Koenji Awa Odori Dance FestivalWhat kind of place is it?
Originating in 1957 to promote local shopping streets, this Awa Odori is a nationally famous Tokyo summer tradition. Boasting a scale second only to the home of Awa Odori in Tokushima, it is held over two days on the last weekend of August. The entire town is enveloped in excitement with over 10,000 dancers in groups called 'ren' and nearly 1 million spectators.
Usage Guide (Hours, Fees, etc.)
Fees & Estimated Time
Viewing on the streets is free. Paid seating is also available for more comfortable viewing, which requires advance reservation. Stage performances held during the day (e.g., at Za-Koenji Public Theatre) are also ticketed. You can enjoy the festival sufficiently in 1-2 hours, but allow about 3 hours if you want to visit multiple performance areas.
Schedule
The festival is held annually on the last Saturday and Sunday of August. The street dancing performances run from 17:00 to 20:00. Stage performances are held during the daytime. *Details may change depending on the year, so be sure to check the official website for the latest information.
Highlights & How to Enjoy
The main attraction is the unique performances by about 150 'ren' (groups) at eight stages set up in the shopping streets around Koenji Station. The proximity to the dancers allows you to feel the breath and power of the dynamic men's dance and the elegant women's dance up close. During the day, there are also paid stage performances in halls, where you can sit and carefully watch highly artistic dances by select groups.
Crowd Information & Tips for a Better Visit
Both days of the festival are extremely crowded from around the station to the performance areas, with the peak time being between 17:00 and 19:00. To avoid the congestion at JR Koenji Station, using the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line's Shin-Koenji Station, a short walk away, is a good option. Performance areas farther from the station tend to be relatively less crowded. The station becomes very congested when returning home, so it is recommended to start moving a little before the festival ends.
Access & Map
Access by Train/Bus / Access by Car
Map
Address: Around Koenji Minami 2,3,4-chome and Koenji Kita 2,3-chome, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
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