Lanterns and music bring color to Tokushima’s summer; Awa Odori envelops the city
Tokushima City Awa Odori
The 2026 edition of Tokushima City Awa Odori has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/11 〜 2026/08/15Ended
- Season / frequency
- August 11–15 / Every year
- Location
- Central Tokushima City, Aste Tokushima, Awagin Hall, paid and free performance venues, and more
- Area
- Tokushima Prefecture・Tokushima City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 15 min–1 h 35 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free performance venues available. The performance venues charge admission; in 2026, variable pricing applies. The special 2nd show at Konya-machi Performance Venue on August 13, 2026 costs 2,000 yen, with unreserved seating throughout.
- Age restrictions
- Free for children under 3 (watching from a guardian’s lap, for example)
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Tokushima City Awa Odori fills the city with dancers and musical accompaniment in the city center. In 2026, a variety of performances were scheduled from August 11 through the 15th at stage shows, performance venues, and free performance venues.
About Tokushima City Awa Odori
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Rosino File:Awa-odori 2008 Tokushima 03.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 Rosino (no file name)Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Rosino File:Awa-odori 2008 Tokushima.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 Rosino (no file name)Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Ka23 13 File:Tokushima 20180815 184811.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Tokushima City Awa Odori is a traditional performing arts festival held every summer in central Tokushima City.
Said to have a history of more than 400 years, it draws many visitors from Japan and abroad.
In addition to stage performances at designated venues, free performance venues and dance plazas are set up, allowing visitors to experience Awa Odori in various parts of the city.
As one of Tokushima’s signature summer events, it brings residents, dancers, and spectators together.
Source: 阿波おどり：徳島市公式ウェブサイト / 徳島市阿波おどり THE AWAODORI | 徳島県観光情報サイト阿波ナビ
Festival highlights
The highlight is the performance, in which the dancers’ movements, musical accompaniment, and costumes come together.
In 2026, the program was announced to include Takumi no Butai Yūribi, featuring around 600 dancers, and Yume no Butai Matsuribi, featuring selected dance troupes.
At the paid performance venues, visitors can watch street parades and group dances, while the free performance venues and dance plazas offer a chance to feel the excitement of Awa Odori in the heart of the city.
Source: 広報とくしま テキスト版 2026年8月1日号：徳島市公式ウェブサイト
Lanterns and music bring color to Tokushima’s summer; Awa Odori envelops the city
What to expect
Visitors can choose daytime stage shows or evening performance venues and enjoy dances presented by different troupes.
In 2026, the program was announced to include Takumi no Butai Yūribi at Aste Tokushima on August 11 and Yume no Butai Matsuribi at Awagin Hall from the 12th through the 15th.
In the evening, performances are held in 2 parts at the paid venues, and performances can also be seen at free performance venues and dance plazas.
How to take part
General spectators can watch Awa Odori at the various dance venues and dance plazas.
Awa Odori is introduced with the phrase, “Raise your hands and move your feet, and you’re doing Awa Odori,” and is considered a dance that is welcoming to first-timers.
However, please check the information for each venue to find out where general visitors can join the dancing in 2026 and whether advance registration is required.
Source: ホーム | The Awaodori
Location and access
- Venue and address
Central Tokushima City.
The main venues include Asty Tokushima, Awagin Hall, paid dance venues, and free dance venues.
- Train and bus
For Asty Tokushima, take the Tokushima City Bus Yamashiro Line to Tokushima Bunri University-mae and walk 5 minutes.
The dance venues and Awagin Hall are about a 5–15-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station.
- By car
For “Takumi no Butai Masaribi” on August 11, 2026, a temporary parking lot will be set up to help ease traffic congestion near the venue.
- Parking
The sports ground at Tokushima Bunri Junior and Senior High School (20 Yamashironishi 4-chome, Tokushima City) is available free of charge from August 1111 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Access is on a rotating basis for sessions 1, 2, and 3.
Address Central Tokushima City
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (The listed dates have passed)
The 2026 Tokushima City Awa Odori was announced as scheduled to run from August 11 through the 15th.
On August 11, Takumi no Butai Yūribi will be held at Aste Tokushima; from the 12th through the 15th, Yume no Butai Matsuribi at Awagin Hall, paid performance venues, free performance venues, and other events will take place.
The paid performance venues hold 1st and 2nd shows each evening; the free performance venues are open daily from 6:10 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Tokushima Prefecture / Tokushima City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
If you plan to attend a paid performance venue, make sure you have a ticket for the show you want to see.
In 2026, a variable pricing system was introduced, with ticket prices changing according to demand. Purchase information was also provided in the official guide.
The free temporary parking lot at Aste Tokushima operates on a rotation basis, so vehicles must leave promptly after each show.
As performances take place at multiple venues, it is a good idea to check in advance which shows you want to see and when they are scheduled.
Source: 優りび 臨時駐車場案内 | The Awaodori
Nearby attractions
Among the facilities related to Awa Odori, the Awa Odori Kaikan in central Tokushima City offers the chance to enjoy Awa Odori throughout the year.
It is introduced as a facility where visitors can experience Tokushima City Awa Odori outside the festival period as well.
For the 2026 festival, viewing plans were also announced for performance venues along the Shinmachi River and the Shinmachi Bridge riverside pier.
When visiting the area, check the festival venues and related facilities separately.
Source: （受付終了）徳島市ふるさと納税返礼品 2026阿波おどり観覧チケット ：徳島市公式ウェブサイト
とくしま動物園
徳島県の動物園・水族館のスポットです。
徳島中央公園
徳島県徳島市の徳島城跡を利用した公園
徳島城
徳島県徳島市の城
徳島市立徳島城博物館
徳島県徳島市にある博物館
徳島市立考古資料館
徳島県徳島市国府町西矢野にある資料館
写真：Sorrysorry at Japanese Wikipedia / Public domain
Photo source ·
徳島眉山天神社
徳島県徳島市にある神社
徳島県文化の森総合公園
徳島県徳島市八万町の向寺山にある公園
徳島県立博物館
徳島県徳島市の文化の森総合公園にある博物館
徳島県立文学書道館
徳島県徳島市中前川町にある文学館
徳島県立近代美術館
徳島県徳島市の文化の森総合公園にある美術館
徳島県立鳥居龍蔵記念博物館
徳島県徳島市の文化の森総合公園にある博物館
徳島県郷土文化会館
徳島市にある文化施設
Origins and History of Tokushima City Awa Odori
Several theories have been passed down about the origins of Awa Odori.
There are several theories about its origins: the castle-building theory, which says people in the castle town danced to celebrate the construction of Tokushima Castle; the theory, which emphasizes the influence of Bon Odori and popular performing arts; and the Furyu dance theory, which traces its roots to Furyu dances of the Muromachi period.
It is explained that the dances grew more elaborate against a backdrop of wealth accumulated through indigo and salt, and that after the decline of the indigo trade, efforts were made to develop tourism, helping the dance take root in civic life.
Following postwar recovery, it developed into the traditional performing art seen today.
Official information
Information about the 2026 event, performance venues, show times, tickets, and traffic restrictions is available on the official website of the Awa Odori Mirai e Tsunagu Executive Committee.
The Tokushima City official website also includes a link to the official 2026 Awa Odori website.
Venues and ticket availability may change during the event, so please check the latest information before visiting.
Tokushima City Awa Odori at a Glance
Tokushima City Awa Odori is a traditional performing art in Tokushima City with a history of more than 400 years.
In 2026, performances were scheduled from August 11 through the 15th at Aste Tokushima, Awagin Hall, multiple performance venues, and dance plazas.
There are daytime stage shows and evening performances, with free performance venues available as well as paid seating.
Check venue schedules, tickets, and transportation information to enjoy Tokushima’s summer dances.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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