A free festival beside Shin-Kobe Station brings together Awa Odori dance performances and Kobe food on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The Awa Odori & Kobe Food Festival (阿波踊りと神戸グルメ祭り) runs from 11:00 to 19:00, provisionally, at the first-floor plaza of Kotonohako Kobe (コトノハコ神戸).
There are three scheduled performances, plus a chance to learn the dance yourself. Admission is free; food and drinks are sold separately. The venue connects directly to Shin-Kobe Station, making it a convenient stop for a day out or a visit to Kobe.
Date, location and admission
The organizer is ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe (ANAクラウンプラザホテル神戸). The festival takes place at the adjoining commercial complex, rather than in one of the hotel’s restaurants.
| Date | Sunday, October 18, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 11:00–19:00, provisionally; all times are Japan Standard Time |
| Venue | Kotonohako Kobe, first-floor plaza |
| Address | 1-chome Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo |
| Admission | Free; food and drinks are sold separately |
| Organizer | ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe |
| Weather | Goes ahead in rain; canceled in severe weather |
| Station access | Direct connection to Shin-Kobe Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen and Kobe Municipal Subway |
Check the organizer’s festival announcement and hotel website before traveling for any changes.
Performance times and dance experience
Two dance groups will appear, bringing different styles to the same venue. Here is who to look out for:
| Group | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Shin Nonki-ren (新のんき連), Tokushima | Fast-paced, energetic dancing with coordinated movement |
| Nanko-ren (楠公連), Kobe | A lively, colorful performance from a locally based group |
Performances start at 12:30, 15:00 and 18:00. If seeing the dancing is your main reason for going, plan around one of these start times. Individual performance lengths and the running order have not been provided.
The hands-on Awa Odori experience is listed for 15:00–18:00. Participants can learn basic movements and dance with the performers, including children and people trying Awa Odori for the first time. The announcement does not specify individual session times or language support.
Food stalls and family activities
Eight food stalls are planned, with Kobe food, regional dishes, sweets and soft drinks among the offerings. Specific vendors, menus and prices have not yet been listed in the supplied announcement, so leave your food choices open until further details are available.
A children’s area will offer games and entertainment. A prize draw is also planned, with hotel accommodation and dining vouchers among the prizes. Its entry requirements and timing have not been announced; check those details before assuming that admission includes a draw entry.
If you are comparing family outings beyond this festival, our Asoview attraction campaign guide is another place to look. Check each attraction’s dates and conditions separately.
Getting there and staying nearby
Use Shin-Kobe Station for the direct connection to the venue. Sannomiya is approximately two minutes away by subway, according to the hotel. The hotel is also near the Kitano historic foreign residences, Nunobiki Falls and Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens.
For a longer Kansai outing, you can also browse our Ghibli Park exhibition guide covering Osaka, Yokosuka and Kyoto; check the relevant venue’s schedule before combining plans. If phone battery life is a concern during a day out, see our guide to d VALUE PASS and ChargeSPOT rentals for the service’s conditions.
Special accommodation plan
The hotel has linked a special accommodation plan, with reservations also available by calling 078-291-1273. Rates, eligible stay dates and package inclusions are not specified in the announcement; confirm them on the booking page.
Hotel dining in pictures
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Awa Odori & Kobe Food Festival free?
- Admission is free. Food and drinks are sold separately, and individual menu prices have not been announced.
- When are the Awa Odori performances?
- Performances start at 12:30, 15:00 and 18:00 on October 18, 2026. All times are Japan Standard Time.
- Can beginners try Awa Odori?
- Yes. A dance experience is listed for 15:00–18:00, with basic movements taught by the dancers. Individual session times and language support have not been specified.
- Will the festival go ahead if it rains?
- The festival is scheduled to go ahead in rain but will be canceled in severe weather. Check the organizer’s latest information before traveling.
For this visit, the main choice is which performance to catch. Choose a start time, allow room in your plans for the food stalls, and confirm any prize-draw or accommodation conditions through the hotel’s official website.