{"id":17451,"date":"2017-11-28T12:38:53","date_gmt":"2017-11-28T12:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=17451"},"modified":"2017-11-24T15:35:54","modified_gmt":"2017-11-24T15:35:54","slug":"awa-odori-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/28\/awa-odori-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"5 reasons to visit Tokushima\u2019s Awa Odori Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17451&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17451\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17451&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17451&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17451%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17451\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17451\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><strong>In August, Tokushima&#8217;s sleepy streets come alive with the bright lights, live music and general revelry of the Awa Odori Festival. While summer is the season for festivals across the country, this one is pretty darn special. Travel consultant Lucy braced herself for the festivities.\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<!--more--><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17457 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-720x333.jpg\" alt=\"Awa Odori Festival dancers\" width=\"720\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-720x333.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-768x356.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-1024x474.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-564x261.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-1200x556.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-900x417.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-1440x667.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-390x181.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-780x361.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-2-510x236.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Every August, the sleepy prefecture of Tokushima celebrates the Japanese period of <em>Obon<\/em> with the Awa Odori Festival, one of the largest dance festivals in the world. Attracting over a million visitors every year, preparations begin months in advance.\u00a0From as early as April, groups of young dancers can be found practicing in parks around the city with the familiar music ringing out late into the night.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, Tokushima is often overlooked by visitors to Japan. Here are five reasons why this unforgettable festival should be part of your Japan plans in August 2018.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17454 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Aw-odori-1-e1610024475810.jpg\" alt=\"Awa Odori Festival dancers\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>1) The atmosphere<\/h2>\n<p>The excitement begins before you even arrive in Tokushima! Whether you\u2019re travelling by train, bus, or ferry, chances are that you will pass dancers and musicians making their way to the city; all dressed up in extravagant costumes. Stepping into the streets, you\u2019ll soon spot groups of the t Awa Odori Festival dancers &#8211; known as <em>ren<\/em> \u2013 already getting started.<\/p>\n<p>These are just hints of what is to come after dark! Enormous stages are set up throughout the streets and on floating stages in the river. Smaller, informal stages line the downtown area in preparation for the evening. The excitement of the dancers and musicians is infectious, particularly as the musicians speed up to keep the dancers \u2013 quite literally \u2013 on their toes!<\/p>\n<p>It won\u2019t be long before you\u2019re dancing through the streets amongst the spontaneous performances downtown.<\/p>\n<h2>2) The spectacle<\/h2>\n<p>If watching thousands of <em>yukata<\/em>-clad dancers make their way in unison through a city to the beat of thundering drums wasn\u2019t on your \u2018must-see\u2019 list, it should be! Each group has their own individual chant, and two dance group often compete for the loudest chants and the fastest dancing. You may find yourself joining in with the sporadic, \u201cYATTOSA YATTOSA\u201d throughout the festival!<\/p>\n<p>The longest stages are hundreds of metres long; grab a tiered seat above to get some of the best views.<\/p>\n<h2>3) Dances like no other!<\/h2>\n<p>The best dancers make the fast movements appear effortless; this becomes even more impressive when you spot the women\u2019s formidably high wooden shoes. The <em>yukatas<\/em>\u00a0are made up of over four layers, and tied tightly with intricately knotted <em>obi;<\/em> combined with the summer heat and humidity, the hours of dancing provide quite the workout!<\/p>\n<p>Although men aren\u2019t quite so restricted, their dances require low movements with leaps, jumps, and everything in between. You can bet there are some burning muscles at the end of the longest stages. With <em>rens<\/em>\u00a0coming from all over Japan, performances are the result of hours and hours of practice (usually at the expense of a few toenails).<\/p>\n<p>The areas outside of the main stages play host to more informal dances where audience participation is encouraged. Don&#8217;t be shy to get involved!<\/p>\n<h2>4) The music<\/h2>\n<p>Music makes up the very heart of the festival, and every\u00a0<em>ren<\/em> has its own musicians playing drums, <em>shamisen<\/em>, Japanese flutes and more. The music dictates the pace of the dance and it often seems to reach impossible speeds! Each group has\u00a0regional variations, and the more modern rely on drums. Some of these can weigh up to 35kg, take a look at the drummers&#8217; expressions as they keep up the formidable pace \u2013 it certainly takes its toll on their forearms!<\/p>\n<h2>5) The motto at the heart of the Awa Odori Festival<\/h2>\n<p>Finally, it is the motto at the very heart of the festival that I think makes Awa Odori so special, so we\u2019ll end with this:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cYou\u2019re a fool if you dance, you\u2019re a fool if you watch\u2026 so you might as well dance!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17455 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-720x333.jpg\" alt=\"Tokushima dancers\" width=\"720\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-720x333.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-768x356.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-1024x474.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-564x261.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-1200x556.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-900x417.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-1440x667.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-390x181.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-780x361.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/fst001-510x236.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>If you&#8217;re ready to get into the spirit of the\u00a0<em>ren,<\/em>\u00a0plan a trip to Tokushima on our <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/SecretsofShikoku\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Secrets of Shikoku<\/a> self-guided itinerary.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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Help us by sharing it! In August, Tokushima&#8217;s sleepy streets come alive with the bright lights, live music and general revelry of the Awa Odori Festival. While summer is the season for festivals across the country, this one is pretty darn special. Travel consultant Lucy braced herself for the festivities.\u00a0 Like this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2365,2360,2361],"tags":[1688,3474,3477],"class_list":["post-17451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-festivals-events-in-japan","category-travellers-tales-from-japan","category-when-to-go-to-japan","tag-japan-festivals","tag-tokushima-festival","tag-awa-odori-festival"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17451"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17467,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17451\/revisions\/17467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}