Last weekend my local area Koenji played host to what is, in my opinion, the best event of the calendar year in Tokyo – the Koenji Awa Odori Matsuri – a two day traditional Japanese dance festival that originated in Tokushima in Shikoku over 400 years ago. The two day event which sees thousands of dancers hit the streets in choreographed groups, to the sounds of traditional Japanese music is a treat for all the senses, and attracts huge numbers of spectators from around the country. Families, friends, people from all walks of life line the streets of the area to cheer the groups on and join in on one of the best party atmospheres I have ever witnessed. This year was the 63rd annual Awa Odori in Koenji.
You can read more about the history of Awa Odori in both Tokushima and Koenji in an older post of mine here.
Here is a selection of some of my favourite shots from this years event…
