What is Yosakoi Soran Festival?
The Yosakoi Soran Festival is a vibrant team dance festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Established in 1992, it combines Kochi Prefecture's "Yosakoi Festival" with Hokkaido's folk song "Soran Bushi." Each team performs original and dynamic dances at around 25 venues including Odori Park in Sapporo.
There are two rules for the Yosakoi Soran Festival:
- Dancing with a naruko (wooden clappers)
- Incorporate phrases from the Soran-bushi folk song into the performance.
Approximately 30,000 participants perform team dances based on these rules. There are two types of dances: a parade style, where participants dance while moving forward, and a stationary style, where they perform in a fixed position. The style of dance varies depending on the venue, adding to the festival's appeal.
Yosakoi Soran Festival 2024 Details
Here is the schedule for the Yosakoi Soran Festival 2024. Recommended events are highlighted with yellow markers.
June 5 (Wed)
18:00 - 18:30 Opening performance (Odori Park Nishi 8-chome venue)
18:30 - 21:30 Team performance (Odori Park Nishi 8-chome venue)
June 6 (Thu)
18:00 - 18:30 Opening performance (Odori Park Nishi 8-chome venue)
18:30 - 21:30 Team performance (Odori Park Nishi 8-chome venue)
June 7 (Fri)
18:00 - 21:30 Soren Night (Odori Park Nishi 8-chome venue)
18:00 - 21:00 Team performance (Susukino venue)
June 8 (Sat)
10:00 - 21:30 Team performance (Venues in Sapporo City)
10:30 - 17:30 U-40 competition *Small Group Performance* (Ichibangai venue)
19:00 - 20:40 Saturday Night Parade (Odori Nanboku Parade Venue)
June 9 (Sun)
10:00 - 17:00 Team performance (Venues in Sapporo City)
10:30 - 12:00 Junior competition first round (Ichibangai venue)
15:00 - 16:20 U-40 competition second round (Kanamoto Hall venue)
17:00 - 18:00 First Jury Award performance (Sapporo Garden Park venue)
17:30 - 18:40 Final parade (Odori Parade Venue North Course)
17:30 - 18:40 Carnival parade (Main Street Parade Venue South Course)
15:00 - 17:15 First final stage (Odori Park Nishi 8-chome venue)
18:30 - 21:00 Second final stage (Odori Park Nishi 8-chome venue)
During the event period, from 11:00 to 21:00, you can enjoy delicious food from Hokkaido and beyond at the Food Park located north of Odori Park Nishi 5th and 6th Street.
Dates: June 5 (Wed) ~ June 9 (Sun)
Address: Odori Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042
Venues: Around Sapporo Odori Park and other parts of Sapporo city
Official Website: Yosakoi Soran Festival