Gujo dance festival comes to a climax

A traditional summer dance festival has reached its climax in the city of Gujo in central Japan.
Thousands danced all through the hot summer night.

The Gujo Odori festival dates back about 400 years.
It is held every year from July to September in an old town in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. The festival is designated as an "Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property" by the national government.

The highlight is 4 consecutive nights of all-night dancing, which began on Saturday.

68,000 locals and tourists, including foreigners, gathered for the festival. People wearing yukata, a cotton kimono, danced to the music of Japanese flutes and drums.

Organizers expect about 200-thousand people will come to the festival.