Awa Odori and Otsuka Museum of Art — The Culture and Art of Tokushima

The frenzy of dancing that lasts all night long, and a grand museum where the world's masterpieces stand side by side at full scale — Tokushima Prefecture has two contrasting yet utterly compelling attractions: Awa Odori, one of Japan's largest Bon dance festivals, and a one-of-a-kind museum of ceramic-board reproductions of famous paintings. The heat of a dance with more than 400 years of history, and timeless masterpieces of Western art. Set out on a journey full of appeal, where you can savor Tokushima's own culture and art in a single trip.

Four Centuries of Fervor: Awa Odori

Awa Odori is the Bon dance that represents Tokushima Prefecture, and it is one of the largest of its kind in Japan. It is known for the chant "Odoru aho ni miru aho, onaji aho nara odoranya son son" (Dancing fools and watching fools — if you're going to be a fool, you might as well dance!), and its history stretches back more than 400 years. Held every year during the Bon period from August 11 to 15 (the main performances at the dance grounds run from the 12th to the 15th), it fills the streets with groups of dancers called ren, parading to the accompaniment of shamisen, drums, and flutes. The energy, which draws in the spectators and continues through the night, is overwhelming, and more than a million people come from across the country — the great summer tradition of Tokushima.

Awa Odori All Year Round

Awa Odori is a summer festival, but its appeal can be experienced throughout the year. At the Awa Odori Kaikan in Tokushima City, full-scale performances by a resident ren are held every day, and visitors can even try the dance themselves. The powerful stage, unfolding to live musical accompaniment, is a must-see. Even if you cannot visit during the festival season, it is a delight to be able to touch the essence of the traditional performing art that Tokushima takes pride in. You can also learn about the history of the dance and its costumes.

Masterpieces of the World: The Otsuka Museum of Art

The other great attraction is the Otsuka Museum of Art in Naruto City. This is a unique museum where you can view around 1,000 famous paintings from around the world, reproduced at full scale on ceramic boards using a special technique. Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, van Gogh's Sunflowers, and the Sistine Hall reproducing Michelangelo's ceiling paintings — masterpieces you would otherwise have to travel the world to see are gathered in one place. Because the works are on ceramic board, photography is freely permitted. The sheer scale and the number of works on display astonish every visitor.

Best Season and Access

The main Awa Odori runs from August 12 to 15. The museum and the Kaikan can be enjoyed year-round. For access, JR Tokushima Station is the base for sightseeing in the city, and the Otsuka Museum of Art is reached by bus from JR Naruto Station. Pairing it with the Naruto whirlpools is the classic itinerary. Savor Tokushima's own fervor and art to your heart's content.

Practical Information for the Awa Odori Kaikan

• Address: 2-20 Shinmachibashi, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture (088-611-1611). The building has one basement floor and five floors above ground
• Performance times:
• 2F Awa Odori Hall, daytime performances "Odorana Sonson Awa Odori": 11:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00 (40 minutes each)
• 2F evening performance "Awa Odori Every Day": 20:00-20:50
• 3F Awa Odori Museum: 9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:45)
• 5F Awagin Bizan Ropeway: April to the end of October 9:00-21:00 / November to the end of March 9:00-17:30 (open every day, though it closes for a full inspection around February)
• 1F Arudeyo Tokushima: 9:00-20:00 (9:00-18:00 from 21 to 27 December and from 2 to 11 January)
• Prices (including tax): daytime performance 1,300 yen for adults, university and high school students (1,040 yen for groups of 20 or more), 700 yen for junior high and elementary school children (560 yen for groups). Evening performance 1,600 yen for adults, university and high school students (1,280 yen for groups), 800 yen for junior high and elementary school children (640 yen for groups). Awa Odori Museum 500 yen (400 yen for groups), 300 yen for junior high and elementary school children (240 yen for groups). Bizan Ropeway: adults (junior high school age and above) 1,500 yen return, 900 yen one way; children (elementary school age and younger) 800 yen return, 500 yen one way
• Closed: the second Wednesday of February, June, September and December (the following day if that is a public holiday), and 28 December to 1 January (except the Bizan Ropeway and the Moraes Gallery). In addition, the Awa Odori Hall has no daytime performances from 28 December to 3 January and no evening performances from 21 December to 11 January
• Special arrangements during the 2026 Awa Odori: on 11 August there are no daytime or evening performances. From 12 to 15 August there are special daytime performances only, at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, with no evening performance. Bookings for the facility cannot be taken from 11 to 15 August
• Parking: (1) the Awa Odori Kaikan car park (at the rear right of the building, height limit 155 cm), 330 yen for the first hour and 170 yen for each further 30 minutes; one hour free if you spend 3,000 yen or more at Arudeyo Tokushima on the first floor. (2) the municipal Shinmachi underground car park (height limit 2 m), 300 yen for the first hour, then 100 yen per 20 minutes, up to 800 yen for 12 hours; entry between 10:00 and 19:00 on Sundays and public holidays (including substitute holidays) gets one hour free, and otherwise 20 minutes free if you use a paid facility in the building (collect a stamp at the first-floor reception and show it at the car park office). It is 150 m on foot from the exit towards the building. (3) the coach park in front of the building (large and medium coaches and buses seating 11 or more only; camper vans not allowed)
• Private hire: the Awa Odori Hall can be hired outside the scheduled performance times. Up to 150 people 120,000 yen / 151-200 people 140,000 yen (40 minutes as standard; an application form is required)
• Note: performances and ropeway operations may change at short notice because of the weather or wider circumstances

(Source: Awa Odori Kaikan official website; Tokushima City official website)