Festivals & Events
Yosakoi Soran Festival YOSAKOIソーラン祭り
An epic dance-off event in Hokkaido full of flashy moves, color, and music
The Yosakoi Soran Festival in Hokkaido 
is based on another Japanese festival from Kochi Prefecture and features naruko clappers accompanying Hokkaido's Soran Bushi folk melodies. Started in 1992, this multi-day event in early June now attracts upwards of 2 million visitors a year.
Don't Miss
- The finale on Sunday night
- Learning how to dance in Waodori Square
- Exploring Susukino
How to Get There
You can get to the festival by subway from Sapporo Station .
The festival takes place at Odori Park , which is a two-minute subway ride from Sapporo Station to Odori Station on the Namboku Line.
Quick Facts
Clappers were originally used to scare birds away from rice fields
The clappers are an integral element in yosakoi dancing
The dance-off phenomenon
Yosakoi dancing is often staged as a competition, with the teams competing for pride and sometimes prizes. The dances are based on traditional Japanese dance, especially Awa Odori, but incorporate many modern styles and features, as well as colorful and coordinated costumes.
Find the best vantage point, or learn to dance
Watch live street dancers doing breathtaking dance pieces for free along Odori Park , in Susukino, and other locations.
You're encouraged to get close and involved in the festival, with workshops for beginners offered in Waodori Square.
If you plan to catch the festival but don't want to spend your whole holiday in Sapporo , it is best to be there on the weekend for the final contest.
The latest information may differ, so please check the official website
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.
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