Journeys in Japan
Season 5 Episode 29 - Gujo-hachiman: Dancing in the City of Water
Gujo-hachiman, a city defined by water, is located upstream on the Nagara River and at a junction where 3 rivers converge. This rural city is at its busiest in summer - the season of the Gujo Odori, which is a Bon Odori dance festival that has been registered as an important intangible folk-cultural property and lasts for roughly 30 days. The climax of the Gujo Odori is the Tetsuya Odori when people dance through the night until dawn for over 4 days. Gujo-hachiman is also known for its beautiful townscape that retains old waterways. Our traveler, reporter Akane Nakajima, learns Gujo Odori dances and explores a traditional life blessed with water.
Episodes in Season 5
Murakami: City of Salmon and Sake
28 min
Hiroshima: The City of Hope
28 min
A Passion for Mechanical Magic: Aichi
28 min
Kobe: Neighborhoods Reborn
28 min
Tochigi: Secret World of Samurai and Hot Spring
28 min
Sanriku: Lives Intertwined with the Sea
28 min
Nagatoro: Natural Forests and Pure Ice
28 min
Kohoku: Life Close to Buddhist Deities
28 min
Sanjo: Forging Tradition and Craftsmanship
28 min
Kyoto in Spring Part 1: Discovering Dolls' Day Traditions
28 min
Kyoto in Spring Part 2: Discovering the World of Incense
28 min
Kurashiki: Celebrating Heritage
28 min
A Day-Trip From Tokyo Part 1: Kamakura - City of Nature, History and Tradition
28 min
A Day-Trip From Tokyo Part 2: Slow Train in Springtime Chiba
28 min
Takamatsu: Spirit of Craftsmanship
28 min
Yoshino, Nara: Awash in Pink Petals
28 min
Izumo: Land of Living Legends
28 min
Splashing and Chilling in Minakami
28 min
Wajima Lacquerware, Layers of Perfection
28 min
Celebrating the Landscape of Azumino
28 min
Kanazawa: Evolving Tradition
28 min
Outdoor Hokkaido Part 1: Shiretoko Wildlife Paradise
28 min
Outdoor Hokkaido Part 2: Into the Wilds of Kushiro
28 min
Iwate: Road to Recovery
28 min
Okinawa: The Land of Karate
28 min
Tomioka: Cradle of Japan's Modernization
28 min
Niyodo River: Pure Water of the Gods
28 min
Ine, Kyoto: Serenity by the Sea
28 min
Gujo-hachiman: Dancing in the City of Water
28 min
Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Part 1: Deep Mountain Worship
28 min
Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Part 2: Yamabushi Training for Death and Rebirth
28 min
Kumamoto Prefecture: Appreciating Abundance
28 min
Into the Heart of Kyoto
28 min
Wakasa Bay, Fukui Prefecture: Following the Old Mackerel Road
28 min
Savoring Fall on Shodoshima
28 min
Tomonoura: The Old Folks and the Sea
28 min
Izumo: Land of Legend and Folk Craft
28 min
Yokohama Stories
28 min
Echizen: The World of Washi
28 min
