Yosakoi Matsuriよさこい祭り

Kochi's summer festival, begun in 1954, in which dancers holding naruko clappers dance their way through competition and performance venues across the city.

Yosakoi Matsuri fills Kochi City's competition and performance venues each year from August 9 to 12. Dancers sound the naruko in their hands as they move through the streets alongside elaborately decorated jikata-sha — the trucks that carry each team's music. There are just two rules: dance forward while sounding the naruko, and include a phrase of the song "Yosakoi Naruko Odori" somewhere in the music. Everything else is free.

According to the Yosakoi Festival Promotion Association, the festival was launched in August 1954, led by the Kochi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as post-war life was settling amid a nationwide recession: its aims were to lift the city's spirits, pray for the health and prosperity of its citizens and revive shopping streets during the slow summer season. The first festival drew 750 dancers in 21 groups. Its song, "Yosakoi Naruko Odori", was created by the composer Eisaku Takemasa.

Source: よさこい祭振興会(external site, opens in a new tab)

The naruko descends from the suzume-odoshi, a clapper shaken to scare birds from the fields. Guided by the idea that the dance may change in any way so long as people embrace it, its choreography, costumes and music have diversified with the times.

1. 01

   Zenyasai (eve festival)

   On August 9, a prayer for safety and the eve festival are held.

2. 02

   Main days at the venues

   On August 10–11, teams dance at competition and performance venues across the city.

3. 03

   Jikata-sha

   The decorated truck that carries each team's music.

4. 04

   Koyasai and national competition

   Held on August 12.

Dancers take part as teams, each with its own jikata-sha, music and costumes.

• Yosakoi Matsuri「第73回よさこい祭り 金賞、よさこい大賞受賞チーム」2026/8/12放送

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Venues are spread across Kochi City, and times may change. Check the Yosakoi Festival Promotion Association's official site for the latest schedules and team line-ups.

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — cciweb.or.jp(external site, opens in a new tab)

• Do not obstruct the dancers
• Follow the directions of stewards

1. 1.よさこい祭りとは < よさこい祭り 公式サイト(external site, opens in a new tab)よさこい祭振興会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
2. 2.2026年 第73回よさこい祭り開催スケジュール < よさこい祭り 公式サイト(external site, opens in a new tab)よさこい祭振興会 · Accessed 2026-09-26