Skip to main content

The 66th Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori – A Summer Festival of Energy and Tradition

On August 23, 2025, the 66th Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori kicked off. I joined the first day  and experienced Koenji’s streets filled with the sound of drums, shamisen, and the powerful shouts of “Yatto-sa!”. In this post, I’d like to look back on that excitement and share the unique charm of this summer festival.

About Koenji

Koenji is one of Tokyo’s most popular neighborhoods among young people. It combines easy access to central Tokyo with a retro, affordable residential feel. The area is also known for its live music venues, vintage clothing stores, and subculture vibe. But on one weekend in late August, the entire town transforms into a stage for Awa Odori.

What is Awa Odori?

The shopping streets are completely filled with people and overflowing with excitement

Although Koenji has become synonymous with Awa Odori, the festival was not born in Tokyo. Its roots are in Tokushima, historically called “Awa,” on the island of Shikoku. “Odori”  means “Dance” in Japanese .


With a history of more than 400 years, the origins of Awa Odori are wrapped in legend. Some say it began as a celebration for a feudal lord’s new castle, others that it started when townspeople, drunk on sake, broke into spontaneous dance.

There are also deeper cultural roots. Some scholars connect it to Buddhist “odori nenbutsu” (dancing chants for salvation) and shōryō-odori (spirit dances to honor ancestors), which gradually evolved into a more festive and entertaining style.

The Dance and the Music


Awa Odori has two distinct styles: the vigorous and powerful male dance, and the elegant, graceful female dance often performed in distinctive folded hats. Dancers move in formation to the lively sounds of shamisen, drums, and flutes. Each troupe adds its own rhythm and sometimes modern arrangements, while the syncopated gongs and alternating drum beats create a sound that lingers in your memory.

History of the Koenji Festival


While Awa Odori is performed in several parts of Tokyo, Koenji is by far the most famous. The festival began in 1957 as a way to revitalize the local shopping streets. Today, it has grown into a major summer event drawing more than one million spectators over two days.

The festival features eight performance stages around Koenji Station. From the main boulevards and covered arcades to narrow neighborhood alleys, dance troupes from across Japan perform for the crowds.




How to Experience It

An energy-charged gateway to the festival — the Red Bull gate amplifies the excitement.


Unlike some festivals, Koenji’s Awa Odori is not designed for spectators to jump in and join the dance. The streets are narrow and carefully managed for safety, so the focus is on watching the skilled troupes—some　even traveling from Tokushima —to perform their highly practiced routines.

Still, part of the charm is seeing the diversity: from professional dancers to small children giving their best. The result is a lively atmosphere where everyone can feel included.

Some join in the dance and sweat with passion, others watch quietly with their families, someone enjoys the music alone with a glass in hand, while friends and couples share the rhythm together. In the same flow of music and movement, people of all ages and backgrounds inhabit the same space, carried by the same beat.

So why is Koenji’s Awa Odori so popular? To me, the answer is a sense of unity. Dancers, spectators, and the shopping district all come together, creating an atmosphere that blends nostalgia with raw passion.


Koenji has transformed Tokushima’s tradition into something we can all share. The echo of the drums and flutes now beats within each of us, as our dance — Awa Odori.

Nights in Koenji

Even if you’re not following the parade, you can enjoy the festival simply by soaking in the sounds of the drums and gongs while sipping a drink outdoors. Koenji is already famous for its bars and izakaya, and during Awa Odori the celebration spills into the streets. The excitement lasts long after the dancing ends—the summer night in Koenji is far from over.

The Festival Continues!

The first day’s heat and energy were only the beginning. The final day takes place today, August 24. If you happen to be in Tokyo, don’t miss this chance to feel the energy of one of the city’s greatest summer traditions. And if you’re planning a future trip to Tokyo in summer, consider timing it to experience the Koenji Awa Odori firsthand. It will be a highlight of your journey.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ebisu – A Neighborhood Blessed by Gods and Beer

Among Tokyo’s many stylish districts, Ebisu has a special charm. Perched on hilly slopes, the area gathers sophisticated shopping complexes and international restaurants, while also being home to many foreign residents. It is a place where comfort and high-class living, everyday life and a touch of the extraordinary, mingle harmoniously. Ebisu is also conveniently adjacent to Shibuya and Daikanyama, making it easy to access and explore as part of a day in Tokyo. When deciding where to have dinner in central Tokyo, Ebisu is a neighborhood worth remembering. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so distinctive. The Origin of the Name “Ebisu” Ebisu ( えびす ) is one of Japan’s “Seven Lucky Gods,” a group that includes deities from Buddhism, Hindu traditions, and Japan’s own ancient beliefs. He is depicted holding a fishing rod and a sea bream, symbolizing prosperity in business and bountiful catches from the sea. To this day, Ebisu remains a beloved figure. And yet, the dir...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why Do So Many Japanese Retirees Become Soba Masters?

SOBAGIRI RAKUJYO In Japan, there’s a curious and often heartwarming trend. After years of commuting, overtime, and corporate life, some Japanese salarymen retire and suddenly… take up soba-making by hand. Their friends chuckle. Their kids roll their eyes. “Seriously? Dad’s becoming a soba chef now?” But behind the jokes lies something very real: the quiet joy of working with your hands, and the meditative rhythm of turning buckwheat flour into something deeply nourishing. What Is Soba? Soba noodles are thin, light noodles made mainly from buckwheat flour, often mixed with a bit of wheat flour for elasticity. A common blend is 80% buckwheat and 20% wheat, known in Japan as ni-hachi soba . Soba lovers often debate the ideal flour ratio like wine lovers debate grape blends. You can eat soba hot in a savory broth or cold with dipping sauce — it's enjoyed all year but plays an especially symbolic role on New Year’s Eve, when toshikoshi soba is eaten to mark the transition to th...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Most "Unassuming" Ward in Tokyo? Exploring Kita Ward, Oji, Autumn in Asukayama Park

Among Tokyo’s 23 wards, there’s one area often called the most unremarkable . That’s Kita Ward — literally “North.” Kita = North. Simple as that. But there’s a reason behind that plain name. As the name suggests, Kita marks the northern gateway to Tokyo . Bordering Saitama Prefecture , it has long been considered the entrance to Edo — the historical Tokyo — since samurai times. The Northern Gateway: Oji Station At the heart of Kita Ward stands Oji Station , one of the city’s northernmost transport hubs. This time, I visited Oji on an autumn day to see what kind of charm this quiet part of Tokyo holds. The Slopes of Oji Tell a Story Step out of Oji Station, and you’ll immediately notice the slope.　Here, the flat streets from downtown Tokyo suddenly rise, reminding you of the city’s dramatic terrain. Today it’s neatly paved, but in the past, this was known as the beginning of a difficult hill road. At the top lies Asukayama Park , created in the 18th century by the eighth...
Post a Comment
Read more