Center of Japan Shibukawa Belly Button Festival

About this event

Shibukawa City is located near the center of Gunma Prefecture and has prospered as a post town and market town since ancient times. Triggered by the adoption of the city catchphrase 'Green Shibukawa in the Center of Japan,' awareness of being the center of Japan grew, leading to the formation of the 'Shibukawa Belly Button Festival Executive Committee' in 1984, when the 1st festival was held. Since then, it has been held annually and has become established as a summer festival of Shibukawa. The greatest highlight is the 'Belly Dance (Hara Odori),' danced with pictures drawn on the belly to the chant of 'Heso Dase Yoi Yoi.' This unique dance has been featured in numerous media as a summer tradition of Shibukawa, making it the city's representative festival visited by large crowds of tourists from inside and outside the prefecture. Anyone can join the Belly Dance Parade on the spot without prior registration.

Venue

Shinmachi Five-Way Intersection

Shinmachi Gosaro, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0008