After being restricted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional Awa Odori festival came back to the streets of Tokushima. Originally thought to have originated in a massive celebration held in the 16th century. ‘Awa’ refers to the region known as modern-day Tokushima prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, while ‘odori’ means dance. To fête the completion of Tokushima Castle, the feudal lord of Awa province, Hachisuka Iemasa, threw the party to end all parties. The townspeople are said to have drunk so much that they swayed wildly as they danced, forming the early steps of Awa Odori.

Today, while less raucous, the festival is still the occasion to celebrate, with the island gathering up to 1.5 million visitors over the three days of the festival.