An energetic YOSAKOI spectacle, with naruko clappers and dancers bringing color to the streets of Sasebo
YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival
The 2026 edition of Sasebo Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/16 〜 2026/10/18Ended
- Season / frequency
- Usually, from Friday to Sunday in late October / Every year
- Location
- 13 venues across Sasebo, with Nagiri Omatsuri Hiroba (Sasebo Central Park) as the main venue
- Area
- Nagasaki Prefecture・Sasebo City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 20 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free. However, Huis Ten Bosch Night requires an admission ticket, and admission to the final stage, which starts at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, is paid.
- Age restrictions
- International team dancers range from kindergarten age through adults. Flag bearers and hype leaders must be junior high school age or older, and support staff must be high school age or older. Paid seats for the final stage are for elementary school students and older.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival is a festival where you can enjoy energetic performances set to music and naruko clappers in downtown Sasebo. Dancers take to the streets and stages at multiple venues, filling the city with the excitement of YOSAKOI. The 2026 festival was announced as scheduled to run from October 16 through the 18th.
About YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival
YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival is a community revitalization event in Sasebo City that began in 1998.
Against the backdrop of the spread of Sapporo’s YOSAKOI Soran Festival, inspired by the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi City, people involved with Yonkacho Shopping Street and others launched the festival.
Today, the festival makes use of public roads, shopping streets, public facilities, and other locations in Sasebo City, drawing dancers from within and beyond the prefecture as a city-center festival.
Source: YOSAKOIさせぼ祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The highlight is the energetic, synchronized dancing, with performers clapping naruko clappers to the music.
At parade venues, you can enjoy watching performers dance as they move along, led by a parade float.
At stage venues, highlights include the main judging, awards, and the grand dance held at the end of the festival.
Source: YOSAKOIさせぼ祭り | イベント | 【公式】佐世保･小値賀 観光/旅行サイト 海風の国観光圏
An energetic YOSAKOI spectacle, with naruko clappers and dancers bringing color to the streets of Sasebo
What to expect
At the festival, each team performs to music and naruko clappers, presenting their routines in parade or stage format depending on the venue.
Teams advance to the main judging after a preliminary round, and various awards are decided.
The 2026 festival is scheduled to run for 3 days: the eve of the festival, the Saturday of the main festival, and Sunday.
How to take part
In 2026, participants are being recruited for a special team themed around international exchange.
The team is open not only to dancers but also to flag bearers, hype leaders, and support staff.
Dancers from kindergarten age through adults may apply, and Japanese participants can take part while interacting with people from other countries.
To join the international exchange team in 2026, apply via the entry form on the information page.
Roles include dancer, flag bearer, hype leader, and support staff; there is also an option to attend a trial session first.
The fee is 4,000 yen per person, with additional costs for costumes and naruko clappers.
Source: 国際交流スペシャルチーム『インターナショナルチーム-GO!!-』【2026年度】 参加者大募集!! | YOSAKOIさせぼ祭り
Location and access
- Venue and address
The festival is held at 13 venues across downtown Sasebo, with Nagiri Omatsuri Hiroba (Sasebo Central Park) as the main venue.
- By car
There is no dedicated festival parking.
If you come by car, please use a nearby paid parking lot.
- Parking
There is no parking dedicated to this event; use a nearby paid parking lot.
Visitors are also encouraged to use public transportation.
Source: 第28回YOSAKOIさせぼ祭り｜佐世保市
Address Across the Sasebo city center, Nagasaki Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the dates listed have passed)
The 2026 festival was announced as scheduled to run from October 16 (Friday) through the 18th (Sunday).
Kids Time and Huis Ten Bosch Night will take place on the 16th, and the main festival will be held on the 17th and 18th.
Performance times vary by venue, and a 1 km Challenge Parade and various stage events are also planned.
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 Nagasaki Prefecture / Sasebo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The festival takes place at 13 venues across Sasebo. Checking the locations and times of the performances you want to see in advance will make it easier to get around.
There is no dedicated festival parking, so if you come by car, use a nearby paid parking lot.
Huis Ten Bosch Night takes place in a paid area and requires an admission ticket.
Admission to the final stage, which starts at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, is also paid.
Nearby attractions
ハウステンボス
長崎県佐世保市にあるテーマパーク
ハウステンボス美術館
長崎県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
九十九島パールシーリゾート
長崎県佐世保市にある水族館・遊覧船などの複合施設
佐世保市博物館島瀬美術センター
長崎県佐世保市にある美術館
海上自衛隊佐世保史料館
長崎県佐世保市にある史料館
Origins and History of YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival
It began in 1997, when people involved with Yonkacho Shopping Street and others visited the YOSAKOI Soran Festival, and a team inspired by its format performed at the “Okunchi Sasebo Festival.”
The following year, 1998, the first Dance Battle was held with 4 teams, leading to the festival as it is today.
In 2000, it separated from “Okunchi Sasebo Festival” and began being held as YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival.
Official information
You can check official information on the YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival official website.
The 2026 official site provides information on the 28th festival schedule as well as recruitment for the international exchange team, junior team, general judges, volunteers, and more.
Source: YOSAKOIさせぼ祭り | 第28回YOSAKOIさせぼ祭り 2026年10/16(金)･17(土)・18(日)
YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival at a Glance
YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival is a community revitalization event where you can enjoy performances set to music and naruko clappers at multiple venues in Sasebo’s city center.
Each venue has different highlights, including parades, stage performances, main judging, awards, and a grand dance.
In 2026, the festival will be held from October 16 through the 18th, and admission is free.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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