The Koenji Awa Odori Festival is one of Tokyo's largest summer festivals and takes place during the last weekend of August. This year Koenji celebrated its 60th festival, and what a celebration it was!
The event starts at 5pm and finishes at 8pm. The dancers roam the streets of Koenji and there are several spots where you can take a close-up look at the beautiful costumes and dance moves. About 10,000 dancers and musicians come together and show their performances in front of nearly 1 million people. You can hear shimasen, drums, flutes, and cymbals creating a unique rhythm, as well as dancers of all ages and genders dancing along. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing, everybody is having the best time of their lives. Of course you can grab something delicous to eat and to drink and just watch the beautiful performances. This is definitely a night to remember and also a night to repeat every year.
Getting there
Closest station is JR Koenji on the Chuo Line.
Susann Schuster @susann.schuster
Born in Germany, now living in Tokyo together with my husband. I love photography, hiking and running. I am a movie nerd, an art lover and love to be creative.
