Summer Yukata Get Pop Treatment at Ginza Festival in Japan

By Sawa Matsumoto / Yomiuri Shimbun staff writer

1:00 JST, August 12, 2023

Oshare Bon Odori, an event to enjoy the summer festival in a more fashionable way, was held in the Ginza area of Chuo Ward, Tokyo, in early August for the first time in four years after a hiatus due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. On the rooftop of Tokyu Plaza Ginza, where the event was held, attendees were dressed in yukata of various unique styles and enjoyed a special evening.

A 44-year-old sand artist showed up in a yukata with colorful eyeballs printed on it. “A friend of mine made it for me a few years ago,” he said. “I finally got a chance to wear it.” An Iranian woman, 29, was wearing a red scarf from her national costume wrapped around her head. The beads on the scarf sparkled and brought out the beauty in her yukata.

When familiar songs such as “Tankobushi” and “Ginza Can Can Musume” were played, many attendees spontaneously formed a circle and began dancing.