The amazing Koenji Awa-Odori street dance festival is making a full comeback this year
One of the most popular street dance festivals in Tokyo, Koenji's Awa-Odori is back in all its glory this summer after three years of cancellations and curtailments due to the pandemic. This year, the celebration will feature 164 Awa-Odori dance groups parading around Koenji Station’s North-South shotengai shopping street and Konan-dori street over the August 26-27 weekend.
The tradition of Awa-Odori can be traced back to Tokushima in Shikoku. Legend has it that the local daimyo plied his citizens with booze to celebrate the completion of the local castle in 1586, leading to a citywide outbreak of dancing in the streets. Whatever the accuracy of that tale, the enthusiasm was contagious, and Koenji has been holding a street dance fest of its own since 1957.
While the action starts at 5pm, you'll need to arrive much earlier if you want to snag one of the best viewing spots along the two streets mentioned above.