Photo/Illutration People dance through the night in the traditional Gujo “odori” dance festival on Aug. 13 in Gujo, Gifu Prefecture. (Kazuhiro Nagashima)

GUJO, Gifu Prefecture--Gujo city’s iconic, all-night dance festival returned to the streets on Aug. 13 for the first time in four years, drawing thousands of revelers from inside and outside the prefecture.

Despite the drizzling rain, people in colorful “yukata” danced until the break of dawn, swinging to the music of traditional instruments.

Gujo’s lively “odori” dance festival dates back more than four centuries and is on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. The festivities, which span all the way from July to September, peak on Aug. 13 through 16 when participants dance throughout the night.

This year, the famed festival is held in full scale for the first time since 2019, after COVID-19 restrictions were finally lifted.

The night drew a crowd of 65,000, the same level as pre-pandemic years, according to organizers.

However, the approach of Typhoon No. 7 threatens to dampen the festivities. Organizers said they might have to cancel the rest of the all-night dances depending on how the typhoon develops.

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