27/08/2026
Mawari Odori Local Dance ✧ 廻り踊り
✨ Although Awa Odori and the biggest Obon festivals have finished for the year, smaller communities in Tokushima celebrate the season until the end of August with their own local festivals, such as “Mawari Odori” in the Tsurugi and Mima regions!
“Mawari Odori” means “rotating dance”, essentially where dancers rotate around something while singing and dancing. That “something” is the yagura stage, which holds a special festive image for most Japanese. The yagura is where the sound originates; the taiko drummers and singers stand here performing while overlooking the dancers below.
The dance itself looks simple, but there’s a certain pattern and rhythm to it, and the act of dancing itself is a way of showing respect and honour for one’s ancestors, who the Japanese believe to have returned as spirits during the Obon season.
Tsurugi’s Mawari Odori is said to have over 2000 years of history, and each region in Tokushima (Kaiyo, Naruto, Tsurugi, etc) has different ways of manifesting the dance. This deep culture and history has continued through the ages, keeping its traditional form while also branching out to be a more social and fun celebration for all ages to enjoy (nowadays some festivals even hire proper DJs!).
👉 To learn more, check out !
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August 2026 | Tsurugi & Mima, Tokushima
徳島県つるぎ町・美馬町
#にし阿波観光
