope this will become a part of Shibuya's summer culture."

Sekihara: "That's right. I hope this movement spreads to other areas of Shibuya. Right now it's only on top of Miyashita Park, butI think BON DANCE has the potential and charm to become a symbol of summer in Shibuya someday."

Nagayama: "A festival is all about the people who participate. It has to be lively. I want to increase the number of people who look forward to BON DANCE every year and who come just for BON DANCE."

Momose: "I want it to be a festival that people can say they're looking forward to. I'd be happy if it could become 'their festival', something that the people of Shibuya can be proud of."