Canon RF 24-105mm at Koenji Awa Odori

Dancers in tall straw hats and red-white kimonos perform Awa Odori through the crowded Koenji Pal Shopping Street.

I’ve been shooting with the Canon EOS R5 and RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens since 2024. This pair has made me very happy.

The camera has enough megapixels and the lens has proved itself many times. But this time, at Koenji Awa Odori 2026, it convinced me, it is almost the perfect lens (for this event).

A man and children perform a traditional street dance through a crowded Japanese festival shopping arcade.
Awa Odori dancers in straw hats and red-white kimonos perform through the crowded Koenji Pal Shopping Street.

Well, we all know there is no such thing as the perfect lens. Most of us are not looking for the Holy Grail of lenses. We just want something a step up from what we already own. If you own a 24-105mm f/4 then chances are you want the same focal range but in an f/2.8.

Children and a woman in blue happi coats perform Awa Odori at a Koenji Pal Shopping Street festival.

If you have f/2.8 then you might be wondering how to afford an f/1.4. The grass, err … glass is always faster on the other side of the fence.

Dancers in tall straw hats and pink kimonos perform through the crowded Koenji Pal Shopping Street.
Children perform Awa Odori in a crowded shopping arcade. Taken with a Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L lens.
Woman in a red and white kimono and a traditional folded straw hat at a crowded Japanese street festival.

Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L performance

So why is the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM almost perfect for this event?

Dancers in traditional straw hats and red skirts perform Awa Odori through the crowded Koenji Pal Shopping Street.
A man plays a large traditional drum with raised sticks during a festival on Koenji Pal Shopping Street.
Awa Odori dancers in straw hats and children perform in an arcade. Shot with a Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L lens.

I took these photos from Koenji Pal Shopping Street, which is long and narrow. White lines are laid down and spectators must keep behind them. Thousands of people attend. Once you have taken your spot, you will not be moving much. You are basically locked in for the night.

A dancer in a tall straw hat and teal kimono performs with raised hands during a traditional Japanese street festival.

Why 24-105mm is better than primes

This lens goes from 24-105mm. You can shoot quite wide or close with a twist of your wrist. Changing lenses can be risky with so many people around you. For the confined space of the arcade, I do not need a camera bag with me.

Awa Odori dancers and children parade through a crowded arcade. Taken with a Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L lens.
Children in blue happi coats perform Awa Odori through the crowded Koenji Pal Shopping Street.

Is F4 fast enough for festivals?

F4 is enough for Pal Shopping Street. A faster lens would be great, but there is enough light. If you get underexposed images, post-processing (with modern AI denoising) will take care of them.

Dancers in tall straw hats and teal kimonos perform with raised hands through a crowded Japanese shopping arcade.
Dancers in tall straw hats and pink and blue yukata perform with raised hands at a crowded Japanese street festival.

Photography at Koenji Awa Odori

Photography along Pal Shopping Street was great. The weather was relatively cool and the crowd was friendly. One man even swapped positions with me so I could get better images. Many thanks to him! To learn more about this event look at [Koenji Awa Odori Photography Guide].

Do I recommend the Canon RF 24-105mm?

If you are a Canon user, and you are looking for a versatile lens, think about Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM. For the average travel photographer, it will cover most of their needs and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. When you walk out the door, this lens will help keep your bag to a reasonable size and weight.

If you’d like to see a smaller Awa Odori, have a look at [54th Hatsudai Awa Odori]. That’s a good one if you don’t enjoy massive crowds.

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