Latest news with #YosakoiFestival
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
EXPO2025 Kochi Festival WORLD YOSAKOI DAY
Kochi's Yosakoi and Street Market is coming to the Kansai Expo in Osaka on August 22 (Fri) and 23 (Sat)! OSAKA, Japan, August 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kochi Prefecture will host "WORLD YOSAKOI DAY" on August 22 (Fri) and 23 (Sat) at the EXPO Arena "Matsuri" during Expo 2025 Osaka, day YOSAKOI becomes a world culture. A special two-day event for the benefit of both Kochi and the world is scheduled be event invites people from around the world to dance Yosakoi, which originated in Kochi, and to fully experience Kochi with all five senses, featuring street markets boasting over 300 years of history and products from every city, town, and village in the prefecture. Date and Times Friday, August 22, 2025 at 12:00pm - 8:00pm *Venue opens at 11:30am Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 9:00am - 6:30pm *Venue opens at 9:00am Venue Inside the EXPO Arena "Matsuri" at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan venue (immediately after entering from the West Gate) and other locations From the "Original Yosakoi" performed at the first Yosakoi Festival, to Yosakoi teams from Kochi and the Kansai region known for their unique and vibrant performances, student teams representing the future of Yosakoi, and even teams participating from overseas,* all of which will dazzle spectators with their performances. *Overseas Performing TeamsKizuna International Team (North America and other regions) / Núi Trúc Sakura Yosakoi (Vietnam) / Hanoi Sennen Yosakoi Team (Vietnam) SUPER LOCAL "Yosakoi Festival in EXPO"A Special Stage Presented by Kochi, the Birthplace of Yosakoi!In addition to stage performances, dancers led by "jikata" floats will parade and dance through the venue. In true Kochi Yosakoi style, the close connection between dancers and spectators will be reenacted in style, allowing visitors to cheer with fans, instinctively join in the dancing, and experience a sense of unity. What is the Yosakoi Festival?The Yosakoi Festival began in 1954 to lift spirits and dispel the gloom of the postwar economic slump. Held every year from August 9 - 12 in Kochi City, it attracts approximately 200 teams and around 18,000 dancers from both inside and outside the prefecture, flooding the streets with excitement. These lively Yosakoi Festival teams are set to gather at the Expo site. HighlightsEveryone Dancing Together! A Fully Participatory Group Dance Event!On the day of the event, a "Sō Odori" (mass dancing event) provides a chance for dancers and spectators to enjoy Yosakoi together. Using Yosakoi as a common language, the participating dancers and the crowd unite, creating an unmissable moment as the entire venue is filled with fervor. Date and Times of the Sō Odori Friday, August 22, 2025 (1) around 3:00pm / (2) around 7:00pm Saturday, August 23, 2025 (3) around 1:30pm / (4) around 6:00pm SUPER LOCAL "300 Years of Tradition: The Street Market"Experience the Charm of Kochi at the Expo's Street Market!The Street Market, which has been handed down for more than 300 years and is cherished especially by the people of Kochi Prefecture, will be recreated at the Expo site. Various products nurtured by the rich nature of Kochi Prefecture will be available in one place. Sunday market exhibitors will also participate and all municipalities in the prefecture will join in the street market, showcasing the charms of each area of Kochi Prefecture. In addition to gourmet bites on-the-go and shopping, visitors can enjoy communicating with the friendly vendors. Japan's Largest Street Market in Both Scale and HistoryIn Kochi Prefecture, street markets held along the roadsides have long enjoyed popularity. The largest of these is the "Sunday Market," a so-called living market stretching about 1 kilometer east from the Otemon Gate of Kochi Castle with around 300 stalls on offer. A wide range of products, from food to daily necessities are sold here, and the market attracts approximately 17,000 visitors in a single day, making it the largest in Japan in both size and history. Many vendors are happy to share tips on their manufacturing methods or recommended ways to enjoy their products, allowing visitors to enjoy warm and friendly interactions with the hospitable people of Tosa. SUPER LOCAL "Kochi Food and Culture Experience Zone"Events That Can Be Enjoyed Casually by Everyone, From Children to Adults, Featuring Hands-on Experiences That Let Visitors Engage With Kochi's Culture!The hands-on experience corners set up for families include the chance to make Yosakoi naruko clappers, a photo booth with Yosakoi festival costumes, and workshops using Tosa washi paper. Visitors can also enjoy tastings and sales at the Tosa sake corner, which is currently attracting global attention. The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect. View source version on Contacts For inquiries concerning this matter: International Tourism Division, Tourism Promotion and Sports Department, Kochi Prefecture020701@ Local Production for Local Consumption and External Sales Division, Industry Promotion Department, Kochi Prefecture120901@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
EXPO2025 Kochi Festival WORLD YOSAKOI DAY
OSAKA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kochi Prefecture will host 'WORLD YOSAKOI DAY' on August 22 (Fri) and 23 (Sat) at the EXPO Arena 'Matsuri' during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The day YOSAKOI becomes a world culture. A special two-day event for the benefit of both Kochi and the world is scheduled be held. This event invites people from around the world to dance Yosakoi, which originated in Kochi, and to fully experience Kochi with all five senses, featuring street markets boasting over 300 years of history and products from every city, town, and village in the prefecture. Date and Times Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 9:00am - 6:30pm *Venue opens at 9:00am Expand Venue Inside the EXPO Arena "Matsuri" at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan venue (immediately after entering from the West Gate) and other locations Expand From the 'Original Yosakoi' performed at the first Yosakoi Festival, to Yosakoi teams from Kochi and the Kansai region known for their unique and vibrant performances, student teams representing the future of Yosakoi, and even teams participating from overseas, * all of which will dazzle spectators with their performances. * Overseas Performing Teams Kizuna International Team (North America and other regions) / Núi Trúc Sakura Yosakoi (Vietnam) / Hanoi Sennen Yosakoi Team (Vietnam) SUPER LOCAL "Yosakoi Festival in EXPO" A Special Stage Presented by Kochi, the Birthplace of Yosakoi! In addition to stage performances, dancers led by "jikata" floats will parade and dance through the venue. In true Kochi Yosakoi style, the close connection between dancers and spectators will be reenacted in style, allowing visitors to cheer with fans, instinctively join in the dancing, and experience a sense of unity. What is the Yosakoi Festival? The Yosakoi Festival began in 1954 to lift spirits and dispel the gloom of the postwar economic slump. Held every year from August 9 - 12 in Kochi City, it attracts approximately 200 teams and around 18,000 dancers from both inside and outside the prefecture, flooding the streets with excitement. These lively Yosakoi Festival teams are set to gather at the Expo site. Highlights Everyone Dancing Together! A Fully Participatory Group Dance Event! On the day of the event, a 'Sō Odori' (mass dancing event) provides a chance for dancers and spectators to enjoy Yosakoi together. Using Yosakoi as a common language, the participating dancers and the crowd unite, creating an unmissable moment as the entire venue is filled with fervor. Date and Times of the Sō Odori Friday, August 22, 2025 (1) around 3:00pm / (2) around 7:00pm Saturday, August 23, 2025 (3) around 1:30pm / (4) around 6:00pm Expand SUPER LOCAL "300 Years of Tradition: The Street Market" Experience the Charm of Kochi at the Expo's Street Market! The Street Market, which has been handed down for more than 300 years and is cherished especially by the people of Kochi Prefecture, will be recreated at the Expo site. Various products nurtured by the rich nature of Kochi Prefecture will be available in one place. Sunday market exhibitors will also participate and all municipalities in the prefecture will join in the street market, showcasing the charms of each area of Kochi Prefecture. In addition to gourmet bites on-the-go and shopping, visitors can enjoy communicating with the friendly vendors. Japan's Largest Street Market in Both Scale and History In Kochi Prefecture, street markets held along the roadsides have long enjoyed popularity. The largest of these is the 'Sunday Market,' a so-called living market stretching about 1 kilometer east from the Otemon Gate of Kochi Castle with around 300 stalls on offer. A wide range of products, from food to daily necessities are sold here, and the market attracts approximately 17,000 visitors in a single day, making it the largest in Japan in both size and history. Many vendors are happy to share tips on their manufacturing methods or recommended ways to enjoy their products, allowing visitors to enjoy warm and friendly interactions with the hospitable people of Tosa. SUPER LOCAL "Kochi Food and Culture Experience Zone" Events That Can Be Enjoyed Casually by Everyone, From Children to Adults, Featuring Hands-on Experiences That Let Visitors Engage With Kochi's Culture! The hands-on experience corners set up for families include the chance to make Yosakoi naruko clappers, a photo booth with Yosakoi festival costumes, and workshops using Tosa washi paper. Visitors can also enjoy tastings and sales at the Tosa sake corner, which is currently attracting global attention. The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Yomiuri Shimbun
11-08-2025
- Climate
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Sign Falls on Dancer at Yosakoi Festival; Sudden Gust of Wind Believed to Be Cause
A dancer suffered minor injuries after being hit by a falling sign on a stage at the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi on Sunday, the festival organizer said. According to the organizers, seven signs that had been set up on the festival stage fell on Sunday morning, with one hitting a woman in her 20s on the left shoulder. A sudden gust of wind is believed to have caused the sign to fall. The festival continued on Monday, and dance performances were held with all the signs on the stage removed. According to the Kochi Regional Meteorological Observatory, a strong wind advisory was issued in the city at the time of the accident.
The Mainichi
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Dancers light up west Japan city with vibrant costumes, music during 72nd Yosakoi Festival
KOCHI -- The 72nd edition of Kochi Prefecture's largest summer event, the Yosakoi Festival, began in this western Japan city on Aug. 10, with around 18,000 dancers from 188 teams based within the prefecture and elsewhere participating. This is an increase of four teams and about 1,000 dancers compared to last year. The main event takes place over two days, ending on Aug. 11. Participants dressed in vibrant costumes dance energetically while holding "naruko" clappers at 16 designated performance venues across the city. The festival was launched in 1954, led by volunteers including members of the Kochi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aiming to cheer up citizens and dispel the economic gloom due to the postwar recession. With hopes that it will grow into a long-lasting event like the traditional Awa Odori dance festival in neighboring Tokushima Prefecture, the Yosakoi Festival has grown into a major event from a modest beginning with just 750 dancers. Now, as the origin of Yosakoi-related events that have spread nationwide, the festival attracts many tourists from both Japan and overseas. Participants are free to choose their own costumes and music. The only requirements are that they carry "naruko" clappers and that the phrase "Yosakoi naruko odori" appears somewhere in their music. Performers began to dance at each venue from 11 a.m. on Aug. 10. Dancers in colorful outfits appeared with bright smiles, led by "jikatasha" parade trucks blasting music, drawing cheers from the spectators. Despite the unfortunate rainy weather, a local resident watching at a venue located in a shopping street applauded the dancers. She said, "Summer in Kochi Prefecture wouldn't be the same without Yosakoi. I hope the festival continues forever." A national Yosakoi competition will be held on Aug. 12.
The Mainichi
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Easy Japanese news in translation: Yosakoi Soran Festival held in Sapporo
The Yosakoi Soran Festival, held in early summer in the city of Sapporo, Hokkaido, began on June 4. The festival features dances performed with "naruko" clappers used in the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi Prefecture, to music that incorporates part of the melody of "Soran Bushi," a folk song from Hokkaido that was once sung during herring fishing. Student teams and others danced energetically in colorful costumes. The festival was held until June 8. Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension. A fresh set will be published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m., Japan time. Click/tap here for past installments. Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.
