Resonating Sounds
from Lands
that Invigorate Life

Festivals and local performing arts are inclusive gatherings where lives of all kinds, crossing generations and social positions, can come together. These celebrations are not only human-centered; they are held in harmony with forests, the land, rice fields, rivers, and the sea. The music and rituals passed down through generations are expressions of the vibrant and diverse life rooted in each land. Behind these expressions lie joy, sorrow, struggle, and smiles.

Let us introduce 17 festivals and folk performing arts from across Japan, including those of the Ainu people, along with 4 from other parts of the world that also appear in the immersive 360° visual and acoustic experience “Celebrating Myself” at the Jellyfish Pavilion in the Roots of Life exhibit. Each is a gem, an extraordinary cultural treasure.

Unlike mainstream entertainment, these are living traditions sustained by collective participation and collaboration within each community.

We invite you to someday visit these lands and experience them with your whole body and soul.