Awa Odori or Awa Dance originates from Tokushima, the capital city of Tokushima prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan. This festival is celebrated during the Obon period, a time in August in which ancestral spirits are believed to return according to Buddhist teachings. This is a time where people return to their home to clean the family graves and honor their ancestors. Bon dance festivals are popular during this time, there are those who say that Awa Odori may have derived from such celebrations. However, the Awa Odori Festival of today also gives the attendees the "right to party".

The Awa Odori Festival of Tokushima is one of the most popular dance festivals in Japan and resembles the Mardi Gras held in New Orleans. Each year over 1.5 million spectators and dancers participate in the Awa Odori Festival. It is a frenzied form of dancing done through the streets that is accompanied by shamisen(Japanese banjo), drum,brass and flute. Each team called "ren" wear their regional costumes and choreograph dance steps for their men and women groups. They sing their traditional festival song “Ya-to-sa” as they dance through the streets. The chorus is a very simple repetition that translates to, "Dancers are fools; lookers-on are fools! If both are fools, why not be dancing fools!"

Stories indicate that Awa Odori was originated over 400 years ago by the Lord of Awa Province when he celebrated the opening of Tokushima Castle. The  music and dance form was created by the drunk crowd. The dance is very fun to watch. Dressed in their yukata and straw hats the ladies dance gracefully on their toes as they wave both arms in the air. The men on the other hand are more aggressive and lively with cotton cloths tied around their head and under their nose.  It has been said that they keep their hands up to praise heaven.

There are over 900 registered dance groups with about 70 that practice all year round. The Honolulu Festival prides itself in having the Tonosama Ren from Tokushima represent this ever popular festivity. This group has been dancing since 1951. Their dancing is electrifying and quite animated.