Ultimate Guide to Yosakoi Soran Festival 2024: Dates, Highlights, and More!

The Yosakoi Soran Festival, a vibrant and energetic celebration, is one of Japan’s most anticipated events, showcasing a unique side of Japanese celebration. Set against the backdrop of Sapporo’s city streets, this annual festival is a must-visit for anyone seeking a fun and immersive cultural experience.

The festival is famed for its dynamic street dance performances, combining the traditional yosakoi dance of Kochi Prefecture with the rhythms of the soran, a traditional Hokkaido folk song. Dancers adorned in elaborate costumes wield Japanese fans and clappers called naruko, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that embodies the festival’s lively spirit.

If you’re heading to Sapporo for the Yosakoi Soran Festival, the fastest and most direct option is to fly:

Air travel: Catch a flight to New Chitose Airport, Sapporo’s main gateway. Then, take a swift train or bus ride to the city center.

Train: Opting for the Shinkansen, Japan’s famous bullet train, offers travelers the pleasure of scenic vistas along the journey, a fair amount of comfort, and the convenience of city center arrivals and departures. However, this option tends to be pricier, and the journey is longer compared to flights, especially considering it requires a transfer to a conventional train for the final leg of the trip (the bullet train network from the mainland does not extend all the way there).

Ferry: Ferries provide a distinctive and leisurely mode of travel, allowing one to appreciate Japan’s beautiful coastline. This option is generally more budget-friendly and permits travelers to bring vehicles, which is advantageous for those planning extensive exploration of Hokkaido. Yet the ferry’s appeal comes with the trade-off of significantly longer travel times and the potential for weather-related disruptions.

You should weigh the pros and cons of each transportation method to select the right one for your trip. If you plan on traveling to Hokkaido from Tokyo, check out our guide on getting there.

Once you’ve arrived in Sapporo, getting around is easy. The city boasts an efficient public transportation network, including subways, buses, and taxis, ensuring easy access to the festival’s various pop-up locations.

The Yosakoi Soran Festival is one of Sapporo’s most famous street festivals and has been running since 1992. It’s inspired by the traditional Yosakoi Festival from Kochi Prefecture, which is known for its energetic dance and the use of traditional naruko clappers. The Yosakoi Soran Festival adds a local touch by including the Soran Bushi, a traditional Hokkaido folk song that reflects the life of fishermen in the region.

At the festival, hundreds of participants wear colorful costumes and perform dances that mix the lively and traditional yosakoi moves with the rhythms of the Soran Bushi sea shanty. They also use paper fans and naruko clappers, linking the festival to its yosakoi roots in Kochi. The performances take place in various parts of Sapporo, bringing the entire city to life with vibrant dance and music.

Over the years, the festival has grown a lot. Now, it features more than 20,000 performers and attracts nearly two million visitors from all over Japan and the world.

The Yosakoi Soran Festival's main draw is its vibrant street dance performances consisting of hundreds of people in teams showcasing a mix of yosakoi and soran bushi dance moves. These dances come to life in different parts of the city during the festival's multi-day duration.

For those looking to immerse themselves fully in the festival's vibrant energy, Yosakoi Soran Festival 2024 offers a unique opportunity: visitors can join the dance festivities themselves!

With a small participation fee of 4,000 JPY, attendees are not just spectators but become an integral part of the festival's growing number of dancers. This experience includes a comprehensive orientation and training session before the event, where participants will learn the yosakoi soran dance.

Participants who sign up will be provided with a colorful happi coat and their own set of naruko clappers so they are ready to join the parade, dance alongside experienced performers, and create lasting memories. This immersive experience highlights the festival's inclusive spirit, allowing attendees to engage deeply with Japanese cultural traditions.

Note: 2024 details TBC

For more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to 24 hours in Sapporo. However, here are a few highlights covering other attractions that are not to be missed:

Odori Park: The festival's main stage. This expansive park is also ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics.

Sapporo TV Tower: For panoramic views of the city, especially beautiful during the festival.

Hokkaido Jingu Shrine: A serene escape offering a glimpse into the region's spiritual heritage.

Historic Village of Hokkaido: Dive into the island's past with this open-air museum collection of preserved buildings.

Jozankei Onsen: Relaxing hot springs located about an hour’s drive from central Sapporo.

Sapporo Prince Hotel

Attendees of the Yosakoi Soran Festival should look no further than Sapporo Prince Hotel when considering accommodation options. This hotel offers guests a peaceful escape with stunning panoramic vistas and is positioned right near the Yosakoi Soran Festival’s various locations for easy access.

The hotel boasts a range of standard rooms and luxurious suites, each offering unique cityscape views. Guests will also have access to Central Wellness Club Sapporo at a reduced cost, which includes a gym, pool, and spa facilities. Additionally, the culinary experience at the hotel is multifaceted, featuring a French restaurant with wine pairings, a steakhouse, a Chinese restaurant, and an amazing buffet.

Find other accommodations in Sapporo

Summer in Japan is a time of celebration with many vibrant festivals held nationwide, so if you're feeling inspired, we've got a whole bunch of other options for you! From cultural events showcasing Japan's rich history to lively music and dance performances, there is something for everybody to enjoy.

Here are some guides on things to do in Hokkaido and Sapporo: