Awa Odori Kaikan Tokushima
The Awa Odori Kaikan in Tokushima, Shikoku is dedicated to the Awa Odori dance that takes place in the city every August.
Awa Odori Kaikan, Tokushima 阿波おどり会館
Awa Odori Kaikan is the most popular museum in Tokushima city on the island of Shikoku.
Awa Odori Kaikan (Awa Odori Hall) is dedicated to the city's famous dance festival, the Awa Odori, held for over 400 years during the Obon holidays in mid-August.
Awa Odori Kaikan, Tokushima, Shikoku, Japan
Wall panel showing previous festivals
Awa Odori Kaikan Displays
Awa Odori Kaikan is located at the base of the 280-meter high Mount Bizen and from the 5th floor of the museum visitors can take the cable car up to the summit of the mountain.
The ground floor of the museum has a gift shop, the Arudeyo Tokushima, where visitors can buy local products from Tokushima Prefecture and Awa Odori-themed souvenirs such as happi coats, tabi socks and traditional Japanese sandals. The store is open daily from 9 am-9 pm.
The second floor has a library of books relating to the Awa Odori and the stage for performances of the dance which are held at various times throughout the day. Performances last about 40 minutes and are held on weekdays at 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm and on weekends and national holidays at 11 am, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm. There is a nightly performance by the in-house dance troupe beginning at 8 pm.
Awa Odori Kaikan, Tokushima, Shikoku, Japan
Awa Odori Kaikan, Tokushima, Shikoku, Japan
The third floor of the museum is the main exhibition hall of the museum with videos of past Awa Odori dances, historic posters of previous years, costumes and interactive dance machines where visitors can learn the steps.
The fourth floor is an activity room and on the fifth floor is the Awa-no-hana cafe and the Bizen Ropeway Station.
Awa Odori Kaikan, Tokushima, Shikoku, Japan
Awara Odori Kaikan Access
The Awara Odori Kaikan is a 10-15 minute walk from Tokushima Station across the Shinmachi River. Behind the museum is the small, pleasant Tenjin Shrine, from where a steep trail leads up to the summit of Mt. Bizen.
Awa Odori Kaikan (awaodori-kaikan.jp)
20-2 Shinmachi-bashi
Tokushima city
Tokushima 770-0904
Tel: 088 611 1611
Museum Hours: 9 am-5 pm
Admission: 300 yen
Last cable car 5.30 pm; the cable car is 610 yen one way or 1,020 yen return.
Awa Odori shown in manga-style on a video screen, Tokushima, Shikoku, Japan
