This Bon Odori festival was launched by the Kabukicho Shopping District Promotion Association in 2019. Although it nearly vanished due to the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after its inception, it made a revitalized comeback in 2023 following a three-year hiatus (2020?2022). With participation growing year by year, this year’s event?marking the fifth edition was held over two days.
The first day was fraught with concerns?including a suspension due to rain but the second day, the 15th, went off without a hitch; the weather was perfect, the crowd had a gentle, friendly vibe, and I truly enjoyed the day while filming.
The area around Cine City Plaza likely saw its peak crowd back in 2001, when the Milano-za theater was still standing and an estimated 30,000 people gathered for a public viewing of the FIFA Confederations Cup. While it is difficult to recreate that kind of packed, immovable crowd in this day and age, I’d estimate that around 5,000 people turned out for this event. I’m already looking forward to seeing it grow even bigger and better next year and the year after.

Bon Odori Navigator: Ageha Bijō / Ageha-kai
Musical Accompaniment: "Tokyo Otome Daiko" (an idol unit from the world of taiko drumming)
Guests: Razor Ramon RG / Kōshoku Ichidai Otoko / Akiko Higashimura + Bird Fumiya & Antick Lovers

【This video is a digest of the Bon dance from the second half of the second session on the first day.】
Friday, August 14, 2026
Location: Cine City Square
Time: Starts at 17:00

00:00:00 Part 2: Bon Dance
00:00:14 Get Wild ? TM Network
00:04:09 A Cruel Angel's Thesis ? Yoko Takahashi
00:07:16 Yoru no Odoriko (Dancer in the Night) ? Sakanaction
00:10:01 Memeshikute ? Golden Bomber
00:13:31 Shape of You ? Ed Sheeran
00:16:54 Thriller ? Michael Jackson
00:20:29 Can't Take My Eyes Off You ? Boys Town Gang
00:23:59 September ? Earth, Wind & Fire
00:25:58 Dancing Queen ? ABBA
00:28:18 HOT LIMIT ? T.M.Revolution
00:31:50 Ultra Soul ? B'z
00:34:58 Dancing Hero ? Yoko Oginome
00:37:57 I Was Born To Love You ? Queen
00:41:54 Y.M.C.A. ? Village People
00:45:11 Livin' on a Prayer ? Bon Jovi
00:46:22 Kabukicho no Jo-o (Queen of Kabukicho) ?Ringo Sheena
00:49:11 EZ DO DANCE ? TRF
00:52:55 FINALE ~ Encore: Ultra Soul B'z
00:56:24 Closing Remarks (Motoshige Sugiyama, Chairman of the Kabukicho Shopping District Promotion Association)