Teams dance with wooden naruko clappers, each using its own music and costumes. This is Kochi’s Yosakoi, a different event from Sapporo’s Yosakoi Soran.
Photo: 工房 やまもも · CC BY 2.0
Original date label: 2005. Original or supplied resized image; no additional editing.
Kochi Yosakoi Festival dates
Usually August 9–12; main events generally focus on August 10–11
Usual annual season · exact next dates not confirmed
Event dates and times use Japan Standard Time (JST). Usual annual dates are not a confirmed booking schedule for the next edition. Check the organizer’s notices for daily times, admission and weather-related changes.
Where to watch
Kochi · 高知
Downtown Kochi competition venues and Central Park
高知市内競演場・中央公園
The map marks one reference point, not the entire route or every entrance. For village rites or moving processions, use the organizer’s venue map.
View reference location on Google Maps ↗Getting there by train or bus
From Okayama, take a Nanpu limited express to Kochi Station. Walk or use the Tosaden tram to a downtown venue; consult the team schedule before following a group.
History and traditions
Yosakoi began in Kochi in 1954 as a celebration intended to bring energy to the city and support local development.
Nearby places to consider
These sights can help you plan the rest of your visit. Check each location’s opening hours and access separately; festival road closures may affect the journey.
Before you visit Kochi Yosakoi Festival
When is Kochi Yosakoi Festival?
Usually August 9–12; main events generally focus on August 10–11. These are the usual seasonal dates, not a confirmed schedule for the next edition. Check the linked organizer for times and changes.
How do I get to Kochi Yosakoi Festival by public transportation?
From Okayama, take a Nanpu limited express to Kochi Station. Walk or use the Tosaden tram to a downtown venue; consult the team schedule before following a group.
What should I plan before visiting Kochi Yosakoi Festival?
For a first visit, stay at one competition venue to compare several teams. Following a favorite team requires knowing its next scheduled venue, not guessing from the crowd.
These planning suggestions are JapanLiveNow’s editorial advice. Admission and operating arrangements follow the organizer’s current program.
Official program and visitor information
- www.cciweb.or.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
- smt.yosakoi.com — official festival or destination information ↗
- www.pref.kochi.lg.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
- welcome-kochi.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
- kochipark.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
This guide uses the shared festival source register reviewed on October 3, 2026. Official notices take priority over archive photos and previous editions.