Key Facts
• The ‘Owara Kaze no Bon’ festival will be held September 1–3 in Toyama City.
• The New York Times listed Toyama as one of ’52 Places to Go in 2025.’
• Toyama ranked 30th, highlighting the festival and the Glass Art Museum.
• The Yatsuo Owara Museum introduced audio guides in English and Chinese.
• QR codes provide multilingual explanations for six exhibits.
• Staff received devices supporting translation in 92 languages.
• 80 Western-style portable toilets were installed, replacing last year’s 78 squat-style units.
• Toyama Station features banners, photo boards, and a local product market.
• Visitor numbers: 190,000 in 2023, 130,000 in 2022 (due to typhoon).
• Attendance in 2025 is expected to be moderate as all festival days fall on weekdays.
Summary
The ‘Owara Kaze no Bon’ festival in Toyama City, scheduled for September 1–3, is gaining international attention after being featured in the New York Times’ ’52 Places to Go in 2025.’ The festival, known for its elegant dances and traditional music, is expected to attract more international visitors. Enhancements include English and Chinese audio guides at the Yatsuo Owara Museum, multilingual translation devices for staff, and improved facilities such as Western-style portable toilets. Toyama Station is also hosting a market to welcome tourists. Despite these efforts, attendance is projected to be moderate due to the festival’s weekday schedule.
