What is the Yosakoi Festival?

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Every summer, over 200 teams gather from around Japan to compete in the Yosakoi festival. Originating in the city of Kochi in 1954, Yosakoi was a festival meant to revitalize Kochi, which was recovering from the devastation brought by World War II. The festival, named after the title dance, “Yosakoi Naruko Odori,” translates to “Dancing at night with rattles,” which is quite literally what dancers do.

During this festival, starting August 11 and spanning four days, dancers from each generation come together to perform the Yosakoi they practiced, taking the streets with choreographed routines fusing traditional Japanese moves with more modern influences. Dressed in vibrant and often elaborate costumes that include happi coats, yukatas, and colorful headbands, their unique outfits only add to the energy of the festivals. These dancers carry naruko, wooden clappers that add the namesake beat to the performances.  

What sets Yosakoi apart from other Japanese dance festivals is its adaptivity and inclusivity. Although choreographers must follow some basic guidelines, such as incorporating the traditional Yosakoi melody and using naruko, they are also free to mix in various dance styles, music genres and themes to their routines. This flexibility has allowed Yosakoi to evolve continually, making it appealing to a broad range of participants and spectators.

The participants of the Yosakoi festival come all across Japan to take part in this historic celebration, with teams coming from the northmost prefecture of Hokkaido to the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa. This festival is not just an opportunity for dance enthusiasts to showcase their talents; it’s also a celebration of local pride and national unity. The teams, which represent a region, city, or even a school or company, their performances often incorporate elements unique to their area. This regional diversity allows a colorful mosaic of traditions to coexist in the festival. 

While dance takes the center stage, the Yosakoi Festival is much more than just performances. Local food stalls, crafts vendors and traditional gaming stalls line the streets, allowing dancers and spectators alike to catch a break and fuel up before the next dance. 

Despite the fact that the Yosakoi festival was suspended from 2020-22, the festival returned with a bang this year. The 70th Yosakoi festival, held in August of 2023, boasted a new record for the number of participants, with nearly 700 people participating. Perhaps these numbers represent the fact that the spirit of Yosakoi persevered despite its many setbacks. So if you ever have the opportunity to visit Japan in the summer, I hope you will visit this truly unique festival with an atmosphere like no other.