The Shikoku town of Tokushima is creating a new committee to plan and fund the iconic Awa Odori, bringing back its festivities after two years of COVID-19 uncertainties.

The Sankei Shimbun, JAPAN Foward

Summer festivals and Awa Odori are often thought of in tandem, especially in the Shikoku town of Tokushima, which boasts one of the most famous festivals–Yosakoi–featuring the traditional Japanese dancing. The warm nights of the season invite the colorful footwork and graceful hands of trained experts and townspeople, alike. Yet, the talents that go into production have been threatened by the impact of COVID-19, which shut down many festivals over the past two years.

RELATED: Yosakoi and Awa Odori: Experiencing Shikoku’s Iconic Dance Festivals

One town is fighting back. Tokushima, located on the eastern corner of Shikoku Island, created an executive committee specifically “for the future of Awa Odori.”

The new organization, set up by Tokushima City and the local business community, is solely focused on supporting the festival. The first meeting, held April 8, discussed the scale of the town’s 2022 festivities, the likely costs and sources for its income, and the COVID-19 situation.

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