Festivals / August / Morioka

Morioka Sansa Odori

盛岡さんさ踊りsay “moh-ree-oh-kah sahn-sah oh-doh-ree”

Thousands of dancers and drummers fill the main street of Morioka for four summer nights, in what was certified as the world's largest Japanese drum ensemble.

Morioka · Map ↗August 1–4, every year★★★ Overnight tripDanceDrumsSummer

Dancers in red and orange costumes with drums parade along a wide street under a festival banner. — The Sansa Odori parade on Chūō-dōri, Morioka, August 3, 2017. Photo: Marho, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source

What it is

The Sansa Odori is Morioka’s summer festival, held over four nights at the start of August. Thousands of dancers, drummers and flute players parade along the city’s main street, many dancing while they beat drums worn at the waist.

Legend says the dance began when a demon that troubled the town was driven away by the kami of Mitsuishi Shrine, and people danced around its three great rocks in celebration. The demon is said to have left its handprint on one rock, which some say gave Iwate its name.

Key dates

The festival at a glance

Date	What happens
Aug 1–4, evening	Sansa parade: Dancers, drummers and flute players parade along Chūō-dōri

First visit?

Which day should you go?

Best for first-timers

Any evening

Watch the parade, then join the open dance circle at the end of the night.

At the festival

What to look for

Drums

Dancers carry drums at their waist and beat them as they dance.

The record

In 2014 the festival was certified by Guinness World Records for the largest Japanese drum ensemble, with 3,437 drummers.

The legend

Legend says people danced for joy around three sacred rocks after a demon was driven out of Morioka.

Getting there

Getting there & where to stay

From	How	Time
Tokyo	Tōhoku Shinkansen to Morioka	about 2 h 10 min

On the day. The parade runs along Chūō-dōri, about 20 minutes on foot from Morioka Station.

Crowds. The parade runs each evening. Join the open dance circle at the end of the night.

Where to stay

Our pick

Central Morioka

Walk to the parade and the city's famous noodle restaurants.

Tsunagi Onsen

A hot-spring town about 30 minutes away by bus.

When to book. Book 3 months ahead. Rooms fill with visitors touring the Tohoku summer festivals.

Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.

Before you go

Practical tips

Tohoku tour. The festival starts just before the Aomori Nebuta, Akita Kantō and Sendai Tanabata festivals.

Words you’ll hear

Glossary

Matsuri祭り

A Japanese festival, usually held for the kami of a local shrine. The word comes from the idea of serving and entertaining the gods.

Sources

References

Morioka City: Sansa Odori, https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kankou/kankou/1037106/rekishi/1022409/1022410/index.html
Matsuri Stream (Nippon Matsuri Network): Morioka Sansa Odori.

Last checked 2026-10-13.