Japanese ondō: a seasonal tradition everyone can enjoy.

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 OndoPizzicato Five

“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 Katsutaro

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.

Tokyo OndoKouta Katsutaro

Kouta Katsutaro – Tokyo Ondo, Original Singer; Japanese Enka and Karaoke; Chinese Translations & Commentary

The famous “Tokyo Ondo,” recorded in 1933, is performed here by its original singer, Kouta Katsutaro.

You can enjoy this now-rare footage.

Beyond Bon Odori festivals, the song is also well known as a fight song for the professional baseball team, the Yakult Swallows.

Shimokita OndoMaran Maracas Band

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 Theme Song MV (English subtitled)

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.