As the summer sunshine softens and signs of autumn begin to appear, the streets of Sasebo are enveloped in the sounds of rattles. The YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival is held every year in late October. This year marks the 27th anniversary of this festival, which brings together dancers from all over the country, and the excitement of the streets has become a symbol of autumn in Sasebo.

Sasebo was once a small village, but with the establishment of the former naval base, it quickly developed from a village into a city. As a result, it has been a place where cultures and people from various places have gathered and been accepted, and many unique cultures have developed.

The birth of a new culture in Sasebo

In 1997, there was a growing movement to revitalize the city center, triggered by the opening of large commercial facilities in the suburbs. Volunteers from a wide range of occupations and generations gathered once a month for breakfast to freely share their thoughts, and "YOSAKOI" was introduced as one way to revitalize the town.

Soon after, about 40 people visited Hokkaido to observe the Yosakoi Soran Festival. In the same year, two teams participated as a Yosakoi-style dance troupe at the Sasebo Festival, and Sasebo's Yosakoi culture was born.

"I think Yosakoi, as a form of content that livens up the town, is a good fit for the characteristics of the people of Sasebo, who love the openness that anyone can participate in and the extraordinary," says Akitoshi Kawajiri, second executive committee chairman of the YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival.

As chairman of the Sasebo Four Towns Shopping Arcade Cooperative Association, Kawajiri is involved in efforts to revitalize the city of Sasebo.

Why the YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival attracts so many people

"I think it's because it's so moving. I went to Hokkaido and was moved, and I wanted to bring the same feeling to Sasebo, so the executive committee was formed... I also watched the various teams and was moved. I would like to increase the number of Sasebo fans through Yosakoi."

So says Kawakami Koji, vice-chairman of the executive committee, who is in charge of general affairs, public relations, and judging for the YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival. He says that in recent years, having overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the momentum of new young teams has been noticeable.

Yosakoi festivals are now popular and are held all over the country. The Yosakoi Sasebo Festival is characterized by its venues that make use of the characteristics of the port town, such as the Maritime Self-Defense Force Kurashima Wharf Venue, where the dancers perform in front of a huge escort ship inside the Maritime Self-Defense Force base, the Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort Venue, where sightseeing boats pass by with the spectacular view of Saikai National Park and the Kujukushima Islands as a backdrop, and the most popular Yamagata Venue, where the dancers dance under the spotlight in the middle of the downtown area at night.

One of the reasons why Sasebo is filled with excitement is the judging format with various categories. Teams that wish to be judged must follow the rules, and dancers must ring clappers and appeal to the judges within 4 minutes and 30 seconds. The judges, including those who apply through the general public, evaluate the dancers' enthusiasm based on a variety of criteria, including the overall strength of the dance, music, costume, etc., whether it overwhelms the audience, and whether it is unique.

A new challenge that is full of excitement

In 2025, the festival will be held for three days at 12 venues in Sasebo City, starting with the "YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival Huis Ten Bosch Night" on October 17th. The theme is "Overflowing."

"This year, the highlight is definitely Huis Ten Bosch Night. However, new projects are developed every year, so the three days are packed full. The teams that make it to the finals are full of momentum, so it will be fun to watch them and find a team you like," says Kawakami.

It's about a 10-minute walk from HOTEL RESOL SASEBO to the arcade, and about a 20-minute walk to the main venue, Sasebo Central Park (Nakiri Festival Square Venue). Even in the hot season, the distance between the two locations is short, so you can enjoy the three days to the fullest.

This year, 129 teams from all over the country will be livening up the streets of Sasebo with the sound of Naruko drums.

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YOSAKOI Sasebo Festival Executive Committee Secretariat

 

電話：0956-33-4351 

Venues: Sasebo Central Park, Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo Station, and other locations within Sasebo city

Website: https://yosa.jp/

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For details, please check the link above.