Tokushima’s Awa Odori draws 1.14 million people over five days, up 30,000 from last year

Tokushima’s Awa Odori festival drew an estimated 1.14 million visitors during five days of performances from Aug. 11 to 15, even as hot weather blanketed the Japanese city.

The 400-year-old summer festival attracted visitors from across Japan and from overseas. Organizers said stronger cooperation with travel agencies, along with social-media and overseas promotion, helped bring in more young people and foreign tourists.

Crowds filled daytime indoor performances at the Awa Odori Kaikan and six outdoor dance venues in central Tokushima at night. Ticket sales at all three main paid venues surpassed last year’s figures. The Minamiuchi venue, known for its finale involving all dance groups, reached a 97.6 percent sales rate. The Aiba-hama venue sold 86.7 percent of its capacity, while the smaller Konya-machi venue reached 75.7 percent.

Organizers also reported encouraging results from two experiments. More than 60 percent of the special seats introduced at the Shinmachigawa pier were sold, while the divided Konya-machi venue, which hosted dance groups in separate sections, reached about 60 percent attendance. The committee said both measures could return next year.