TOKUSHIMA, Japan >> Striking dances were performed as part of the traditional Awa-odori dance festival, which opened Saturday in Tokushima.

Groups of dancers performed “otoko odori” (male dance) and “onna odori” (female dance) to the sound of drums, handbells and shamisen.

Spectators erupted in applause when dancers began moving in perfect sync at 6 p.m. at six venues in the city.

Hideo Bansho, a 63-year-old company employee from Hiroshima, was seeing the dancing for the first time. “The upbeat rhythm made me move with the music, even as a spectator,” Bansho said.

The festival continues through Tuesday and is expected to draw more than 1.2 million attendees.