Four days when the sound of naruko clappers and distinctive dances bring Kochi City to life
Yosakoi Festival
The 2026 edition of Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/09 〜 2026/08/12Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year from August 9 to the 12th / Every year
- Location
- Otesuji, Kochi City, and 15 other venues
- Area
- Kochi Prefecture・Kochi City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- General admission seats in the Otesuji grandstand: ¥1,000–¥3,000 (all seats reserved)
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Originating in Kochi City, the Yosakoi Festival features teams performing dances with their own costumes, music, and choreography. In 2026, the eve-of-festival celebration, main festival, national competition, and closing celebration were listed as scheduled to take place throughout the city from August 9 through the 12th.
About Yosakoi Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 7beachbum from Tsuruoka, Japan File:Auショップ前 (42613160260).jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 20180810123855_IMG_0079Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 7beachbum from Tsuruoka, Japan File:立正佼成会 2018 (29484693167).jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 7beachbum 20180810124601_IMG_0082Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kounosu File:Yosakoi Festival in Kochi Japan 2010.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Yosakoi Festival is one of Kochi City’s signature summer festivals.
It began in 1954 (Showa 29) as an event to lift the spirits of Kochi after the war and wish for the health of its citizens.
Today, teams perform dances featuring their own costumes, music, and choreography at multiple competition and dance venues in Kochi City.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the distinctive dancing of around 200 teams and approximately 20,000 dancers, performed at venues throughout the city.
Each team puts its own spin on its costumes, music, and choreography. Dancers hold naruko clappers and dance to music played from a jikatasha.
Enjoy performances throughout the city at 16 competition and dance venues in Kochi City.
Four days when the sound of naruko clappers and distinctive dances bring Kochi City to life
What to expect
The festival begins on August 9 with the Tosa Student Yosakoi Competition and the eve-of-festival celebration, followed by the main performances on the 10th and 11th.
Each team holds naruko clappers and performs dances at each venue to music played from a jikatasha.
The Yosakoi National Competition and closing celebration are held on the 12th, when award-winning teams are also honored.
Source: よさこい祭り-公益社団法人高知市観光協会
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：追手筋桟敷席の一般席は1,000円～3,000円（全席指定）
Location and access
- Venue and address
Otesuji, Kochi City, and 15 other venues.
The main venues include Obiyamachi Dance Venue, Toyo Denka Central Park Competition Venue, Kochi Castle, and the Otesuji Headquarters Competition Venue.
Address Otesuji, Kochi City, and 15 other venues
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was listed as scheduled to take place over 4 days, from August 9 through the 12th.
On the 9th, the Tosa Student Yosakoi Competition and the eve-of-festival celebration take place; the main festival is on the 10th and 11th, followed by the Yosakoi National Competition and the closing celebration on the 12th.
Venues and times vary by event and may change due to weather or other circumstances.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kochi Prefecture / Kochi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
At each venue in 2026, the event hours may change.
As times may also change depending on the weather, it’s important to check the schedule for the venue you plan to visit before heading there.
The Otesuji Main Competition Venue has daytime and nighttime sessions, and performance times vary by venue.
Nearby attractions
五台山
高知市の山
土佐神社
高知県高知市一宮(いっく)しなねにある神社
小津神社
高知県高知市にある神社
山内神社
高知県高知市にある神社
朝倉神社 (高知市)
高知市にある神社
桂浜水族館
高知県高知市にある水族館
潮江天満宮
高知県高知市天神町にある神社
藁工ミュージアム
高知県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
高知大神宮
高知市にある神社
高知市寺田寅彦記念館
日本の高知県高知市にある建築物
Origins and History of Yosakoi Festival
The Yosakoi Festival began in 1954 (Showa 29).
It is said to have been launched to overcome the economic downturn of the time and lift the spirits of local residents.
A guide for children from Kochi City describes the festival as having begun to revitalize Kochi after the war and to pray for the health of its citizens.
Official information
Kochi City’s tourism information site provides an overview of the festival, venues, schedule, and contact information.
For inquiries about the eve-of-festival celebration, main festival, and closing celebration, contact the Yosakoi Festival Promotion Association.
Contact information for the Kochi City Tourism Association is also provided for the 2026 national competition and related events.
Yosakoi Festival at a Glance
The Yosakoi Festival is a festival held every year in August in Kochi City, centered on dancing to music while playing naruko clappers.
In 2026, the eve-of-festival celebration, main festival, national competition, and closing celebration are scheduled to take place from August 9 through the 12th.
Enjoy performances by different teams at multiple venues around Kochi City, including Otesuji.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
