I did something different for Koenji Awa Odori 2025. Until this time, I shot all of them along Konan Street. I got good shots there, and while it was crowded, I could always find a place to shoot. There was never a need to go anywhere else. I assumed that the station area would be far too crowded to get to, so why go there? But it forced something upon me.
How many times have I been to the Koenji Awa Odori? Two articles about it are on this blog, but I published many more on a previous one. They all had one thing in common: Konan Street. In 2025, I would do the same thing again? That triggered something in my brain.
Is there a flaw in my photography? It’s the need to search for “safe” things. I want to show Tokyo, which means getting the best photos I can. Risk-taking isn’t a part of my mindset. Is it a lack of curiosity, or just the powerful allure of the comfort zone?
But I was looking around on the internet before the event, and I saw shots taken on Koenji Pal shopping street, a local shopping mall. It’s close to the station. A thought hit me, let’s do something different. And that is exactly what I did. I took my first Koenji Awa Odori photos from a different location for the first time. I’d shoot under a roof.
I arrived in Koenji a little later than usual this year, and proceeded to the shotengai, the covered shopping arcade that runs from the station. My new approach paid off immediately. While still at the top of the mall, I heard a familiar tune coming from taiko (drums), flutes (fue), and gongs (kane). I picked up the pace and soon came across Koroku-ren (小六連) warming up for the festival. They even called the public to dance with them. I’d never seen that before. My decision to go somewhere new was already vindicated. And it got better.
Koenji Pal shopping street is long and narrow, spectating crowd on both sides. The mall isn’t even half the width of Konan Street. I shot the dancers mostly from an almost head-on position. The narrow confines of the arcade created an intimacy similar to that of the Shimokitazawa event. I wasn’t just capturing a dance troupe; I was close enough to see their intense concentration, the beads of sweat on their brow, and the intricate weave of their happi coats. The cheering wasn’t distant; it was a wall of energy right beside the performers.
As I eventually moved to Konan Street for the more familiar shots, the contrast was stark. This experience has been a startling revelation. How many other photos have I missed because I stuck to what was safe? My goal for next time is already set: I’ll be back in that arcade, hunting for that perfect head-on shot. It’s a reminder that true growth in photography doesn’t come from a perfect location, but from the intentional decision to seek a new perspective.
Planning Your Own Visit?
This article covers the 2025 festival. For everything you need to know about attending—including dates, photo spots, and insider tips—head over to our ultimate guide.
[Read the Complete Koenji Awa Odori Guide]
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. There are no plans to stop.
I’ve always shot the Koenji Awa Odori from the same location, along Konan Street. In 2025, I changed my mind and headed to the Koenji Pal shopping street. It offered a completely different perspective. The change brought me out of my comfort zone and got me new photos of an
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