NEO Awa Odori group “Takarabune” celebrated their 30th anniversary with a hugely successful celebration and live performance. Wataru Yonezawa was appointed as the new group leader, and founder Yo Yonezawa became chairman. Image
URL: Apcheese Co., Ltd. Press release: October 24, 2025 To Members of the Press The NEO Awa Odori group “Takarabune” celebrated their 30th anniversary with a hugely successful celebration and live performance. Wataru Yonezawa was appointed as the new group leader, and founder Yo Yonezawa became chairman. The dancing fools who thrilled 26 countries around the world are heading into the next 30 years with renewed determination. Takarabune, a neo-Awa Odori dance group run by Appcheese Inc. (Headquarters: Musashino City, Tokyo; Representative Directors: Moe Yonezawa and Wataru Yonezawa; hereinafter “Appcheese”), celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. To commemorate this milestone, a “30th Anniversary Celebration” was held at Shibuya Stream Hall on Friday, October 17, 2025, inviting all involved parties. The following day, Saturday, October 18, the “Takarabune 30th Anniversary Live” was held with two performances, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, both of which were a huge success. Also at the event, it was announced that founder and first group leader Akira Yonezawa would become chairman, and that Wataru Yonezawa would become the new group leader, and the start of the new structure was celebrated. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-b6862a4294bef153f0d212deb6700a51-2048×1365.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-328c81bdb3c4b57b0b44f1b084d5b03e-2048×1365.jpg Hira Hideki, Director, International Dialogue Department, The Japan Foundation
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-ec8a24064ecd2791e1dff8c86ce3149e-2048×1365.jpg Vice President, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Mr. Toshihide Nakayama New costumes combining tradition and innovation unveiled The Takarabune New Costume Project began in 2022, triggered by an encounter with Awa-no-Wa, a kimono shop in Naruto, Tokushima. Through this connection, we were introduced to Kondaya Genbei, a
long-established obi craftsman in Muromachi, Kyoto, founded over 280 years ago, and a new endeavor combining tradition and innovation began. The following year, in 2023, the first wave of new costumes was announced to coincide with the European tour. The original obi sashes currently worn by professional members were created by Kondaya Genbei at this time. And now, as they celebrate their 30th anniversary, their collaboration has expanded even further. In addition to the obi, they have produced an original yukata. This special yukata was designed and woven by Kondaya Genbei, with tailoring by Awawa. The finished product was unveiled for the first time at the commemorative celebration. This costume, which inherits traditional weaving and dyeing techniques while imbuing the spirit of the ‘Kenkimono’ (a type of eccentric), is attracting attention as a symbol of a new era for Takarabune. Image
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-dbb5a05c19c4958c7fa318104104b060-1567×1045.jpg Design featuring a showy pose
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-88a77012bcd49e26246460db22e8b514-2048×1365.jpg Original Takarabune crest on the back On the day, we welcomed the creators, Hikaru Inoue, CEO of Awawa Co., Ltd., and Satoshi Inamoto of Kondaya Genbei Co., Ltd., to share behind-the-scenes stories from the production process to completion and the thoughts behind the new costumes.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-662e14f194bb25f1e2f25d2d6fc08cc5-2048×1365.jpg Mr. Hikaru Inoue, Representative Director and President of Awawa Co., Ltd.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-96609810d245c2e24c5fe229e044ace0-2048×1365.jpg Mr. Satoshi Inamoto, Hondaya Genbei Co., Ltd. Announcement of succession of the CEO for the next 30 years
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-ba6aa84d40810f097d5deb7782a6c41a-1567×1045.jpg New Head of the Board, Wataru Yonezawa (left), and New Chairman, Yo Yonezawa (right) At the end of the stage performance, a “new organization” was announced, symbolizing Takarabune’s new beginnings. Founder Akira Yonezawa, who has led Takarabune until now, has taken on this opportunity to become “Chairman.” From now on, he will oversee the entire organization and support the next generation. His eldest son, Wataru Yonezawa, has been appointed as the new Chief. He expressed his determination to further develop the group, leveraging his experience as a leader, directing and producing on stage both in Japan and abroad. For the finale, the group performed the “Celebration Dance,” a dance piece celebrating the succession of the group’s leader, and the entire venue was filled with tears of celebration and emotion.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-18964df886120ec1faf4e4a85d75def0-2048×1365.jpg New president Wataru Yonezawa
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A 90-minute, passionate solo live show! The following day, on Saturday, October 18th, the “Takarabune 30th Anniversary Live” was held with two performances, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Both performances were sold out, and the venue was filled with excitement and anticipation even before the show began. A spectacular 90-minute performance unfolded on stage, captivating the audience with the power and diverse expression of the Awa Odori dance. At the finale, the entire audience rose to their feet, creating a sense of unity that seemed to blur the boundary between the stage and the audience. With drums and shouts intertwining, and endless smiles and applause, the atmosphere was like a festival, condensing the band’s 30-year history. As people left the venue, smiles of excitement and emotion spread across their faces, giving the performance a sense of hope for the future.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-165166001f3543cb34d659cda22986ca-1566×1044.jpg “Awa Odori TIME” had everyone in the venue dancing like idiots. Solo Live Set list Live main story 1.RED 2. Moe 3. Clear stream 4.Jolie Coquine 5. Town girl 6.Iori 7.Heat wave MC1. 8. Moonlight 9. I’ll C U When U Get There MC2. 10. ABAREN 11. Kuroshio Current 12. Musical Instruments 13. Awa Odori Dance Time 14. SEVEN 15. UPTOWN FUNK Encore 16. Celebration dance 17. Photography A special exhibition looking back on 30 years of history was also held. A special exhibition looking back on Takarabune’s history was also held at the same time as this 30th anniversary performance. A photo exhibition featuring numerous stage photos, along with a timeline summarizing the group’s history from its inception to the present, was set up within the venue. Visitors paused to reminisce about nostalgic moments and memorable scenes. In addition, costumes and props actually used in past productions were on display, allowing visitors to experience the accumulation and evolution of their creative work over the past 30 years. Many audience members stopped in their tracks, and the exhibition was filled with smiles and exclamations of admiration, making it a warm and inviting event worthy of marking this milestone.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-4a517c081d7f74d01e52f3f91478881b-2048×1365.jpg Special exhibition floor
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-1b8e4d7603c8bbc59c06c4836d4fd68e-2048×1365.jpg Calligraphy and paintings by Yo Yonezawa, who has led the company for 30 years
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[“30th Anniversary Live” to be streamed online! 】 In order to share the excitement and emotion of the day with as many people as possible, we have decided to sell tickets for a limited time to stream the “Takarabune 30th Anniversary Live” online. You can watch the excitement of the venue from anywhere in Japan or the world! For details and the viewing page, please see the following page. ■Streaming period: Saturday, October 25, 2025 to Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 11:59 PM ■Viewing ticket: 2,000 yen (tax included) ■Viewing site: https://takarabune.zaiko.io/e/takarabune30th What is Takarabune?
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-a7ee01325258c38962320ed85afbc415-1566×1044.jpg The “NEO Awa Odori Group” is exploring new possibilities in Japanese performing arts, centered around the Awa Odori dance. The group operates in 72 cities in 26 countries around the world. Founded in 1995, it incorporated in 2012 and is Japan’s only professional Awa Odori group. Since 2014, they have performed at Japan Expo Paris, the world’s largest trade fair for Japanese artists, as the headliner for the past seven years. In 2018, they embarked on a transcontinental tour visiting nine cities across the United States, and in 2020, they embarked on a national theater tour visiting 14 cities in five countries in Central America and the Caribbean. In 2022, with the official approval of the Gaudi Institute, they became the first Japanese artist to perform an outdoor solo concert in front of Sagrada Familia. In recent years, the group has been actively collaborating with artists from other fields, and performed a special “Kokoro Odoru” stage with nobodyknows on TBS’s “CDTV Live! Live!”. DJ KOO, FISHBOY, DJ Dinoji, and Uruful Keisuke have all appeared in their sponsored performances. They are also actively involved in planning and casting events related to Japanese culture. URL: https://takarabune.org/ Company profile
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/142130/9/142130-9-ca619a841393ce047de3fc46bacfb552-1920×1080.jpg Company Name: Appcheez Inc. Established: April 17, 2024 Address: Kichijoji Sun Building 512, 1-32-2 Kichijoji Honmachi, Musashino City, Tokyo Representative: Representative Directors Moe Yonezawa and Wataru Yonezawa TEL: 0422-29-0333 URL: https://appcheez.com/ Apchies will continue its activities to spread excitement around the world through Awa Odori and pass on Japanese culture to the next generation. We appreciate your continued support.
