Dazzling Suzume Odori Aoba Festival, Sendai

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The 350 year old annual Aoba Festival takes place in the city of Sendai (in Miyagi Prefecture) on the third Saturday and Sunday in May each year.

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VIDEO: Suzume-Odori Aoba Festival, Sendai

Suzume Odori aka 'Sparrow Dance'

The Saturday includes Suzume Odori or 'Sparrow Dance' performances, where dozens of different troupes compete against each other.

Dances include whirling fans (symbolising bird feathers) around to the beat of drums, flutes, and cymbals.

The troupe in this film represent a local nursery school with some of the children also taking part.

If you're in Japan in May this is a festival weekend well worth making a trip for.

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About the Author

A writer and publisher from England, Rob has been exploring Japan’s islands since 2000. He specialises in travelling off the beaten track, whether on remote atolls or in the hidden streets of major cities. He’s the founder of TheRealJapan.com.

Resources

Sendai Official Tourism Website (Aoba Festival page):
http://sendai-travel.jp/activities/aoba-festival/

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