Held at Shibuya Stream Hall and the nearby Inaribashi Plaza, the event features a lineup that blends the roots of Tokushima’s centuries-old tradition with the dynamic energy of Japan’s largest metropolis. The highlight is the appearance of the prestigious Senbatsuren, a hand-picked team of top dancers from Tokushima’s most celebrated groups. Their performances, honed to perfection, are known to move audiences with their power, grace, and unrelenting rhythm.

This immersive experience is designed for comfort as well as culture: indoor seating with reserved tickets means you’ll enjoy every moment without worrying about the weather. And after the show, guests can enjoy a talk session with the dancers, plus food and drinks in the hospitality lounge.

The celebration doesn’t stop with Tokushima. The two largest Awa Odori festivals in the Kanto region — Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori and Minami Koshigaya Awa Odori — are sending specially formed teams to energize the venue. These handpicked dancers, many from younger generations, will perform at various times across multiple floors of the venue and at the open-air plaza, transforming Shibuya into a vibrant dance zone.

Festival-goers can also enjoy regional food trucks offering Tokushima specialties like sea bream salt ramen and ice cream, browse a display of historic Awa Odori posters, and discover Tokushima’s charms through local crafts and tourism info.

If this Shibuya preview whets your appetite, there's no substitute for seeing the Awa Odori in its birthplace: Tokushima City.

Every August 12–15, the streets come alive with thousands of dancers, musicians, and over a million spectators in a whirlwind of joyful chaos. You’ll see dozens of ren (dance troupes) parading down the streets, each with their own costumes, instruments, and spirited chants of “Yatto-sa!”

In addition to the nightly parades, Tokushima offers daytime stage performances, dance workshops, and vibrant local markets. For the full experience, plan to arrive early and explore cultural attractions like Awa Odori Kaikan, where you can even learn the moves yourself.

The Tokushima Awa Odori takes place mainly in central Tokushima City. Dance stages and event areas are set up south of JR Tokushima Station, including Ryogoku Honcho, Shinmachibashi, Aibahama, Minamiuchimachi, and Konyamachi.

If you're in Japan in August, make your way to Tokushima — where the rhythm doesn’t just entertain, it welcomes you into its dance.

Lean more about Awa Odori at the official website (in Japanese): https://www.awaodorimirai.com/.

Join an Awa Odori Dance Festival tour for guided insights and the best views of Tokushima’s lively summer celebration.