Awa Odori Dance Festival – Tokushima

Japan's largest dance festival, held each August in Tokushima (Shikoku). Over 100,000 performers in traditional costumes dance through the streets in group processions (ren), accompanied by shamisen, drums, and flutes. Spectators are encouraged to join — with the motto: 'It's a fool who dances and a fool who doesn't, so you may as well dance!'