“Tokyo Bon 2020” is a video with over 100 million views on YouTube. It was released in 2017, but it still feels fresh and very entertaining.
Created by Namewee, a Malaysian artist
Namewee is a Malaysian artist known for mixing humor, satire, and cultural themes in his work.
The video starts with a foreign tourist who doesn’t speak Japanese asking a local woman, “Do you know any good restaurants around here?” Her reply is full of so-called “Japanglish” (Japanese-made English).
The song blends this Japanglish with Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese dance, creating a fun and slightly offbeat version of Japanese culture from an outsider’s perspective.
Namewee is both a singer and a filmmaker. His work often includes social commentary and cultural humor. He sometimes sparks controversy, but that also helps his content go viral.
Because the song is filled with Japanglish, it’s especially enjoyable for people traveling to Japan or anyone interested in Japanese culture. The lyrics themselves are written in Japanglish, and the track is available on iTunes under the title “Makudonarudo.”
The choreography was created by Ukon Takafuji
The choreography was created by Ukon Takafuji, a Japanese traditional dancer from a family with over 100 years of history in Kanazawa. Despite his strong traditional background, his style is very free and energetic.
His philosophy is simple: tradition shouldn’t be something stiff or difficult—it should be fun and shared by everyone. He believes Bon Odori can work as a universal form of communication that goes beyond language barriers. In collaboration with JICA, he has helped create local Bon Odori dances in different parts of the world.
His goal is to bring people together in one circle, regardless of nationality or culture. While people are dancing together, no conflict arises. There is also a message of peace behind his work.
His choreography is very simple, with almost no difficult steps. Just by copying the movements, anyone can quickly join in and feel part of the group.
It’s a fun and engaging video where you can learn about Japanese culture and language at the same time.
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