The Awa Odori (阿波踊り) dance is one of the three Obon dances, and is performed to accompanying shamisen, taiko and flute music. During the festival period, a wide area of the town turns into a pedestrian paradise with dance stages built at various locations, some of which are even free of charge. The atmosphere heats up when even spectators join the parade. The festival draws crowds from all over Japan, with numbers reaching as high as 1.35 million visitors. The dance performances run from 6:00pm to round about 10:30pm.
See also: our featured article: The Dance of Fools - Awa Odori
| The southern area of Tokushima Station, Tokushima prefecture |
| Access from Tokyo 80 min from Haneda Airport (Tokyo) to Tokushima Awaodori Airport (Tokushima). 30 min by bus from the airport to JR Tokushima Sta. |
| August 12 - 15 every year |
| Website: Awa Odori (Tokushima City website, in English) |
Awa Odori |
