“The dancers are fools, the watchers are fools, both are fools alike so why not dance?” This is the chant of Awa Odori dancers, which can seen during the month of August in Japan. The largest gathering, which occurred last week in Tokushima, attracts more than 1.3 million visitors (though a few days were canceled due to a tropical storm). For people in Tokyo, the next best thing can be seen in Koenji, which will be held this year on Aug. 24-25. During the day time on the same weekend, in the Omotesando-Harajuku area, the Super Yosakoi festival will showcase hundreds of dance troupes from all over the nation. Slightly more freeform and contemporary than Awa Odori, Super Yosakoi troupes often feature clever costume changes and modern musical accompaniment, such as rappers and DJs. And if that’s not enough dancing in the streets for you, there’s the Asakusa Samba Festival on Aug. 31. SO WHY NOT DANCE?
Included in this gallery are photos of the smaller scale Awn Odori festival in Shimokitazawa, held this past weekend. 📸: Ryusei Takahashi @ryuseitakahashi217
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Alo Japan.