August 15

Obon, or Bon Festival, is a Japanese Buddhist custom honoring the spirits of ancestors. It typically spans three days in mid-August, with August 15 being the main observance in many regions. In Tokushima Prefecture, the Awa Dance Festival (Awa Odori) transforms streets into a stage for rhythmic folk dances. Participants wear traditional yukata and straw hats, accompanied by shamisen, taiko drums, and flutes. The festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors who join in parades and street performances late into the night. Obon traditions also include lantern offerings and toro nagashi (floating lanterns) to guide spirits back to the afterlife.

The Awa Odori, or Awa Dance Festival, has its roots in the Edo period Obon celebrations and is held annually from August 12 to 15, with the climax on the final night. Participants form ren—a series of groups—adorned in colorful yukata and straw hats called amigasa, dancing to the rhythmic beat of shamisen, taiko drums, and flutes. Spectators line the neon-lit streets of Tokushima City, where spontaneous 'free-style' dances invite amateur participation. Competitions award the most skilled and creative ren for choreography, musicality, and costume. Food stalls offer local specialties such as sōmen noodles and sudachi citrus-based dishes. The festival attracts over a million visitors each year, blending communal spirit with centuries-old artistic tradition and celebrating the joy of movement.