#Japan #Awa Odori #Japan Festival #Minamikoshigaya

The 39th Minamikoshigaya Awa Odori Festival

This summer, the picturesque town of Minamikoshigaya will once again be enveloped in tradition and culture as it proudly hosts the 39th Minamikoshigaya Awa Odori Festival. Scheduled from August 22 (Fri) to August 24 (Sun), the festival is anticipated to attract more than 700,000 spectators, making it one of Saitama Prefecture's most celebrated summer events.

The festivities kick off on August 22 with a special pre-festival event from 19:00 to 21:00, held at the Koshigaya Community Center's main hall and the nearby shopping plaza. The following two days, August 23 and 24, will feature breathtaking performances along the Minamikoshigaya Central Street, which will host a range of activities aimed at showcasing this vibrant dance form.

During the main festival days, there will be a mix of traditional dance showcases and performances:

• - Nagi Odori (Flowing Dance): Starting from 17:10 to 21:00, this captivating flow dance will unfold at four different venues.
• - Butai Odori (Stage Dance): From 14:00 to 20:45, attendees can enjoy two parts of this enthralling display at the Koshigaya Community Center's main hall and the small hall.
• - Kumi Odori (Group Dance): Set to engage spectators from 16:20 to 20:45, this performance will be held at both the shopping plaza in front of the community center and at the East Exit rotary of the train station.

Adding to the excitement this year, the festival's promotional poster has been released, highlighting a vibrant photo featuring a dancer from the Dokuiren group. A total of 1,000 B1 size posters and 2,500 B3 size posters have been printed, and they will be displayed at various locations including stations on the Tobu Skytree Line and JR Musashino Line, while also being distributed among local festival participants to boost the festive spirit.

The Minamikoshigaya Awa Odori Festival has a storied history, being the third-largest festival of its kind after Tokushima and Koenji. Last year, the 38th edition saw around 68 participating groups from the local area, with over 6,000 dancers showcasing their craft. The festival’s significance in preserving cultural heritage and bringing the community together cannot be overstated.

If you'd like to pick up a poster, head to the Polus Corporation headquarters located at 1-21-2 Minamikoshigaya, Koshigaya City, open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please keep in mind that there’s a limited quantity available, so get there early!

For those interested in experiencing one of Japan’s most enchanting summer celebrations, the official website of the Minamikoshigaya Awa Odori Festival offers detailed information and is a great resource: Minamikoshigaya Awa Odori Official Website.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible cultural celebration that not only highlights the art of Awa dance but also enhances community unity and joy during these summer months!