Awa Odori Hall
Awa Odori is a famous Bon Odori dance that takes place every August in Tokushima, attracting many spectators. However, by visiting the Awa Odori Hall, you can learn about and enjoy this dance any time of the year. Inside the hall, you can discover the history and traditions of Awa Odori and experience the vibrant festival through photos and videos.
Furthermore, local groups perform Awa Odori every day, where dancers teach the audience how to dance and share the fun of participating together. The phrase associated with Awa Odori is "A fool who dances and a fool who watches; if both are fools, then why not dance?" Dancers invite audience members onto the stage for a joyful experience together.
After visiting the Awa Odori Hall, you can enjoy shops and restaurants in the Shinmachi area or take a pleasant stroll along the beautiful riverside. It is a fantastic spot to fully appreciate the charm of Awa Odori and the tourist attractions of Tokushima.
Basic Information
- Spot Name
- Awa Odori Hall
- Location
- 〒770-090 2-20 Shinmachi-bashi, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan
- Access
- By car: Tokushima Expressway "Tokushima IC" → National Route 11 (towards Tokushima) → National Route 192 (towards Tokushima Station) → National Route 438 (towards Kamiyama)
By train: Get off at Tokushima Station → approximately 10 minutes on foot - Parking
- Regular parking for 26 cars (height under 1.55m), 330 yen for the first hour, and 160 yen for every additional 30 minutes. There are also designated paid parking lots nearby at the Awa Odori Hall. A free bus parking lot in front of the Awa Odori Hall is available for 13 buses on a first-come, first-served basis. For inquiries, please contact the Awa Odori Hall.
- Business Hours
- 1F Aru de yo Tokushima; 2F Awa Odori Hall (depending on performance times) 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM; 3F Awa Odori Museum 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; 5F Awagin Muizan Ropeway 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM (April to October), 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (November to March).
- Regular Holiday
- Closed from December 28 to January 1, on the second Wednesday of February, June, September, and December (the following day in case of a public holiday). The ropeway operates all year round (except for annual inspection periods).
- Fees
- Awa Odori Hall
- Awa Odori by exclusive groups
Adults: 800 yen
Elementary and middle school students: 400 yen
- Awa Odori by famous groups
Adults: 1000 yen
Elementary and middle school students: 500 yen
Awa Odori Museum
Adults: 300 yen
Elementary and middle school students: Free - Contact Information
- Phone Number： 088-611-1611
- Official Website
Map
Detailed Information
▶1F Tourist Information Corner
At the Awa Odori Hall's Tourist Information Corner, you can obtain facility and event information, as well as purchase paid tickets for the Awa Odori Hall, Awa Odori Museum, and the Mt. Bizan Ropeway.
▶1F Arudeyo Tokushima
The Tokushima Prefectural Products and Tourism Exchange Plaza "Arudeyo Tokushima" is a shop operated by the Tokushima Prefectural Product Association. It sells a variety of Tokushima's crafts and specialties, including indigo dyeing, sudachi citrus, and sweets made with Naruto Kintoki.
▶2F Awa Odori Hall
This is a dedicated hall (with 250 seats) for watching Awa Odori performances. During the daytime shows, the exclusive troupe "Awa no Kaze" performs, while famous troupes perform in the evening, rotating nightly to showcase the dynamic Awa Odori right in front of you. Some performances include an "Experience Corner" where audience members can enjoy participating in Awa Odori.
▶2F Gallery Space
A paid gallery space that can be used for photo exhibitions and art shows. Events such as the "Famous Troupe Yukata Exhibition" and "Awa Odori Photo Exhibition" are held regularly. Lanterns with the names of famous troupes are displayed near the windows.
▶3F Awa Odori Museum
The "Awa Odori Museum" allows visitors to learn about the history and culture of Awa Odori. Costumes, props, and traditional instruments from the past and present are on display, providing an easy way to understand the evolution of Awa Odori.
▶4F Activity Rooms
The Awa Odori Hall features four activity rooms of various sizes available for rent. These rooms can be used not only for practicing Awa Odori but also for meetings and events of all kinds.
▶5F Moraes Gallery "SAUDADE"
"SAUDADE" is a Portuguese term that expresses nostalgia or longing. This gallery permanently exhibits materials related to the Portuguese literary giant Moraes, who loved Tokushima.
▶5F Awa Gin Mt. Bizan Ropeway Base Station
This is the base station for the Mt. Bizan Ropeway, which connects the Awa Odori Hall and the summit of Mt. Bizan. The ride to the top takes about 6 minutes. From the summit, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Tokushima Plain facing the Kii Channel, including the Shikoku Saburo Yoshino River, the Great Naruto Bridge, Awaji Island, and on clear days, even the Kii Peninsula.
