Tokyo Festival Restaurant - Bon Dance Izakaya

Tokyo Festival Restaurant (Bon Dance Izakaya) is at the 3F floor of the modern restaurant building Shoku no Hanamichi, in the lively Kabukicho district, in the east of the big Shinjuku station and close to the famous giant Godzilla Head, Golden Gai yokocho and Hanazono-jinja shrine.

Concept of Bon Dance IZAKAYA

Bon Dance IZAKAYA is a self-aware touristic attraction, catering to both Japanese and international visitors. It offers dinner-shows themed on Bon Odori dances that are one of the key elements making the ambiance of Japan’s summer festivals around Obon, the traditional "celebration of the dead". According to popular beliefs, ancestors and deceased relatives are allowed to come back to the world of the living for a few days in July or in August, providing a festive occasion for Japanese people to celebrate with joyful dances.

Read more:

Obon - 👻 The Dead and Ghost Festival in Japan

Each region has its own style of Bon Odori, but they all share a simple choreography that can be performed by everyone, without particular training. Dancers move in circle around an illuminated wood tower where musicians play their instruments.

The Tokyo Festival Restaurant is supported by the Japanese Association for Bon Odori (日本盆踊り協会, Nihon Bon Odori Kyokai) that is working for the preservation of these regional dances. The izakaya introduces a selection of such dances, such as:

• Awa-odori, one of the most famous, originating of the area of Tokushima in Shikoku;
• Eisa, a traditional dance of Okinawa; and,
• Yosakoi, a kind of Bon Odori that is more dynamic and that can be danced on more contemporary musics.

A cultural presentation in English and in Japanese explains the various dances before the beginning of the show.

Japanese matsuri culture

A traditional Japanese ambiance immediately welcomes the visitors: every detail was thoroughly thought to allow for a perfect cultural immersion, and especially the decoration that reminds of the iconic Edo period (1603 - 1868).

The restaurant is composed of several counters in the yatai style placed on the sides of the room, and the tables are arranged so that the guests can comfortably watch the stage, also placed on one of the sides.

The approximately 90 minutes experience starts with a meal. Once seated at the table, it is possible to order in English or in Japanese, among a choice Japanese street-food that is typical of summer matsuri and izakaya pubs: takoyaki octopus balls, edamame and various types of yakitori skewers, paired with beer 🍺, sake 🍶 or Ramune soda.

The show starts 45 minutes in: about a dozen of professional dancers perform for about 15 minutes. Then, guests are invited to join the dance, guided by the dancers showing the choreography. The rest of the evening is spent in a joyful atmosphere enlivened by dancing. Of course, people who feel too shy to join can just watch the dance while cheering up the others.

Immersive and congenial experience for everyone

Tokyo Festival Restaurant - Bon Dance IZAKAYA unveils an authentic side of Japanese culture without the limitation of the festivals’ seasonality, usually in summer. Therefore, travelers in Japan can enjoy Bon Odori at any time of the year, and also learn the dance moves to take part in a "true" Bon Odori matsuri.

Everything contributes to allowing travelers in Japan to feel welcome in the traditional Japanese culture, in a relaxed setting, sustained by a delicious and authentic cuisine.

The course of the evening is well thought and with a good rhythm, and most of the staff in proficient in English, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. Bon Dance IZAKAYA is the ideal ending for a day of exploring Shinjuku, as a solo traveler, or with friends or family. If you go, feel free to tell that Kanpai! sent you.