Awa Odori阿波おどり

A traditional performing art of Tokushima said to have more than 400 years of history. For four days over Obon, the centre of Tokushima City is given over to dance.

Awa Odori is Tokushima's traditional dance, performed by groups called ren who dance their way forward to an ensemble led by the shamisen, with large and small drums, gongs, flutes and hand drums. Ren range from long-established famous groups to company and student troupes. In Tokushima City the dancing fills performance venues and dance plazas across the centre every year from August 12 to 15.

Tokushima Prefecture presents several theories of origin: that townspeople danced to celebrate the completion of Tokushima Castle by Hachisuka Iemasa in 1587; that it derives from a furyu dance held at Shozui Castle in 1578, as recorded in the 1663 chronicle Miyoshi-ki; and that it grew out of the Bon dances of the seventh lunar month.

Source: 徳島県(external site, opens in a new tab) / 徳島市(external site, opens in a new tab)

As the Bon-dance theory of its origin suggests, Awa Odori has long been danced at Obon. Ren are formed around neighbourhoods, workplaces and schools, each carrying on its own style of dance and music.

1. 01

   Ren dancing through the venues

   Each ren dances its way through the venues with its musicians.

2. 02

   Narimono (musical accompaniment)

   Shamisen, large and small drums, gongs, flutes and hand drums drive the dance.

3. 03

   Performance venues and dance plazas

   Paid and free performance venues and open dance plazas are set up around the city.

Dancers perform in groups called ren.

• Awa Odori【公式】2026阿波おどり_8月15日

• Awa Odori【公式】2026阿波おどり_8月12日

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There are paid venues (such as Aibahama, Minami-Uchimachi and Konyamachi), free venues and open dance plazas, all within walking distance of JR Tokushima Station. The organising committee announces decisions on weather-related changes, so check the official site for the latest information.

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — awaodorimirai.com(external site, opens in a new tab)

• Do not obstruct the dancers
• Follow the directions of stewards

1. 1.阿波おどり｜ようこそ徳島県へ(external site, opens in a new tab)徳島県 · Accessed 2026-09-26
2. 2.阿波おどり：徳島市公式ウェブサイト(external site, opens in a new tab)徳島市 · Accessed 2026-09-26
3. 3.2026 開催スケジュール | The Awaodori(external site, opens in a new tab)阿波おどり未来へつなぐ実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
4. 4.徳島市阿波おどり THE AWAODORI | 徳島県観光情報サイト阿波ナビ(external site, opens in a new tab)徳島県観光協会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
5. 5.「風流踊」のユネスコ無形文化遺産登録（代表一覧表記載）(external site, opens in a new tab)文化庁 · Accessed 2026-09-26

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  The Mizutamaren troupe dances in formation beneath lantern banners at the Awa Odori in Tokushima

  Photographer

  Ann Lee

  Source

  Awa Odori by Mizutamaren "水玉連" - Aug 13, 2018 (1).jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

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  Women dancers in pink kimono and straw amigasa hats move mid-step through a Tokushima street at night

  Photographer

  Rosino

  Source

  Awa-odori 2008 Tokushima.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  A line of Awa Odori women dancers in straw hats raising their hands in unison

  Photographer

  Rosino

  Source

  Awa-odori 2008 Tokushima 03.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  Male Awa Odori dancers improvise beneath strings of paper lanterns in Tokushima at night

  Photographer

  いんだそ

  Source

  徳島県徳島市 自由な阿波踊り.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 4.0(external site, opens in a new tab)