Awa Odori Kaikan

The nihongo|Awa Odori Hall|阿波おどり会館|Awa Odori Kaikan is a museum in the city of Tokushima where visitors can learn about Awa Odori, watch displays of the dance and sample local products. The hall also acts as a gateway to neighboring Mount Bizan with the location of a ropeway station on Level five.

Layout

Level 1The first floor of the hall is home to the information desk, with pamphlets and videos showing tourist information about Tokushima, and the "Arudeyo Tokushima" store with tourist goods, local produce and much more.

Level 2The second floor is home to a dance stage that is open to performances throughout the day. Times are as follows:

Entry: The cost is 500 yen for adults, and 250 yen for junior high school students and below.Weekdays: Three times a day, from 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.Weekends & Public Holidays: Four times a day, from 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Performances by famous dancing groups start daily at 8:00 p.m. The cost for these tickets is 700 yen for adults and 350 yen for junior high school students and below.

In addition to the dance hall, the second floor is also home to a library containing information relevant to the dance. Use of the library is free, and it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day.

Level 3The third level of the hall is home to an Awa Odori museum, where visitors can see clothing, instruments, and other items related to the dance. There is also an area where you can try dancing yourself, along with video instructions.

Level 4The fourth level is an open area with rooms that can be rented for meetings, dance practice and other purposes.

Level 5The fifth level of the hall is home to a small restaurant, and a ropeway station for those wanting to climb Mt. Bizan via cable car. Tickets for the cable car are 600 yen for adults, one way, or 1,000 for a return trip. Primary school students and below can get tickets at 300 yen for a one way trip, or 500 yen for a return.

Times: All year, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, during the period from late march to the end of the sakura, as well as everyday during August, and weekends from September to the end of October, the ropeway is open until 9:00 p.m. During Awa Odori (August 12-15), it is open until 10:00 p.m.

Bicycle rental

The Hall rents bicycles for sightseeing in the city.

The Awa Odori Kaikan Bicycle Rental System
#Operating Times - All Year.
#Number of Bicycles - 20.
#Reception - The information counter on level 1.
#Rental Period - 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (rental applications close at 4:00 p.m.).
#Cost - 1,000 yen per bicycle (all day), 500 yen (half day - four hours or less).
#Requirements - Some form of ID such as a driver's licence, etc.
#Rental Area - The Awa Odori Kaikan parking lot.Returns - All bicycles should be returned by 5:00 p.m. on the same day of rent.

Renting a Bicycle
#Renters go to the desk on level 1 and fill out an application form. They will be required to show some form of id.
#They then take the filled out form to the parking area and hand to the person on duty. Payment will then be collected.
#Before leaving, they make sure you know how to adjust the seat height, how to use the lock and key, etc.
#Renters return the bicycle on the same day before 5:00 p.m.