[For Seniors] Fun Activities That Liven Up Cool Evening Festivals and Summer Festivals

Hanagasa Ondo, a dance performed with fans in hand

One-Hand Dance 🌟 Remake of “Hanagasa Ondo” — Dance beautifully with one hand. Prepare a fan (uchiwa).

The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is held in Yamagata during the summer.

As one of the four major festivals of the Tohoku region, it reportedly attracts about one million visitors from inside and outside the prefecture.

Dancers don hanagasa hats and perform along to the song “Hanagasa Ondo.” Why not try bringing this summer festival from Yamagata Prefecture into senior care facilities as well? You can substitute the hanagasa with a uchiwa fan for the dance.

Using a fan allows you to express movements that look graceful and elegant with either one hand or both.

The dance can be done while seated, and its gentle motions are likely to bring smiles to the faces of older adults.

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Nakajima Junko

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Bon Odori exercises done while seated

[For Seniors and the Elderly] Seated Bon Odori Exercise (Tanko-bushi) / Enjoy exercising with a summer festival vibe!

When you go to summer festivals, you often see people enjoying bon odori, the traditional festival dance.

Many older adults have probably danced it at least once, too.

So this time, we’re introducing a bon odori exercise you can use for summer festival activities at care facilities.

It can be done seated, making it a great option for those who find standing difficult.

For the upper body, raise both hands above your head and clap along; for the lower body, extend your heels forward and march your feet in place.

The moves are all simple, so try dancing along to your favorite bon odori song.

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sasashina

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Tankō Bushi danced while seated in a chair

Tanking-bushi danced while sitting on a chair 🍧

You can also dance it as a Bon Odori to the music of “Tankō Bushi,” right? For many older adults, it may feel like a song that evokes summer.

We’ll move our bodies to the tune of “Tankō Bushi.” As they move, some seniors might remember dancing it in the past.

Since it can be done while seated, it’s safe to dance indoors even on hot days.

“Tankō Bushi” is also a representative song of the Showa era, so people might sing along as they dance.

It’s a recommended exercise for summer festival activities at facilities as well.

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Nakajima Junko

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Soran-bushi exercise

[Preventive Care] Super Fun Exercise Singing & Dancing the Soran Bushi! (Brain Training/Easy/Funny)

The Soran Bushi, a folk song from Hokkaido, expresses the strength of fishermen and is a staple performance at events like school sports days.

This routine draws on Soran Bushi movements to highlight the powerful spirit of festivals while also honoring the tradition of folk music.

The most important thing is to perform each movement properly—moving your body big and with intent also contributes to better health.

It’s also recommended to sing the folk song while you move; approaching it with a joyful attitude can further enhance its health benefits.

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kappamaki

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Song Exercise Festival

Health exercise to the tune of Saburo Kitajima’s “Matsuri”! Super popular at day care! [Song Exercise] [Rhythm Exercise]

Enjoy it even while seated! Here are ideas for a sing-and-exercise routine to the song “Matsuri.” When you think of summer festivals or evening cool-down festivals, many people imagine Bon Odori, right? This time, let’s move our bodies to the famous song “Matsuri” by the legendary Saburo Kitajima.

The video introduces ideas for movements you can do while sitting! Even subtle motions will loosen up your body if you do them properly—no doubt about it! Sing, dance, and make fun memories.