Awa Odori
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
79 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
19
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Steveqld
Brisbane, Australia68 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
I cannot believe this festival has no english anguage reviews. It is reported on some websites as being the number 1 festival in Japan with 1,000,000 visitors to Tokushima and I can see why.
We planned this visit several months ago but all the accommodation in Tokushima books out months in advance so we stayed at Takamatsu and travelled down by train last Friday as they set up. We enjoyed ourselves so much we went back on the Saturday for a second look.
The entire city center is blocked to all but pedestrians with foodstalls along the riverbank andsome main streets. Six stages are set up with 2 of these being free and 4 for paying seats. I can only comment on the stage along the river and closest to the railway station. Seats cost about $AU12 for area C to about $AU26 for area A.
This held about 4000 seats in 3 areas. Areas A and B were sold out so we had to settle for C. This is where the performers march into the stage. You get a decent view of the performers but by the time the group has marched in the dancers are closest to area B and this is where they do a dance routine so if possible always go with area A or B. We got our tickets from the information tent set up outside the railway station andthey seem to always have someone who can speak Englsh working.
The dance and parade seems like a mixture of a traditional dance with elements of precision marching, very colourful traditional clothing, lighthearted traditional music with a jovial atmosphere from everyone involved from about 2 years to 80years. The marching and dance is graceful but can become quite frenetic.
During the day various groups put on small displays around the shopping centers and malls. The performers are only too happy to help with photos.
The festival is in August so it is very hot. It would be better to stay in Tokushima and have a shower before the performance but we got by going down from Takamatsu and spending a large part of the day in the airconditioning.
Interestingly when we went back home to Takamatsu late on Saturday night all the trains were packed and the streets gridlocked so they obviously had a large party on as well.
Overall a fantastic event but just a pity it doesn't fall at a cooler time of the year.
We planned this visit several months ago but all the accommodation in Tokushima books out months in advance so we stayed at Takamatsu and travelled down by train last Friday as they set up. We enjoyed ourselves so much we went back on the Saturday for a second look.
The entire city center is blocked to all but pedestrians with foodstalls along the riverbank andsome main streets. Six stages are set up with 2 of these being free and 4 for paying seats. I can only comment on the stage along the river and closest to the railway station. Seats cost about $AU12 for area C to about $AU26 for area A.
This held about 4000 seats in 3 areas. Areas A and B were sold out so we had to settle for C. This is where the performers march into the stage. You get a decent view of the performers but by the time the group has marched in the dancers are closest to area B and this is where they do a dance routine so if possible always go with area A or B. We got our tickets from the information tent set up outside the railway station andthey seem to always have someone who can speak Englsh working.
The dance and parade seems like a mixture of a traditional dance with elements of precision marching, very colourful traditional clothing, lighthearted traditional music with a jovial atmosphere from everyone involved from about 2 years to 80years. The marching and dance is graceful but can become quite frenetic.
During the day various groups put on small displays around the shopping centers and malls. The performers are only too happy to help with photos.
The festival is in August so it is very hot. It would be better to stay in Tokushima and have a shower before the performance but we got by going down from Takamatsu and spending a large part of the day in the airconditioning.
Interestingly when we went back home to Takamatsu late on Saturday night all the trains were packed and the streets gridlocked so they obviously had a large party on as well.
Overall a fantastic event but just a pity it doesn't fall at a cooler time of the year.
Written August 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaineshshah
Manama, Bahrain253 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
The dances performed by various groups at various paid or free stages was one of the awesome experience to get the knowledge of japanese culture. it also had a free flowing people enjoying on the streets with foods and drink.
Written August 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
26waynew
Melbourne, Australia161 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
For an insight into this traditional dance and music plus lots of fun and audience participation this is the place to go in Tokushima. Performers are in various age groups from the very young (and cute) to the more mature dancers who have been performing for years. The commentary and audience participation (voluntary of course) all add to the fun and the experience.
Written May 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AKAshon
Oakville, Canada2,044 contributions
May 2017 • Family
We came to Tokushima on a Friday morning during our cruise stop. Although we didn't see a performance of Awa Odori (traditional Japanese folk dance), we were treated to a performance during a Tokushima farewell 30 minutes from when the ship was going to leave port. And the performance was MESMERIZING! I was caught off guard by how beautiful the performance was! I was captivated, moved, & touched! The dance was at times elegant (with the female dancers) & primal and liberating with the male dancers). Watching the performance up close ignited a flame inside me; a desire to emulate the dance & move among the dancers & become one of them! At the end of the performance, there was an awesome dance party where cruise ship passengers were able to dance awa odori with the performers. Seeing the different people all dancing to the beat of the same drum was quite amazing! After th performance, we all boarded the cruise ship where the dancers began to perform some more when the ship began to leave the port. Due to the distance, the performance wasn't as powerful, but it still was quite something to behold! The awa odori was definitely one of my most favorite things in Japan, along with Udo Shrine in Miyazaki, a sushi conveyor belt restaurant in Tokyo and Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-hi Temple) & Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto!
Written May 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandi B
96 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Make sure you see this event it is so special. The people, music and colour are hypnotising. Fantastic photo opportunity and chance to get amongst the locals
Written August 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ErnestChoy
Hong Kong, China490 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
The 40 minutes Awa odori dance show was held at the nicely decorated stage which could accommodate more than 100 audiences.
The best part of the show was the last 10 minutes. Having trained by the dance instructor for a few minutes, audiences were invited to participate and to dance on stage. The mood was jolly. At the end of the dance, a handful of audiences, regarded by instructor as the outstanding performers, were rewarded with Awa blue scarf, wrapping as a headband. I was proud to witness my wife receiving such honor.
The best part of the show was the last 10 minutes. Having trained by the dance instructor for a few minutes, audiences were invited to participate and to dance on stage. The mood was jolly. At the end of the dance, a handful of audiences, regarded by instructor as the outstanding performers, were rewarded with Awa blue scarf, wrapping as a headband. I was proud to witness my wife receiving such honor.
Written April 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Henry L
151 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Go. Be local and enjoy some local flavors. You don't need to speak Japanese to understand these cultural dances. The one ticket gets you up by cable car to Mt Bizan. You will love the view. Do it.
Written November 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
irmachiguma
Kyoto, Japan
こんにちわ。
期間が12〜15とありますが、
一番 盛り上がる日とか、
そんなのはあるのでしょうか？
全日一緒ですか？
また、気軽に飛び入り参加は
出来るものですか？
Written March 12, 2019
Do you need to purchase tickets in advance (for the stage seating?) or day of the festival is okay?
Written June 16, 2018
Anyone can advise is there any hotel still available near the Awa Odori event area between 12 - 15 Aug 2017 for either 1 night or 2 nights? I've been checking on Jalan and different website with no luck. Is there anyway or anyone can suggest what's the best way for me to secure a hotel room during that period?
Written May 5, 2017
阿波踊りの期間中に、徳島のホテルに宿泊するのは大変難しいです。確実に宿泊するのであれば1年前には予約する必要があります。ただしホテルのウェブサイトで1年先まで予約できるかはわからないので、直接ホテルへ電話して、問い合わせるのが確実です。
Written August 17, 2017
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