“Shibuya Awa Odori powered by Sansan” will be held at Shibuya Sakura Stage in Tokyo on November 2, 2024.
This event is organized in collaboration with Tokyu Land Corporation by Sansan, Inc., which has the mission of “creating innovation through connections.” The event was conceived following Sansan’s relocation of its headquarters to Shibuya Sakura Stage, adjacent to JR Shibuya Station, in September 2024. It draws inspiration from the origins of Awa Odori, which was said to be performed to celebrate the completion of Tokushima Castle, and is planned to celebrate the grand opening of Shibuya Sakura Stage with many people.
On the day of the event, selected teams from the Awa Odori Promotion Association in Tokushima City, as well as the combined teams from the Koenji Awa Odori, held every August, and the Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori Promotion Association, will participate. Approximately 100 performers from the three major Awa Odori regions—Tokushima, Koenji, and Minami-Koshigaya—will gather to showcase their dances at Shibuya Sakura Stage. Additionally, beyond Awa Odori, there will be stamp rallies, traditional festival activities, and collaborative projects with nearby restaurants planned.
Shibuya Awa Odori powered by Sansan
“Shibuya Awa Odori powered by Sansan”
- Date and Time: November 2, 2024 (Saturday) from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM (tentative)
- Venue: Shibuya Sakura Stage, 1-4 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya, Tokyo, 150-0031
- Participation Fee: Free
Participating Groups
- Awa Odori Promotion Association Selected Group
The “Awa Odori,” a traditional performing art that has been celebrated for over 400 years like the flowing Yoshino River, is a cultural pride of Tokushima. Among the approximately 1,000 Awa Odori groups worldwide, the famous groups in Tokushima, known for their exceptional skills, are part of the Awa Odori Promotion Association, which was established in 1955 to preserve and pass down the tradition of Awa Odori. The association has 15 renowned groups and continues to evolve by incorporating contemporary demands while preserving the history and tradition of Awa Odori. The “So Odori,” featuring over 1,200 dancers performing together, is a signature event devised by the Awa Odori Promotion Association. They perform at festivals throughout Japan and also appear overseas to showcase Japanese culture. A selected group from the Awa Odori Promotion Association will participate this time. - Koenji Ren Association
Awa Odori is held in various towns across Japan, but the Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori is the largest after Tokushima, celebrating its 65th edition this year. Three groups from the 30 affiliated with the Koenji Awa Odori Ren Association will participate as a combined group. They will showcase a special collaborative performance featuring sister groups from the Awa Odori Promotion Association in Tokushima: Ahō-ren, Amamizuki-ren, and Hazuki-ren, along with Edokko-ren, Suikō-ren, and Tenshō-ren. - Minamikoshigaya Awa Odori Promotion Association Combined Group
The initiative to bring Awa Odori to Minamikoshigaya originated with businessman Shunzō Nakauchi from Tokushima, who aimed to evoke a sense of hometown pride among local residents. He focused on hosting the authentic Awa Odori, a cultural pride of Tokushima. Today, the Minamikoshigaya Awa Odori has grown into one of Japan’s three major Awa Odori events, boasting a scale second only to Tokushima and Koenji, celebrating its 38th year as an essential summer event in Koshigaya. A combined group will be formed primarily with young dancers from Minamikoshigaya, inspired by the youthful spirit of Shibuya.
