【Toyota Oiden Festival】A summer tradition in Toyota with dancing and fireworks

The origin of the Toyota Oiden Festival

The first Toyota Oiden Festival was held in 1968 to commemorate the 100th year of the Meiji era. At that time, Toyota City was experiencing growth due to municipal mergers and the development of the automobile industry, attracting many people to come and work not only from outside the city but also from other prefectures. The Toyota Festival was born from the desire to enjoy the festivities together with not only the long-time residents but also newcomers. The festival was held as a traditional event centered on a fireworks display and a citizens’ dance competition.

As time passed, the needs of citizens diversified, and various plans were devised to further enliven the festival, which had been going for 20 years. In 1989, the festival took a new start as the current Toyota Oiden Festival.

If you want to create the best summer memories, come to Toyota Oiden Festival!

Boasting being the largest in the Tokai region and attracting people from all over, the Toyota Oiden Festival Fireworks Display is the grand finale of the Toyota Oiden Festival. Centered on the Toyota Stadium and the surrounding Yahagi River area, the fireworks display colors the summer night with various performances. The excitement never stops as fireworks are launched from both sides of the bridge! With a variety of types, such as star mines, set-piece fireworks, aerial fireworks, and hand-held fireworks, you can also see creative works by nationally renowned fireworks masters.

The official website features introductions to the fireworks masters, and checking them out in advance can change the way you view the fireworks and double the fun. The launch program can also be checked on the website. Knowing the titles of your favorite fireworks allows you to not miss the performances you want to see, so it is recommended to check them together.

Another unique aspect of this local fireworks festival is the Citizen Fireworks Sponsorship Message. It’s heartwarming to express your feelings for someone special or your everyday gratitude in words. The popular Oiden Fireworks, where many people gather, also offers sponsorship seating. Please check the official website for more information.

The colorful and participatory Oiden Dance in the heart of Toyota City

The Oiden Dance, a summer tradition in Toyota that anyone can join, welcomes everyone with the elegant phrase, “Tonight in Toyota, everyone is a friend. Oiden, Mirin, Odoromai.” The event consists of two parts: My Town Oiden and Oiden So-Odori, where everyone dances in their own unique costumes, forming groups called “ren.” People gathered from local communities, friends, coworkers, and any other teams freely organized join to dance. The enthusiasm of each team is sure to heat up the hearts of not only the dancers but also the spectators.

The opening of the Oiden So-Odori begins with a parade featuring kids’ musical performances and marching bands. Following the mayor’s speech, the grand dance begins! After the adorable nursery school children spread smiles with the Little Oiden, the entire town finally starts dancing together in the So-Odori. There are basic and freestyle choreographies to match pop, disco, and folk-dance music, and the teams’ unique personalities create a never-ending spectacle as they dance through the streets.

In recent years, live streaming on the internet, in addition to television broadcasts, allows people to enjoy the event from home and feel as if they are participating. The Oiden Dance, where sweat and tears mingle and create a moving experience, is not to be missed! The sense of unity can only be truly appreciated by participating.

Applications for participation begin from late March to early May, just in time for summer

Participating in the Oiden Dance typically starts with joining the My Town Oiden events held in various areas followed by participating in the Oiden So-Odori. Of course, it is also possible to only participate in My Town Oiden. The ease of application is one reason for its popularity. You can enter My Town Oiden as an individual and choose from 14 different venues to participate. Keep in mind that the event content varies by venue, so it’s essential to check beforehand. For the So-Odori, you can enter with a group of nine or more people, and there is no upper limit to the number of participants, so it’s also fun to join in large groups.

For junior and senior high school students, it is possible to participate directly in the Oiden So-Odori without participating in My Town Oiden. There are two styles of dance: Basic Style, which involves dancing to predetermined choreography, and Freestyle, where you can showcase your original choreography. You can practice Basic Style choreography by watching videos on the Toyota Oiden Festival official website or YouTube.

The official website also provides detailed information on the order of the teams, how to dance on the day of the event, how to proceed while dancing, and the key points of choreography. Gather friends to work together; create unique team names and choreography; and dance your heart out in your own special costumes! The best part is that anyone can participate as long as they are prepared. Why not enter and create special memories?