Shimokitazawa Awaodori – This Weekend

If you are in Tokyo over the weekend and not afraid to spend a few hours outdoors in the 35 degrees heat I can only recommend that you get over to Shimokitazawa for their two day annual Awaodori festival! It is always great fun and the narrow streets are perfect for enjoying the energy of Awaodori.

I took these photos at the festival in 2012, of the famous Takarabune (宝船) dance group, at their final set piece performance. The festival is actually divided into two parts. The first two and a half hours are dedicated to the parade but the last 30 minutes is set aside for each team to gather at a chosen spot and perform their set piece, complete with more advance routines giving them a chance to show of their skills. Just pick a team and cheer them on. You will never be able to find a team that beats Takarabune when it comes to comedy dancing though! I have blogged about this team a couple of times before, at Kyodo here, and at Shimokitazawa here.