"Gujo odori" takes place for the first time in 3 years

The dance "Gujo Odori" is a tradition said to date back about 400 years. It's a quintessential summer sight in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture, and has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. The dance usually held over 31 nights from July to September. On the night before the Obon festival in August, the dance continues through the night until sunrise. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the festival has been cut back to 17 nights, and the all-night dance stopped at 1am. Gujo Odori is one of 41 folk performing arts from 24 prefectures that were registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage on November 30, 2022.