Experience the passion and excitement of Kochi's Yosakoi Festival, one of Japan's largest festivals! [Held in summer 2024]

• Table of Contents
• What is Yosakoi Festival?
• 2024 dates
• Directions from Yosakoi Festival venue and Kochi Station
• How to enjoy Yosakoi Festival
• Take an English guided tour

What is Yosakoi Festival?

The Kochi Yosakoi Festival is one of the largest festivals in Japan, held every year on August 10th and 11th in Kochi City. Approximately 200 teams and approximately 20,000 dancers will participate and perform energetic dances at 17 concert halls and dance halls in the city. For four days, including the eve and after-festivals, the city is filled with the excitement and passion of men and women of all ages, just like Rio's carnival.

2024 dates

This year, the 71st edition, will be held as usual on the following dates.

Eve Festival Friday, August 9th

Actual performance August 10th (Sat) and 11th (Sun)

After-party Monday, August 12th

For more information, please check the official website .

Directions from Yosakoi Festival venue and Kochi Station

Each team's dance will be performed at 17 venues in Kochi City.

The main venue is the Yosakoi Festival Otesuji Headquarters Concert Hall located in Otesuji, Kochi City. About 15-20 minutes walk from Kochi Station. Hirome Market, where you can sample a variety of foods from Kochi, a city of gourmet food, is also right in front of you.

There are paid viewing seats in front of the main street, where the dancers' power is most present. Please apply in advance.

In addition, at the eve of the festival, the winning team from last year's competition, and at the after party, this year's winning team will perform powerful dances in Central Park .

How to enjoy Yosakoi Festival

The people of Kochi, who are usually cheerful and friendly, become even more open during the Yosakoi Festival, and the city is filled with the passion and excitement of the festival. Please keep the following points in mind and enjoy the Yosakoi Festival to the fullest.

① Gathering information in advance

Thoroughly research the performance schedule and viewing points in advance.

② Find your favorite team and support it

At the Yosakoi Festival, over 200 teams from various genres perform unique dances. Find your favorite team on YouTube and support them in advance.

③ Enjoy Kochi's gourmet food

Kochi is known as a gourmet city in Japan. Take this opportunity to enjoy Kochi's gourmet food.

④ Secure accommodation

All hotels in Kochi are fully booked during the Yosakoi Festival. Reserve your room now.

⑤ Dance together!

The Yosakoi Festival is accepting walk-in participants from Kochi City and the Kochi City Ryokan Hotel Cooperative Association . Let's dance together to the rhythm of Yosakoi with Naruko in hand!

Take an English guided tour

Another way to fully enjoy the Yosakoi Festival is to join a tour from a travel agency.

There are many benefits, especially if you go on a tour with a guide.

Advantages of guided tours

① You can better understand the appeal of Yosakoi

If you watch while being told about the characteristics and highlights of each team, you will be able to understand the appeal even more.

② Enjoy Kochi's gourmet food

You can tour Kochi's hidden delicious restaurants only with a local guide.

③ Accommodation and seats are secured

Almost all hotels are fully booked several months before Yosakoi. When it comes to seat reservations, it can be difficult for first-time participants to decide where to book. By joining a tour, you can enjoy the festival without worrying about accommodation or seats.

④ You can deeply join the Yosakoi Festival

Many tours have special cheering teams and time to mingle with the dancers.

Also, when you tour with an experienced guide, you will meet many Yosakoi people and local friends. Chat and drink with them. I feel like I have a lot of friends from way back when.

⑤ You can sightsee efficiently

The tour program has been carefully designed to allow you to fully experience the real pleasure of the Yosakoi Festival.

Some tours also include sightseeing programs in Kochi City along with the Yosakoi Festival. Take this opportunity to enjoy sightseeing in Kochi City, which is popular in Japan.

Yosakoi tour with English guide