オフィシャル

First, let me explain what a Yukata is.

A Yukata is a lightweight, casual Japanese garment traditionally made of cotton and worn during the summer. To understand why Yukata are so popular, it helps to know a little about Kimono, Japan’s traditional clothing.

Until several decades ago, before Western-style clothing became common, Kimono were everyday clothes for Japanese people. Today, however, very few people wear Kimono as part of their daily lives. They are now mostly worn for special occasions. Kimono made from silk can be incredibly beautiful, but they can also be expensive. Wearing one properly requires some knowledge and skill, and caring for it afterward can also be quite demanding. For these reasons, even for Japanese people, owning and wearing a Kimono is not always easy. For many people, wearing Kimono can feel like a little too much for everyday life.

Yukata, on the other hand, are much more casual and easy to enjoy. They are generally much less expensive than Kimono, and many can simply be washed at home. They are also easier to put on, so some people learn to dress themselves in a Yukata. Many Japanese people wear Yukata to summer festivals, fireworks displays, and Bon Dance festivals, where people gather to dance together in summer. Even people who normally wear Western-style clothes can put on a Yukata and head out to enjoy a summer festival or other event. 

That is one of the charms of Yukata: they allow people to enjoy the beauty and tradition of Japanese clothing without taking it too seriously. In a sense, you could think of a Yukata as a casual way to enjoy traditional Japanese clothing as part of your summer style.

There is also a little wordplay in the name “Yukata de Ginbura.”

“Gin” comes from Ginza, and “bura” comes from the Japanese expression burabura suru, meaning to stroll around casually or wander without a particular purpose. So “Ginbura” basically means strolling around Ginza.

The Japanese expression “burabura suru” has the feeling of taking your time, walking around town, looking into shops, and simply enjoying the atmosphere without having a specific destination or purpose.

Ginza is a glamorous and fascinating part of Tokyo, and almost every street corner has something interesting to see. So you don't necessarily need a particular destination. You can simply take a stroll, make a little detour, and enjoy the city at your own pace.

That is the idea behind “Ginbura.”

“Yukata de Ginbura” began in 2007 as part of an event called Holiday Promenade, which was created to celebrate Ginza’s pedestrian streets. On weekends and public holidays, the main street through Ginza, Chuo-dori, becomes a pedestrian-only street, allowing people to walk freely without cars passing through.

During “Yukata de Ginbura,” this pedestrianized street becomes a stage for enjoying a summer day in Ginza while wearing a Yukata. There are various summer-themed events, including Bon Dance, food stalls, and uchimizu, the traditional Japanese practice of sprinkling water on the street to cool the surroundings.

Walking through glamorous Ginza in a Yukata gives you a slightly different way to experience the city. It is a uniquely Japanese summer event.

One of the highlights of the event is Bon Dance, a traditional Japanese group dance associated with the summer Obon season.

A large wooden tower called a yagura is built in Ginza, both on Chuo-dori and on the rooftop of GINZA SIX. People gather around the yagura and dance together in a circle. The wonderful thing about Bon Dance is that you don't have to be a good dancer. Even if you don't know the steps, you can simply watch the people around you and gradually follow along.

Children, adults, and older people. Japanese people and visitors from other countries. Everyone can join the circle and enjoy dancing together. The point isn't to dance perfectly. It is about listening to the same music, moving together, and enjoying the atmosphere with everyone around you. I think that is one of the great charms of Bon Dance.

Sadly, this year's “Yukata de Ginbura” has already come to an end. But summer Bon Dance festivals are still being held in many parts of Japan. If you have a chance to visit Japan in the summer, why not put on a Yukata and go to a Bon Dance festival? You don't need to know how to dance. Just gather a little courage, step into the circle, and follow the people around you. I'm sure you will feel a little closer to the spirit of a Japanese summer.

And if you visit Tokyo next summer, I hope you'll come to “Yukata de Ginbura” too. Put on a Yukata, stroll through the streets of Ginza, and enjoy the city without any particular destination in mind. That's one of the nicest ways to experience summer in Japan.