History of the Yosakoi Soran Festival

The Yosakoi Soran Festival was started by a University of Hokkaido student ten years ago and since its enthusiastic debut, has now grown to become one of the biggest most vibrant and eagerly anticipated summer festivals in all of Japan. This major event is held annually in Sapporo in the fine early days of June and draws hundreds of teams of dancers, both professional, amateur and improv, from all over Japan and abroad.

In August of 1991, after witnessing the magic of the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi, and returning to the University of Hokkaido, one highly motivated student and 100 like minded students put together the first Yosakoi Soran Festival in Sapporo the following summer, with ten teams and 1,000 dancers and 200,000 people cheering them on, they started the fantastic adventure that is what it is today.

The Yosakoi Soran Festival is a melding of the historical Yosakoi Festival of Kochi, in Central Japan, with Hokkaido's unique traditional Soran Bushi fishing folksongs. The upbeat tempo, the dancer's enthusiasm, the crowds and the colors and the driving music all conspire to make you feel like joining in.

The phenomenal size, success and popularity of the Yosakoi Soran Festival has led some to say that the entire city is the stage. Last year, at the 14th Annual Yosakoi Soran Festival of 2005, 43,000 dancers in 334 teams danced through the streets of Sapporo in their beautifully designed original costumes to the visible delight of over 2,141,000 captivated spectators. The festival financially generated an incredible record-breaking $230,709,000 US dollars for local businesses last year.
With the professional and amateur teams of between 40 and 150 dancers and the jump-up-and-dance-teams like Wa Odori Soran and the magnificent 2,000 strong Soran Illusion, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the action. Soran Illusion is actually composed of the wildly popular all girl band, Morning Musume, and produced by the legendary Ms. Aya Matsura and the original theme song, "The Yosakoi Soran Festival" was composed by the famous Japanese musician Tsunkun.
The combination of music, dancing and uptempo jumping up and down the parade route and on stage is just one more reason why the frenetic level of activity surrounding this festival continues to enthrall visitors and participants alike.As a model case for Hokkaido Tourism, the Junior Division Contest was developed and performances are held at the scenic venue of Hitsuji Ga Oka.

The Yosakoi Soran Festival is managed by ten full time staff and supported by a committee of 120 students (reflecting the humble beginnings of the festival when it was first performed and run by students), 4000 volunteers, 1500 police officers and an additional 1500 security guards for a grand total of over 7000 individuals dedicated to putting on the Best Festival in the East. The people of Hokkaido and the businesses and organizations that contribute their know-how and time and services are proud to host what is one of the largest festivals in the world.For those that can't make it all the way to Sapporo there are smaller yet equally energetic Yosakoi Soran Festivals held throughout Hokkaido, most notably in Ohkost, Hidaka, Sorachi, Tokachi, Chitose, Kamikawa and Nemuro, with local teams providing the color and excitement.

We aim to do our best and to work tirelessly until the day comes when The Yosakoi Soran Festival truly rivals the legendary Rio Carnival!!