The Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori street-dancing festival is held annually on the last weekend of August. It began in 1957 as a community revitalization effort and has since become a summer tradition in Tokyo, now boasting approximately 10,000 dancers and attracting a total of about a million spectators. The festival takes place from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in the shopping districts around JR Koenji Station and Tokyo Metro’s Shin-Koenji Station. Its greatest appeal lies in how spectators and dancers are so close together that you can experience firsthand the dynamic energy of the performances. Spectators often join in with the dancers, and the entire neighborhood is enveloped in a feverish atmosphere. Do note that on the day of the event, the areas around the stations and the performance venues become so crowded that it’s difficult to move around. Be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit.