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You can watch and learn Awa Odori, a dance that attracts 1.2 million people, whenever you like!
"Awa Odori" is one of the three most popular Bon dances in Japan. During four days from August 12th to the 15th every year, the dance features about 100 thousand dancers and attracts an audience of 1.2 million. The roots of this dance go back to about 400 years from now. The dance always reflects the times and is still loved by the people of Tokushima.
At the Awa Odori Festival Hall (Awa Odori Kaikan), you can enjoy watching the dance and learning Awa Odori's history any time of the year.
Don’t forget to take your picture at the photo stand-in (face in the hole board)!
The seats are arranged in a half-circle so that you can see the performance clearly from any seat.
Dancers appear on stage, dancing along to the cheerful Ohayashi (music), lightening the atmosphere.
Musical instruments are introduced. Every single sound contributes to the excitement of the whole piece.
It's not that easy to stretch the same arm and leg at the same time...
One of the male dances is the dynamic and fierce “Abare Odori (Violent Dance).”
Don’t miss the beautifully matched movements of the female dances!
There is also a display of costumes, fans, lanterns, and other props from famous Ren (Awa Odori groups).
The entrance of the museum is a great place to take pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Is foreign language support available? (If possible, please let us know the supported languages)
In the 2nd floor Awa Odori Hall (hosted by Awa no Kaze performance MC), subtitles are available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
Q
Is foreign language support available? (If possible, please let us know the supported languages)
In the museum on the 3rd floor, support is available in English and Chinese by scanning the QR code provided.
Q
What kind of dress is appropriate?
There is no dress code restriction for using the Awa Odori Kaikan.
Q
Is it possible to participate without a reservation?
If you are an individual visitor with a group of up to 19 people, no reservation is required.
(For groups of 20 people or more, a reservation is necessary)
Partially translated by AI.
A must-see traditional cultural experience in Tokushima! You can not only watch the performances but also join in yourself. Super interesting.
The Awa Odori festival is held every August. It's hard to visit right during the festival, but at the Awa Odori Festival Hall, you can watch authentic performances anytime!
They explain the differences between the men's and women's dances, and the instruments that bring the dance to life.
At the end, there's even a dance lesson. Trying it myself, I realized it's surprisingly tricky!
Now I really want to dance in the actual festival someday!
The pavilion in front of the hall really captures the Awa Odori vibe. At the end of the show, the dancers invite the audience up on stage—such an unforgettable experience!
Inside the hall, you can check out explanations about Awa Odori instruments and costumes. There's also a dance lesson where the audience can join in and have fun together. The most unique dancers from the audience even get a small gift! It's a really joyful dance experience for everyone.
