Kochi Yosakoi Festival - Japan's Largest Dance Festival Born in Shikoku

The Kochi Yosakoi Festival is one of Japan's largest dance celebrations, held every August in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture. It was first organized in 1954 to revitalize the city in the aftermath of World War II, and has since become recognized as the birthplace of the "Yosakoi" movement that has spread across the entire country.

The festival's most distinctive feature is the "Yosakoi Naruko Dance," in which performers dance while holding naruko, wooden clappers that produce a rhythmic clicking sound. Each team competes with original music, choreography, and costumes, resulting in a thrilling mix of styles ranging from traditional Japanese to hip-hop. The only rules are that dancers must hold naruko and incorporate a phrase from the traditional folk song "Yosakoi-bushi" into their music. This creative freedom gives rise to fresh, inventive performances every year.

During the festival, hundreds of teams perform at more than a dozen stages set up throughout the city, filling the streets with booming music, the clatter of naruko, and the cheers of spectators. One of the most spectacular sights is watching teams parade through shopping arcades led by "jikatasha," large sound trucks loaded with speakers and amplifiers. Food stalls offering Kochi's renowned local cuisine line the areas around the venues, giving visitors a chance to savor the region's culinary culture alongside the dancing.