It's Awa Odori Season in Japan! Celebrate With Japanese Beer!

The History of Awa Odori

Tokushima City's Awa Odori is the most famous of many dance festivals held across Japan during the Obon season between the 12-15 August. Groups of choreographed dancers and musicians known as ren dance through the streets, typically accompanied by the shamisen lute, taiko drums, shinobue flute and the kane bell. Performers wear traditional obon dance costumes, and chant and sing as they parade through the streets.

It is said that the celebration dates back to the 16th century, when Tokushima Prefecture was called Awa. It is popularly believed to have begun when Lord Hachisuka Iemasa, the daimyo of Awa Province hosted a drunken celebration of the opening of Tokushima Castle. The locals, having consumed a great amount of sake, began to drunkenly weave and stumble back and forth. Others picked up commonly available musical instruments and began to play a simple, rhythmic song, to which the revelers invented lyrics. Now, Awa Odori has spread across the country and now it is the largest dance festival in Japan, attracting over 1.3 million tourists every year.

Have a Party with Yuzu Lager!

Beer is the most popular drink during Obon festivities. It is refreshing and easy to drink so it great for parties. And speaking of refreshing beers, Hitachino Yuzu Lager would definitely be the winner in this category! 

Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is a fruity, citrus forward beer with a deep, bitter edge. On the palate you are greeted by a pleasant maltiness with an invigorating yuzu character. The beer finishes with a subtle hoppy bitterness with the citrusy character lingering throughout. With its relatively low-alcohol content of 5.5%, Yuzu Lager can be drunk in larger gulps to let carbonation work its magic with its powerful ability to cool and refresh.