Dancing the Shikoku

Dancing the Shikoku

The Awa Odori Festival happens every summer over Obon, festival of the dead, and if you miss it you can still get a dose at the Awa Odori Kaikan. Odori means "dance," and at the Kaikan silk-robed professionals perform the famous local step nightly. But shine your shoes: when the troupe leader starts talking to the audience, he's looking for volunteers. Everyone will be thrilled to see you try, so stand up! They'll give you some fragmented English directions and thankfully, it's a very easy dance. The first volunteering round is for men, the second for women; each has different steps to learn. You might get a prize for participating, and one special award goes to the biggest fool on the floor—this honor is a staple of the festival, and it's not always the foreigners who win.

The best show is at 8 PM. Arrive early and browse the gift shop or treat yourself to a ropeway ride up the mountain for a lovely view of the city. 20, 2-chome Shinmachibashi 088/611-1611 Afternoon dance ¥500, evening dance ¥700. Ropeway ¥1,000 round-trip. Gift shop daily 9-6. Performances at 2, 3, 4, and 8; also at 11 on weekends. Closed 2nd and 4th Weds. of month