Doubly Useful Awa Odori Info: See the Shortcut to Having Fun in Japan!

The Awa Odori of Japan is famous worldwide right now. It’s slightly postponed but there are plans to hold an Awa Odori Paris 2015 too.

Awa Odori originated in Tokushima Prefecture. The Tokushima Awa Odori Festival has a 400-year-old history, lasts for 4 days from 8/12-8/15, has about 1.3 million attendees and about 100,000 dancers. Talk about awesome! lol

So, now I’m going to share some details about Awa Odori. Look forward to the end for some very useful information.

 

Tokushima Awa Odori

1. Soh Odori

総踊り

There’s a variety of styles, called “ren,” within the Awa Odori. Did you know that the dancers’ outfits are different in every line? They’re separated by their “rens” and all dancing together.

 

2. Women’s Dance

女踊り

They’re segregated by gender as well. The women’s dance is quite refined.

 

3. Men’s Dance

男踊り

On the other hand, the men’s dance uses fans and paper lanterns and their dancing is very lively.

 

4. Mixed Styles

混合型

However, even among the women are many with twisted headbands and lively dancing.

 

5. Instruments

鳴り物

Awa Odori isn’t just dancing. The Japanese instruments they play are very important. Shamisen and taiko drums immediately liven up the place.
Official Website: http://www.awanavi.jp/spot/2013032501979/

Awa Odori

 

6. Awa Odori is once a year??

But! Just info on Awa Odori’s no fun! Don’t worry that you can’t see it if you don’t go to Tokushima. Or that you can only see it during the festival period? We have even more news for you!

This is an izakaya in Shinjuku called “Awa Odori”. Authentic Tokushima Awa Odori and cuisine have finally made it to Shinjuku, Tokyo!

Lined up inside are lanterns reminiscent of the festival… a great atmosphere!

You don’t just watch the show, it draws you in too! I can hear the cries of “yattosa!” (a famous phrase used in Awa Odori).

http://www.diamond-dining.com/

And this restaurant has items popular with foreigners like sukiyaki, yakitori, sushi, ramen and matcha mochi to go along with their events, making this a tremendously popular izakaya with foreign tourists.

They’ve received a lot of TV coverage so it’s the perfect place to visit for those who say that want to be on Japanese TV—just kidding! I mean those who want to try the Awa Odori!

And that was our doubly useful Awa Odori-related article!

 

Information: Izakaya Awa Odori

Address: 5F Seno Building, 3-18-4 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station: JR Shinjuku Station East Exit (2 minutes walk), Shinjuku 3-Chome Station on Marunouchi Line (220m)
Open: 17:00 – 23:30 (Mon. – Thurs. & Sun.), 17:00 – next 4:00 (Fri. & Sat.)
Phone: 03-3226-2855
Price: About 4000 – 5000 yen