The Yosakoi Soran Festival is held every June in central Sapporo and is one of the largest dance festivals in Japan, attracting over 30,000 performers from hundreds of teams across the country. Dancers wield wooden 'naruko' clappers and perform dynamic choreography blending Kochi's Yosakoi tradition with Hokkaido's Soran fishermen's song. Competitions take place across multiple stages throughout the city centre, and the Grand Finale parade along Odori Park is a breathtaking spectacle. The festival celebrates regional identity and draws roughly two million spectators over five days.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- Early June
- Region
- Hokkaido
- Prefecture
- Hokkaido
- City
- Sapporo
Highlights
- ◆30,000+ dancers from 350+ competing teams
- ◆Vibrant handmade costumes unique to each group
- ◆Grand Finale parade along Odori Park
- ◆Naruko clapper percussion throughout performances
- ◆Free to watch at multiple outdoor stages