EXPO2025 Kochi Festival WORLD YOSAKOI DAY

Kochi's Yosakoi and Street Market is coming to the Kansai Expo in Osaka on August 22 (Fri) and 23 (Sat)!

Kochi Prefecture will host “WORLD YOSAKOI DAY” on August 22 (Fri) and 23 (Sat) at the EXPO Arena “Matsuri” during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

The day YOSAKOI becomes a world culture. A special two-day event for the benefit of both Kochi and the world is scheduled be held.

This event invites people from around the world to dance Yosakoi, which originated in Kochi, and to fully experience Kochi with all five senses, featuring street markets boasting over 300 years of history and products from every city, town, and village in the prefecture.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250813669101/en/

Scene of the Yosakoi dance performance

From the “Original Yosakoi” performed at the first Yosakoi Festival, to Yosakoi teams from Kochi and the Kansai region known for their unique and vibrant performances, student teams representing the future of Yosakoi, and even teams participating from overseas,^* all of which will dazzle spectators with their performances.

^*Overseas Performing Teams

Kizuna International Team (North America and other regions) / Núi Trúc Sakura Yosakoi (Vietnam) / Hanoi Sennen Yosakoi Team (Vietnam)

SUPER LOCAL "Yosakoi Festival in EXPO"

A Special Stage Presented by Kochi, the Birthplace of Yosakoi!

In addition to stage performances, dancers led by "jikata" floats will parade and dance through the venue. In true Kochi Yosakoi style, the close connection between dancers and spectators will be reenacted in style, allowing visitors to cheer with fans, instinctively join in the dancing, and experience a sense of unity.

What is the Yosakoi Festival?

The Yosakoi Festival began in 1954 to lift spirits and dispel the gloom of the postwar economic slump. Held every year from August 9 - 12 in Kochi City, it attracts approximately 200 teams and around 18,000 dancers from both inside and outside the prefecture, flooding the streets with excitement. These lively Yosakoi Festival teams are set to gather at the Expo site.

Highlights

Everyone Dancing Together! A Fully Participatory Group Dance Event!

On the day of the event, a “Sō Odori” (mass dancing event) provides a chance for dancers and spectators to enjoy Yosakoi together. Using Yosakoi as a common language, the participating dancers and the crowd unite, creating an unmissable moment as the entire venue is filled with fervor.

SUPER LOCAL "300 Years of Tradition: The Street Market"

Experience the Charm of Kochi at the Expo's Street Market!

The Street Market, which has been handed down for more than 300 years and is cherished especially by the people of Kochi Prefecture, will be recreated at the Expo site. Various products nurtured by the rich nature of Kochi Prefecture will be available in one place. Sunday market exhibitors will also participate and all municipalities in the prefecture will join in the street market, showcasing the charms of each area of Kochi Prefecture. In addition to gourmet bites on-the-go and shopping, visitors can enjoy communicating with the friendly vendors.

Japan's Largest Street Market in Both Scale and History

In Kochi Prefecture, street markets held along the roadsides have long enjoyed popularity. The largest of these is the “Sunday Market,” a so-called living market stretching about 1 kilometer east from the Otemon Gate of Kochi Castle with around 300 stalls on offer. A wide range of products, from food to daily necessities are sold here, and the market attracts approximately 17,000 visitors in a single day, making it the largest in Japan in both size and history. Many vendors are happy to share tips on their manufacturing methods or recommended ways to enjoy their products, allowing visitors to enjoy warm and friendly interactions with the hospitable people of Tosa.

SUPER LOCAL "Kochi Food and Culture Experience Zone"

Events That Can Be Enjoyed Casually by Everyone, From Children to Adults, Featuring Hands-on Experiences That Let Visitors Engage With Kochi’s Culture!

The hands-on experience corners set up for families include the chance to make Yosakoi naruko clappers, a photo booth with Yosakoi festival costumes, and workshops using Tosa washi paper. Visitors can also enjoy tastings and sales at the Tosa sake corner, which is currently attracting global attention.

The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250813669101/en/