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YOSAKOI Soran Festival

A Sapporo dance festival with its roots in the Yosakoi festival mixed with Hokkaido’s Soran-bushi.

Last update : 23 Apr 2024

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The YOSAKOI Soran Festival is held every June. Based on the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi prefecture, this is a popular hybrid festival that mixes “Naruko (the dancers hold it in both hands and plays it like a musical instrument while dancing)” used in the Yosakoi Festival, and “Soran-bushis”, a Hokkaido’s folk song.

The YOSAKOI Soran Festival’s rule is that dancers hold Naruko, and to implement the phrases of the Soran-bushi; that’s all. Various teams join in their colors, dances, and costumes. The phrase, “Yaren Soran”, a labor song sung by Hokkaido fishermen during herring fishing, echoes through the city, giving power to those who see it.

The festival was originally held under the motto “The Town is the Stage”. Gradually, more and more people outside of Hokkaido began to participate, it has been becoming an international festival with teams from all around the world. More than 2 million spectators attend to celebrate the Hokkaido summer. This event is a must see.

Highlights

A hybrid, powerful dance festival mixing Yosakoi Festival and Soran-bushi.
Only 2 rules! The sound of Naruko and chanting echoing through the city will naturally give visitors power.
It is now an early summer tradition that people from all over the world, regardless of nationality, participate in.

Photos

A powerful performance seen up close. Photo by: YOSAKOI Soran Festival Commission
The spacious, outdoor main stage where visitors can see the YOSAKOI Soran. Photo by: YOSAKOI Soran Festival Commission
Check out various unique costumes and dances. Photo by: YOSAKOI Soran Festival Commission