The “Minosawa Bon Odori Festival,” a community-participation bon dance event that colors the summer in Nasu, will be held again this year. This is a one-night-only festival that revives the bon dance once cherished at the former Minosawa Elementary School, connecting the region’s history and culture to the next generation. Adults and children alike can enjoy a summer moment filled with smiles and music, so please come and experience it.
📅 Event Overview
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 15:00-21:00 (Cancelled in case of rain)
- Venue: Nasu Utopia (Former Minosawa Elementary School)
- Admission: Free (Art gallery also open on the same day)
- Organizer: Minosawa Bon Odori Festival Executive Committee
- Co-organizers: Minosawa Residents’ Association, Nasu Utopia
- Support: Nasu Town, Nasu Town Board of Education, Shimotsuke Shimbun
🎯 Purpose of the Event
As a place to reconnect community bonds and as a summer memory to pass on to children, the Minosawa Bon Odori Festival aims to be a “hometown festival” that can be enjoyed across generations. Whether you’re reminiscing about past scenes or visiting for the first time, we offer a heartwarming time.
🎤 Program (Partial Excerpt)
- Opening Ceremony
- Shamisen & Guitar Performance
- Nine-Tailed Fox Performance Play
- Bon Dance (Part 1 & Part 2)
- Karaoke Contest (with luxurious prizes)
- Raffle 🎁
- Workshops and food stalls galore!
⏰ A detailed timetable will be announced later.
🧖♂️ Sauna Event Held Simultaneously!
This year’s Minosawa Bon Odori Festival will also feature a sauna event!
Experience Nasu Utopia’s proud authentic outdoor sauna at a special price of 1,100 yen.
Enjoy a luxurious summer night by listening to the sounds of the bon dance while cooling off in the evening.
🍴 Vendor Information (Examples)
- Draft beer, soft drinks, shaved ice
- Food stalls with beef skewers, yakisoba, fried chicken, medicinal dumplings, etc.
- Fun booths like shooting games and fox mask decoration!
- Relaxation massage (workshop)
🎁 Sponsorship & Support Request
This event is made possible through the cooperation of local communities, companies, and individuals.
We welcome prize donations for the raffle, sponsorships, and support through crowdfunding. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
☂ In Case of Rain
If the probability of precipitation is 70% or higher at noon the day before, the event will be canceled. The decision will be announced by 9:00 AM on the day of the event via Nasu Utopia’s official SNS and website.
🚗 Access & Parking Information
- Schoolyard Campground: 30 spaces
- In front of the Gymnasium: 15 spaces
- Community Center: 8 spaces
- Higanbana Park: Limited spaces
- *Please follow the guidance of the staff for other parking options
📣 Latest Information
Announcement Start: Scheduled for July 1, 2025
We will also provide information via SNS and local bulletin boards.
💬 Volunteers & Performers Wanted!
If you would like to help with the event’s operation on the day, or if you wish to participate as a vendor or performer, please contact the executive committee. Let’s liven up Minosawa’s summer together!
🤝 Crowdfunding Planned!
To bring back the summer bustle once more to this place.
We ask for your support to revive the “Minosawa Bon Odori Festival”!
In the mountains of Nasu lies the former Minosawa Elementary School.
This place was once a beloved annual tradition where locals gathered, laughed, danced, and enjoyed the summer nights at the “Bon Odori Festival.”
However, with the passage of time, the school closed, and local events gradually disappeared.
Amidst this, with the desire to “bring back that summer once more,” we, the Minosawa Bon Odori Festival Executive Committee, have risen to the challenge.
On August 16, 2025.
We will revive the “Minosawa Bon Odori Festival,” where people from the region and visitors alike can enjoy together across generations.
The sound of drums that makes your heart dance, the smiles of children in yukata dancing.
Food stalls using local ingredients, nostalgic night stalls, and a sky full of stars.
But to hold this festival, we truly need everyone’s help.
Venue maintenance costs, sound equipment, tower setup, lighting preparations, safety management…
We will seek the funds that cannot be covered by the community alone through crowdfunding.
Please, to “light the summer lights of the community once more,”
we kindly ask for your warm support.
▶ Support us here (link to be provided).
▶ Please also check the details of the target amount and usage.
Organizer: Minosawa Bon Odori Festival Executive Committee
Co-organizers: Minosawa Residents’ Association, Nasu Utopia
Support: Nasu Town, Nasu Town Board of Education, Shimotsuke Shimbun