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Event Guide · Chugoku & Shikoku

Awa Odori

AugustTokushima, Naruto & Iya
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Overview

Overview

Tokushima’s proud traditional performing art, said to have a history of more than 400 years. For five days every year from August 11 to 15, ren (dance groups) dance one after another through the performance venues and dance plazas of central Tokushima, drawing more than 1 million visitors from Japan and abroad.

When
Every year August 11–15
Venue
Central Tokushima City (paid performance venues at Aibahama, Minami-Uchimachi and Konyamachi; free venues at Ryogoku-Honmachi and Shinmachibashi; dance plazas and more)
Official website
https://www.awaodorimirai.com/
Highlights

Highlights

The sight of ren entering the venues one after another is breathtaking: the men’s dance, performed powerfully in a low stance, and the women’s dance, performed gracefully in woven straw hats, all to the music of shamisen, bells and drums. At the paid venues with tiered seating you can watch famous ren head-on, while the free venues and dance plazas let you feel the energy of the streets up close.

Times

Times

Takumi no Butai Masaribi (indoor, paid)12:00 / 15:30 / 19:00

August 11, ASTY Tokushima. About 80 minutes per show. Official information for 2026

Yume no Butai Matsuribi (indoor, paid)11:00 / 13:30 / 16:00

August 12–15, Awagin Hall. About 70 minutes per show. Official information for 2026

Paid performance venues (Aibahama, Minami-Uchimachi, Konyamachi)Part 1 18:00–19:40 / Part 2 20:20–22:00

August 12–15. Official information for 2026

Free performance venues (Ryogoku-Honmachi, Shinmachibashi)18:10–22:00

August 12–15. Official information for 2026

Dance plazas (Shinmachibashi East, Ryogokubashi South)18:00–22:00

August 12–15. Official information for 2026

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓In 2026, general sales of paid venue tickets began at 10:00 on July 1. Seat types include SS seats 6,000 yen, S seats 3,000 yen, A seats 2,500 yen, B seats 2,000 yen and C unreserved seats 1,000 yen (official information for 2026)
  • ✓The performance venues run in two parts, Part 1 (from 18:00) and Part 2 (from 20:20). In the daytime you can watch the dancing at indoor stage shows (Masaribi on the 11th, Matsuribi on the 12th–15th)
  • ✓Information on the ‘Niwaka-ren,’ which lets tourists join the dancing, is also posted on the official website. Check official information each year for how to take part
  • ✓Even outside the festival, you can see Awa Odori performances at the Awa Odori Kaikan, about 10 min on foot from Tokushima Station (evening show from 20:00, adults 1,600 yen)
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • JR Tokushima StationAbout 5–15 min on foot (to each venue)The performance venues are scattered around the city center near Tokushima Station
From major stations
  • Tokushima Station: Walk to each performance venue (About 5–15 min)
Extra buses & shuttles
In 2026, shuttle buses ran from parking lots such as the Marine Terminal (16:00–22:45, 300 yen per ride for elementary school age and up). If you drive, use reservable parking or temporary parking (2,000 yen per car) (official information for 2026)
Getting back
  • In 2026, JR Shikoku ran extra trains from Tokushima Station on the nights of August 12–15 (departing around 22:00–23:37, 32 trains in total). Check JR Shikoku for the latest operating plans
  • Tokushima Bus and Tokushima City Bus also run extra services and detours due to traffic restrictions, so check the transport information page on the official website
  • Parking lots inside the traffic restriction zone cannot be entered during restriction hours (exiting is possible)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Early evening to night on August 12–15 (performance venues 18:00–22:00)
Quieter times
During the daytime indoor shows
Saving a spot
At paid venues, buying a reserved seat in advance means no need to save a spot
Time needed
About 1 hour 40 minutes per part at the paid venues
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Tokushima’s August normals are a high of 32.3°C and a low of 24.9°C. Even at night it stays hot and humid
What to wear
Breathable summer clothes or a yukata. A paper fan, drinks and a towel for sweat are handy. Watch out for heatstroke
Rain, snow & typhoons
Check official announcements on whether the festival goes ahead in stormy weather
Where to check for cancellations
Awa Odori official website (https://www.awaodorimirai.com/), Awa Odori Mirai e Tsunagu Executive Committee (088-678-5181)
☁ Chugoku & Shikoku weather in August →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not cut into the ren’s path or dance lines. If you want to join in, do so where directed, such as with the Niwaka-ren
  • !Take your trash home, or sort it and put it in the designated places
  • !Along crowded streets, avoid stopping in the way or taking photos in ways that disrupt others
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Temporary toilets around the venues and those in commercial facilities get crowded, so go early
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers around Tokushima Station fill up quickly during the festival. It’s best to leave luggage at your accommodation before coming
Paying at food stalls
Some street stalls may be cash only, so bring cash as well
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs around Tokushima Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
For seat types at paid venues and wheelchair viewing, contact the ticket seller or the executive committee
Food

Food

Local favorites
Tokushima ramenSudachi citrusNaruto Kintoki sweet potatoesAwaodori chicken
Vegetarian & halal
Street stalls rarely label vegetarian or halal options, so it helps to look up nearby restaurants in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Mid-August coincides with Obon, and accommodation in Tokushima City gets extremely busy. Book early or consider staying in nearby towns

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Awa OdoriPR

PRSee more places to stay near Awa Odori on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Tokushima, Naruto & Iya

Experience

Onaruto Bridge Walkway Uzu-no-Michi

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Naruto, Tokushima

A 450m-long walkway built inside the girders of the Onaruto Bridge. From 45m above the sea, you can look straight down on the whirlpools of the Naruto Strait. It's a Tokushima Prefecture facility inside Naruto Park and can be visited together with the neighboring Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall Eddy.

See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Chugoku & Shikoku

April

Kintaikyo Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hagi, Tsunoshima & Akiyoshidai

Every year April 29 (Showa Day)

July–August

Kangensai Festival at Itsukushima Shrine

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima

Every year on the 17th day of the 6th lunar month (between July and early August on the modern calendar, depending on the year)

August

Tottori Shan-Shan Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Tottori

Every year August 13–15 (eve festival on the 13th, mass umbrella dance on the 14th, Civic Summer Fireworks Festival on the 15th)

August

Yosakoi Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Kochi & Shimanto

Every year August 9–12 (eve festival on the 9th, main festival on the 10th and 11th, national contest and after-party on the 12th)

October

Kotohiragu Shrine Annual Grand Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Takamatsu, Naoshima & Shodoshima

Every year October 9–11 (mikoshi procession on the night of the 10th, return procession on the night of the 11th)

2026 (Reiwa 8): Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 11 (Sun); mikoshi procession from 21:00 on the 10th

October

Matsuyama Autumn Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen

Every year October 5–7 (Yoimiya on the 5th, main festival on the 6th, Honmiya on the 7th; the hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station is early in the morning of the 7th)

2026: Oct 5 (Mon) – Oct 7 (Wed); hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station early in the morning of the 7th

November

Kamiarisai at Izumo Taisha

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Izumo & Matsue

Every year on the 10th to 17th days of the 10th lunar month (varies by year on the modern calendar, usually around November)

2026: Nov 18 (Wed) Kamimukaesai – Nov 25 (Wed) Karasadesai

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

PRKlookNaruto Whirlpools, Awaji Island & Awa Odori Experience Day Tour (from Osaka)See the Naruto whirlpools and Awaji Island, and enjoy a dance performance at the Awa Odori KaikanView