Awa Dance Festival in Tokushima Pref.

In Japan, we have Obon holiday in the middle of August, where we believe the spirits of ancestors will return to this world and revisit the household altars. People return to ancestral family places and we have Bon Odori （盆踊り） throughout the country. Bon Obori, meaning Bon dance is performed during Obon to give comfort to the spirits of ancestors.

The Awa Dance Festival (阿波踊り Awa Odori) in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku is one of the most famous Bon Obori in Japan. It’s a very unique style of dancing, which vibe almost reminds me of Brazilian samba. This year, it is held from 12 to 15 August. A lot of travel agencies and even some convenience stores sell spectator “Zashiki” tickets for Awa Odori, but you can also just show up and join local people to enjoy the festival.

There is another attraction I would like to recommend if you visit Tokushima area. Take another leap forward and visit Naruto city from Tokushima city. There are seven potteries of Otani-yaki and you can enjoy your self-expression through making a Japanese style pottery! When you join their ceramic courses, you can paint on cups or plates and they fire your works in the kiln. You can make reservation by calling UMEZATOGAMA at 088-689-0048. As they cannot really speak English, please find someone from your Japanese friends who is willing to help you try Japanese authentic traditional culture. The owner of UMEZATOGAMA, Yuki Mori is selected as a “Pottery Champion” in one of the popular TV programs by TV Tokyo Corporation. He runs his pottery together with Etsuko Mori.

http://www.umezatogama.com/

Access: You can fly from Haneda airport to Tokushima Prefecture. Also if you would like to save cost, you can also take a red-eye bus from Shinagawa (8,000 yen for one-way).