Japanese ondō: a seasonal tradition everyone can enjoy.

Hanagasa OndoKanazawa Akiko

Hanagasa Ondo

This is a popular ondō song often used in the Japanese festival “Hanagasa Matsuri,” where people dance through the streets to the Hanagasa Ondō.

The festival is held mainly in the Tohoku region.

Among them, the “Yamagata Hanagasa Festival,” held annually in August in Yamagata City, is especially famous.

Nuclear Power Plant Ondo (festival song)THE TIMERS

Nuclear Power Ondo - The Timers

Here is “Nuclear Power Plant Ondo” from the collection of festival-chant songs by The Timers, a masked underground blues-rock band led by singer Kiyoshiro Imawano.

While the tune is very bright and cheerful, the lyrics deliver a scathing critique of the nuclear power-based social system.

Smile Ondoyuzu

Yuzu - Smile Ondo

Smile Ondo by the popular duo Yuzu.

This track is included on their fourth mini-album, Yuzu Smile.

The album is comprised of songs aimed at children.

It features bright, easy-to-sing lyrics, and because it was a limited-time release, it is now out of print.

Tokyo is the 7 o’clock at night Ondopichikaatofaibu

“Stylish Bon Odori vol. 2” produced by KEITA MARUYAMA “Tokyo at 7 p.m. Ondo ~ Bon Odori Version”

This song was born from the rather simplistic idea of turning “Tokyo wa Yoru no Shichiji” into a stylish bon-odori tune for some reason.

Of course, the lyrics aren’t like “Ha~ yoisho” or anything—they’re normal lyrics—so it has more of a groovy feel and not much of that traditional ondō vibe.

It’s the kind of track that makes you want to dance in a modest, slightly modern way.

Tokyo OndoKouta Katsutarou

Kouta Katsutaro; Tokyo Ondo

Speaking of that familiar cheer that begins with “Haaah,” it’s Tokyo Ondo.

Even if you don’t really know the choreography, it’s the kind of song that makes you feel like breaking into a little dance.

It’s also well known as a fight song for the Tokyo Swallows professional baseball team.

Even when it rains, it’s fun to raise and lower your umbrella while listening to Tokyo Ondo.

Shimokita OndoBarō Marakasu-dan

Shimokita Ondo

Here is the work that actually won the Grand Prize in an open call held in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.

In this video, you can see choreography initiated by choreographer Shigeki Majima, who once took the world by storm with “Matsuken Samba.”

Gudetama Ondogudetama

Gudetama Ondo

It’s a laid-back bon-odori-style tune by Gudetama, the lazy egg who’s actually an official Sanrio Puroland character.

The lines Gudetama drops in throughout the lyrics are kind of funny.

The song itself is a bright, fun track you can dance to.