[WAJOY General Incorporated Association: International Promotion of Japanese Crafts] Artists from Ishikawa gather for the first time in hopes of recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake! The first NOTO Bon-Odori Fest—Bon Dance Connecting Noto—will be held in Wajima City.
WAJOY International Association for the Promotion of Japanese Crafts (General Incorporated Association) Press Release: September 29, 2025 Artists from Ishikawa Prefecture are gathering for the first time to pray for recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake! The first NOTO Bon-Odori Fest—Bon Dance Connecting Noto—will be held in Wajima City. Put the feelings of the children of Wajima into song and dance! Artists from Ishikawa have come together for the first time to perform an original Bon dance, hoping to bring the community together through Bon dance. Image
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/139572/3/139572-3-a2c666a969e362f4cf5fe143e285bb18-1144×775.jpg Bon dance practice at a kindergarten in Wajima
[Background and characteristics of the event] For the first time, Wajima will host an original Bon dance performance, “of Noto, by Noto people, for Noto people.” This Bon dance will be held as part of the “SAKEBEER NOTO” event. Noto Bon-Odori Fest – A Bon Dance Connecting Noto – is a collaboration between Ishikawa Prefecture natives who miss their hometown in Tokyo and the local people of Wajima. A survey was conducted among 70 children from the Wajima City Social Welfare Council’s children’s club, and based on their thoughts, music producer Nishi-ken, who is originally from Ishikawa Prefecture, wrote an original song. The choreography was done by a dance team active around the world, including fellow Ishikawa native Takafuji Ukon. This was the first time that artists from Ishikawa Prefecture had gathered for a Noto reconstruction support event. Our efforts have been endorsed by the Social Innovation Social Welfare Corporation “Bushien” (Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture), and our circle of support has expanded to include Ishikawa Prefecture-based companies “Kanazawa Maimon Sushi Group” and “GoGo Curry Group.” All sponsorship money from these companies, excluding activity expenses, will be donated to the Wajima City Social Welfare Council’s children’s club through “Bushien.” “Wajima One Heart.” The Noto Bon-Odori Fest brings together the hearts of Wajima people in a Bon dance that connects Noto. We hope to enjoy the festival with the people of Noto and help them find a brighter future.
【Event Overview】 Date and Time: Sunday, October 5, 2025, Doors Open at 5:00 PM, Show Begins at 5:30 PM, Ends at 6:30 PM *Event will be held rain or shine Venue: Wajima Kabure (2-208 Kawai-cho, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture) Organizer: Noto Bon-Odori Executive Committee
Co-organizer: Wajima Kabure/ SAKEBEER NOTO 2025 Executive Committee Sponsors: Wajima City / Ishikawa Prefecture / Wajima City Board of Education / Hokuriku Shimbun / FM Ishikawa / Hokuriku Asahi
Broadcasting / Television Kanazawa / MRO Hokuriku Broadcasting [Schedule (Planned)] [12:00] SAKEBEER NOTO Opens/Sponsored Event Begins [15:05] Bean Bun Eating Contest [17:00] “Wa Isshin” Bon Dance Performance/Takafuji School × Children of Wajima City [18:00] Finale *You can also enjoy food and sweets from food stalls [Event Details] Original Bon Dance for Noto Artists from Ishikawa Prefecture gathered for the first time in hopes of supporting the recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Music producer Nishi-ken created music based on the voices of children at the children’s club, and dancer Takafuji Ukon and others provided choreography. This “Original Bon Dance for Noto,” created together with the people of Wajima, will connect children’s hopes for the future. [Song/dance production members] ■Lyrics and composition: nishi-ken (from Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture) Music producer/composer/arranger/keyboard player. He has written songs, produced, recorded, and remixed for numerous artists. He has worked with well over 100 artists, including Ado and GRe4N BOYZ (ex. GReeeeN). ■Dance Creation : Takafuji School Headmaster Mariko Takafuji (from Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture) From a young age, she was introduced to the world of Japanese dance, shamisen, and folk songs, and distinguished herself at dance societies, winning numerous awards, including the Minister of Education Award. In her hometown of Kanazawa, she is active in a wide range of fields as a leading figure in creative Japanese dance. : Takafuji School II Ukon Takafuji (born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture) For over 20 years, he has produced, choreographed, directed, and starred in numerous performances both in Japan and abroad. He produces Japanese entertainment shows with the theme of promoting world peace through dance and Japanese culture. In recent years, he has collaborated with JICA on a project to create Bon Odori dances in various countries, starting with Jamaica, using choreography and music that mix local dance with Japanese Bon Odori. : Head of the Namie School, Michiko Namie (born in Tokyo) Active as an actor, dancer, and producer. Established in 2024, she became an ambassador for “Team JAPAN,” a reconstruction support organization centered around Ishikawa Prefecture. She performs at charity concerts and at evacuation shelters. She performed with NOBU at a
reconstruction support concert hosted by “Team JAPAN.” [Other events] Food and Drink at the Stalls… Sponsors will provide food, drinks, snacks, and more. * All proceeds from food and drink sales from companies and organizations will be donated, excluding expenses. Bread Eating Contest… Sponsored by Kimuraya Sohonten, we will also be holding an anpan eating contest in which children can participate. Yukata Dressing… The NGO Mirai Smile Delivery Team will help you dress in a yukata for free. We will also lend one to those who do not own one or who lost theirs in the earthquake or heavy rain.
[Cooperating/Supporting Companies] Food Stall Participants: Kanazawa Maimon Sushi Group, GoGo Curry Group, Torikizoku (Eternal Hospitality Japan Co., Ltd.) *Titles omitted, listed in alphabetical order Bread Eating Competition: Ippan (Ippan) Bread Eating Competition Association (in preparation for establishment)/Kimuraya Sohonten *Titles omitted, listed in alphabetical order Product Sponsors: Apricot System Co., Ltd., APA Hotels & Resorts, Hokuriku Confectionery Co., Ltd., Happy Japan Project NPO, MOS Food Services Co., Ltd., Apricot System Co., Ltd., Yuraku Confectionery Co., Ltd. *Titles omitted, listed in alphabetical order Yukata Dressing and Rental Provided by: NGO Mirai ~ Smile Delivery Team ~ Yoko Sawa Sponsor: TOSYO Corporation
*Sponsorship money from companies and organizations will be donated in full, excluding expenses. [Executive committee members] Lyrics, composition, and vocals: nishi-ken Choreography, instruction, and dancing: Mariko Takafuji, Ukon Takafuji, Noriko Namie Public relations and creative production: Shihori Shibuya Sponsor/Partnership: Yukie Kinoshita Planner/Initiator/Government/Community Partnership: Mayumi Tachikawa
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/139572/3/139572-3-b160e761ff24b2b4f2efe9c53b9d2b8b-583×171.jpg WAJOY Association for the International Promotion of Japanese Crafts (General Incorporated Association) Address: Tanaka Kosan Building, 3-5-2 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Representative: Representative Director Mayumi Tachikawa Phone number: 090-2762-7370 Email address: info@wajoy.net Based in Ishikawa Prefecture, Wajoy is a general incorporated association promoting Japanese traditional crafts and culture both domestically and internationally. We are also committed to supporting the recovery efforts following the Noto Peninsula earthquake, creating spaces for “connection” and “regeneration” through collaboration with a wide range of artists in the arts, performing arts, and music. Our project, “Bon Dance Connecting Noto,” connects Tokyo-based Ishikawa natives with local residents of Wajima City, launching a new cultural event with the children who will lead the future. Press Release Inquiries Noto Bon-Odori Fest Executive Committee info@notobbf.net (always available) Founder: Mayumi Tachikawa (Representative Director, WAJOY International Association for the Promotion of Japanese Crafts) TEL: 090-2762-7370 (Connected from October 3rd onwards) Venue: Wajima Cabule (Contact: Ura) 2-208 Kawai-cho, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture TEL: 0768-23-4890 [Official website/SNS] Official website: https://notobbf.net Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/noto_bon X (old Twitter): https://x.com/noto_bon Copyright ©
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