Kōchi · Kōchi
Yosakoi Matsuri
よさこい祭り
Clappers in both hands, and a deliberately open-ended choreography — a postwar invention.
Next
9–12 August 2027
290 days away
Every year, 9 August, for 4 days
Future dates: 9 August 2027 · 9 August 2028 · 9 August 2029
Origin
Started by the chamber of commerce to shake off postwar depression, with no religious origin at all. That is precisely why rearranging the choreography and music is permitted, and why teams drawing on samba or rock can stand alongside traditional ones.
What to look for
Each team brings its own costume and music, so what passes in front of you barely looks like one festival. The sound pressure when hundreds of naruko clappers land together is not something a recording reproduces.
How to watch
The four days are not interchangeable. The 9th is the eve festival and fireworks, the 10th and 11th are the main days, and the 12th is the national competition and closing. Miss the two main days and you see a different festival, so check before fixing your dates. There are sixteen competition and performance sites and the viewing varies enormously between them — look at the layout beforehand. Keep out of the dancers' line of travel.
Where
Central Kōchi
Kōchi, Kōchi
Open in mapsSources