Awa Odori Dance Festival
Japan's most famous dance festival: 100,000 dancers and a million spectators fill Tokushima with rhythm every August.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/08/12 09:00 – 2026/08/15
- Where
- Central Tokushima City, Shikoku（Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- Walk from JR Tokushima Stn
- Price
- Free
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Walk from JR Tokushima Stn Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, groups of friends, music fans
Highlights
- Synchronized 'ren' dance troupes in colorful costume
- Hypnotic shamisen, drum and flute rhythms
- The famous chant: 'The dancing fool and the watching fool...'
Background & story
With over 400 years of history, Awa Odori is a Bon-dance tradition unique to Tokushima, now performed nationwide each summer.
Good to know
Audience members can often join the 'niwaka-ren' open dance groups — no experience needed, just follow along.