Awa Odori Festival

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The "Awa Odori," held every August mainly in Tokushima City, is one of Japan's largest Bon Odori festivals boasting over 400 years of history. As the famous phrase goes, "Dancing fools and watching fools; since both are fools, you might as well dance!", the entire city is enveloped in a two-beat "Yoshiko-no" rhythm and swept into a whirlwind of enthusiasm. The elegant "Onna Odori" (women's dance) of women wearing matching yukata and deep braided hats, combined with the powerful and humorous "Otoko Odori" (men's dance), is simply spectacular. A major highlight is that visitors can join the "Niwaka-ren" (impromptu groups) to dance together rather than just watching. Even outside the festival season, you can watch and experience authentic dancing every day at the "Awa Odori Kaikan" in Tokushima City. It is a soul festival brimming with energy that Tokushima is proud to show the world.