🎎 Tokyo Koenji Awa Dance東京高円寺阿波おどり

In 1957, the first "Koenji Awa Dance" was held, and today, the "Tokyo Koenji Awa Dance" attracts over a million tourists each year. Among the various "Awa Dances" held across Japan, the Tokyo Koenji Awa Dance is second in scale only to its birthplace, Tokushima Prefecture, and has now become one of the representative summer traditions of Tokyo. The Tokyo Koenji Awa Dance takes place on the last weekend of August every year. Eight locations, including the area around the station and shopping streets, serve as performance venues where "participating groups" parade through each venue, showcasing their dance. Each "group" features dancers dressed in unique costumes, moving to the rhythm of shamisen and taiko drums while energetically shouting "yattosa! yattosa!" creating a spectacular scene. On the same day, the theater "Za Koenji" also hosts stage performances (paid) that complement the festival activities, allowing the audience to enjoy dance arrangements and styles that are distinctly different from the outdoor performances. After enjoying the performances, why not join in the vibrant outdoor dance and immerse yourself in the charm of Koenji?

Starting in 1957, it has a proud history of over 60 years. The scale of the event is second only to the Awa Odori in its birthplace, Tokushima, attracting nearly a million visitors each year. In addition to multiple performance venues around Koenji Station, there are also paid stage performances. During the day, there are stage performances, while at night, there are outdoor and all-day Awa Odori performances.