Yosakoi Matsuri

Every August, the city of Kochi comes alive with music, dance, and a riot of colorful costumes during the Yosakoi Matsuri. Over four days, more than 200 teams and about 18,000 dancers parade and perform throughout the city, turning the streets into a giant open stage. Locals and visitors, children and adults alike, are welcomed to join the circle-making it a festival where anyone can jump in and feel the pulse of Japanese summer. Whether you love dance, photography, or just want to experience the energy of a true Japanese summer, Yosakoi Matsuri is a feast for the senses that will set your heart dancing.

The festival takes place in Kochi’s downtown shopping arcades and special performance venues. The rhythms of taiko drums and naruko clappers, the aroma of festival food, and the dazzling costumes of the dancers create an atmosphere where the entire city becomes a stage. The sense of unity is so strong that even spectators find themselves clapping along or joining the dance.

Parade Performances and the Sound of Naruko

Costumes, Decorations, and Festival Atmosphere

Kochi Cuisine and Festival Flavors

Yosakoi Matsuri began in 1954, when the Kochi Chamber of Commerce created the festival to revitalize the city after the hardships of World War II. At the time, Kochi was struggling with economic stagnation and a loss of community energy. The idea was to create a new kind of festival where anyone could participate freely and express their creativity. The first event had just 21 teams and 750 dancers, but today, over 200 teams and nearly 20,000 dancers take part, making it a world-renowned celebration.

The greatest feature of Yosakoi is its “freedom” and “diversity.” While inspired by traditional dances like Tokushima’s Awa Odori and Bon Odori, the only rules are to use naruko clappers and include a phrase from the original “Yosakoi Naruko Odori” song. Costumes, music, and choreography are all up to each team-allowing for Japanese, Western, hip-hop, rock, samba, or any style imaginable. The naruko, originally a farm tool, became a symbol of the festival, blending tradition and modern energy.

This spirit of freedom quickly became “the new culture of Kochi” and spread nationwide and abroad. Today, there are more than 200 Yosakoi-style festivals in Japan and even in cities like New York, Paris, and São Paulo. Kochi’s main festival remains the largest, drawing over a million spectators every year.

For the people of Kochi, Yosakoi Matsuri is a source of pride passed down through generations and a summer rite of passage that strengthens family and community bonds. Months of practice, costume-making, and creative teamwork foster local connections and give young people a place to express themselves. What began as a symbol of postwar recovery has become a global celebration of freedom and creativity, still evolving today.

As a tourist, I was invited by locals to borrow naruko and join in the dance. Even though I didn’t know the choreography, the music and smiles made my body move naturally-it became the highlight of my trip.

Yosakoi Matsuri is held every year from August 9 to 12 in central Kochi City. Rent a pair of naruko and feel free to jump in-why not dance your heart out in Kochi this summer?