Festival season in Japan: Enthusiastic traditional dance festival returns to Kagurazaka on July 24-25

(File photo)

Enjoy two nights of traditional Japanese music and dance at Kagurazaka Awa Odori Festival in Tokyo from July 24-25.

On both nights thousands of dancers in traditional festive attire perform Awa Odori dances from Tokushima Prefecture. The festival starts at 7 p.m. and the dancing processions stretch from Akagi Jinja Shrine through Kagurazaka Street.

Get into the summer festival season with colorful illuminations, countless food and game booths and a lively atmosphere in Kagurazaka.

In addition to the annual dance festival, Kagurazaka is a popular district with a mix of old Japan and French influence. The area is home to many French bakeries, restaurants and cafes that draw many visitors to it’s main street for shopping and dining.

Check out video to explore more about Kagurazaka and it’s French and Edo vibes.

Kagurazaka Awaodori

Period: July 24 and 25
Hours: 7 – 9 p.m. (Awaodori dance by children 6-9 p.m.)
Location: Kagurazaka Street
Website: https://www.kagurazaka.in/kagurazaka_festival/news52th/
Phone: 03-3268-2802

Many people walking in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.

Kagurazaka (File photo)

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

Yokosuka Naval Base

Yokota Air Base

Camp Zama

Takahiro Takiguchi

Takahiro Takiguchi is a writer based in Yokosuka, Japan. Takiguchi covers travel, food and culture stories for Stars and Stripes Japan. Follow along as Takiguchi takes readers to less crowded destinations around the mainland, you might also catch him out and about recording Speakin’ Japanese lesson videos for Instagram.