What's Super Yosakoi Festival


What is The Harajuku Omotesando Genki-matsuri Festival -- Super Yosakoi?

What is The Harajuku Omotesando Genki-matsuri Festival -- Super Yosakoi? Since 2001, the local shopping avenue association “Harajuku Omotesando Keyaki-kai” has organized this festival. It is held in last weekend of August for dedication festival of Meiji-Jingu, so as to keep tradition of Yosakoi festival in Kouchi prefecture.

What's Yosakoi Festival


Attraction of Yosakoi Festival

The common style of all participating teams is to include a part of "Yosakoi Naruko Odori" melody in the entire performance music and to dance with Naruko. Other than that, participating teams are free to arrange their dances, costumes, and music. The best thing about the festival is that the participating teams perform elaborate music and dances, ranging from traditional dances such as Bon Odori at summer festivals to up-tempo and rhythmical dances. Because teams and formations are free, anyone can participate, from small children to the elderly, men and women of all ages, and there are many individual Yosakoi teams all over the country (and recently overseas).

The etymology of “ Yosakoi ”
“Yosakoi” means “Please come at night” in Tosa(Kochi Prefecture) dialect.

History

Yosakoi Festival was held in 1954 after the war depression by Kochi chamber of commerce and industry in order to recover economics and build up the local area. At the first time, 21 teams (750 participants) joined. Until the 30th festival, the participants grew up to 1,000 in number. In 1970, it was chosen one of the top 10 festivals in Japan by Osaka international exhibition. About 50 years have passed, and now Yosakoi prevails all over the Japan. Until now, 220 or more Yosakoi style festivals have been born.

Music

Birthplace of Yosakoi, Kochi Yosakoi Festival allows you to add any arrangement if you use music “Yosakoi Naruko Odori” by Eisaku Takemasa. The “Yosakoi Naruko Odori” is incorporated with “Yosakoi-bushi”, Yocchore (old children’s song)”, “Jinmamo (local song)”, and Its composor (Mr. Takemasa) contributed the song with abandonment copyright of the song. Generally, using phrase of local folk song into part of Yosakoi song is mandatory of Yosakoi Style Festival; therefore, now many teams compose their original songs and play live band on Jikatasha. The style is managed from original Yosakoi-bushi to rock style, samba style and so on, which is the biggest reason why Yosakoi Festival is accepted by young generations and widely spread in Japan. It can be said that Mr. Takemasa contributed the popularity of Yosakoi.

Naruko (musical instrument)

Naruko is an irreplaceable instrument for Yosakoi Festival. Originally, Naruko was a tool to scare birds such as sparrows hanging out at fields. When Yosakoi Festival was born in Kochi - prefecture, Awaodori was already famous for its style with bare hands. Yosakoi referred to it and also started to use instruments. The reason why Naruko was chosen for the instrument was because it was familiar with Kochi. Traditionally black and yellow sticks are settled on vermilion wooden body, but now the original form is arranged in terms of color, material, and shape to match each costume. Also, Yosakoi is getting familiarized by being introduced in P.E. classes at schools and so on.

Costume

There is no regulation on color or design for costume. When Yosakoi was born, men and women enjoyed dancing with Yukata. But now dance has been changed, and variations have increased such as ethnic style, rock style, or old style. Therefore, many teams now create new costumes every year depending on the theme of the team, which add spice of each individuality.

Jikatasya

Jikatasha was appeared at the 4th Yosakoi Festival in Kochi at the first time. Jikatasha is the leading truck of teams which represents the symbol of the teams. The driver’s seat plays the role of the command of the team. The body of the truck is decorated with the team concept and career mobile live stage for sound machineries and band. It is now used as the moving device or illumination that entertain audience.

Event Information

“Super Yosakoi Festival” will be held on 3 stages and 3 streets in Harajuku. More than 100 teams gather at Harajuku from all over Japan in the last weekend of August. “Super Yosakoi Festival” celebrates 21th festival in this year.

Venue map

Event Name
Harajuku Omotesando Genki Festival Super Yosakoi 2023
Date
August 26th(Sat)・27th(Sun), 2023
Place
Harajuku (Western Tokyo)
Organizer
Shopping District Promotion Association Harajuku Omotesando Keyakikai
Participating team
103teams
Venue (3 stages and 3 streets)
Harajuku-guchi Stage: 26th(Sat)・27th(Sun)
Jingu-kaikan Stage: 26th(Sat)・27th(Sun)
Yoyogi park Stage: 26th(Sat)・27th(Sun)
Street Venue in front of NHK: 26th(Sat)・27th(Sun)
Omotesando Avenue Venue: 27th(Sun)
Yoyogi-no-mori Bonodori Venue: 26th(Sat)・27th(Sun)

Information on each venue

Harajuku-guchi Stage

The nearest station
JR Harajuku station Omotesando exit/ Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line & Fukutoshin Line Meiji Jingu mae(Harajuku) station exit 2 , 1-minute walk.
Show Time
Aug 26th(Sat)11:30 ~ 19:00
Aug 27th(Sun)10:00 ~ 17:30
Guidance
The main stage at the entrance of Meiji Jingu where the opening and closing ceremony will be held.

Jingu-kaikan Stage

The nearest station
JR Harajuku station Omotesando exit

JR Harajuku station Omotesando exit/ Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line & Fukutoshin Line Meiji Jingu mae(Harajuku) station exit 2, 10-minute walk.

Show Time

Aug 26th(Sat)10:30 ~ 17:30
Aug 27th(Sun)10:00 ~ 17:00

Guidance
9-minute walk through the precinct from Harajuku stage. There is a special stage at the parking lot in front of Jingu-kaikan. The stage is surrounded with the grove of the shrine.

Street Venue in front of NHK

The nearest station
JR Harajuku station Omotesando exit/ Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line & Fukutoshin Line Meiji Jingu mae(Harajuku) station exit 1 or 2, 10-minute walk. JR Shibuya station, 10-minute walk.
Show Time
Aug 26th(Sat)10:00 ~ 19:00
Aug 27th(Sun)10:00 ~ 17:00
Guidance
All participated team will do performance on 26th. Can’t miss it!
You can watch comfortably at this street.

Yoyogi park Stage

The nearest station

JR Harajuku station Omotesando exit/ Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line & Fukutoshin Line Meiji Jingu mae(Harajuku) station exit 1 or 2, 10-minute walk. JR Shibuya station, 15-minute walk.

Show Time
Aug 26th(Sat)10:00 ~ 19:00
Aug 27th(Sun)10:00 ~ 17:00
Guidance
You can watch Yosakoi and eat local foods gathering from many parts of Japan which can be get at the gourmet fair held next door. There is also a space for visitors to jump in and experience Yosakoi.

Omotesando Avenue Venue

The nearest station

Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line・Ginza line・Hanzomon line Omotesando station A1 or A2 exit, 1-minute walk.

Show Time
Aug 27th(Sun)11:10 ~ 16:15
Guidance
This show will be only on 26th with the regulation of traffic on Omotesando which is a must-see.

Yoyogi-no-mori Bonodori Venue

The nearest station

Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line Yoyogi-koen Station exit 3, 3-minute walk. Odakyu line Yoyogi-Hachiman station, 5-minute walk.

Show Time

Aug 26th(Sat)11:30 ~ 16:30
Aug 27th(Sun)11:00 ~ 16:00

Jiman-Ichi (Local foods and products Fair)

The nearest station
JR Harajuku station Omotesando exit / Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line & Fukutoshin Line Meiji Jingu mae(Harajuku) station exit 1 or 2, 10-minute walk. JR Shibuya station, 15-minute walk
Show Time
Aug 26th(Sat)10:00 ~ 19:00
Aug 27th(Sun)10:00 ~ 17:00
Guidance
Foods and Products Fair from many parts of Japan will be held in the plaza adjacent to Yoyogi park stage!

PR zone

The nearest station
The nearest station JR Harajuku Omotesando exit Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line Meiji Jingu mae station 2 exit, 1-minute walk.
Show Time
Aug 26th(Sat)11:00 ~ 17:30
Aug 27th(Sun)10:00 ~ 17:00
Guidance
At the PR Zone inside the Meiji Jingu, Sponsor companies will conduct public relations activities.

Organizer (Keyakikai) Introduction

Seat of Shopping District Promotion Association Harajuku Omotesando Keyakikai

6-9-1 Tominaga building B1 #2, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

03‐3406‐4303

about 600 stores

women’s clothes store(250)/ variety store(310)


The Charter of Harajuku Omotesando

  1. the town full of friendsip, love, and vigor
  2. the town treasure nature and environment
  3. the town send art and culture
  4. the town look history and science
  5. the town create peace, future, and happiness

Effort toward environment of Harajuku Omotesando Keyaki-kai

Harajuku Omotesando Keyaki-kai have been creating town respect for environment since 1970’s.
We would like to introduce what we have done until now and the future.

  • In 1973, inauguration Harajuku Champs-Elysees - slogan is 「Keep Clean Keep Green」that is respect for environment since this time.
  • 1974 Harajuku women’s marathon.
  • 1980 Harajuku music festival.
  • 1981 started diagnosis of zelkove trees(Keyaki) - we have been doing diagnosis of zelkove tree(Keyaki) which is symbol of the town.
  • 1991~1997 started construction project of street scenery restoration.
  • 1991~1998 operation of illumination project.
  • 1999 change name from Harajuku Champs-Elysees to Harajuku Omotesando Keyaki-kai - to define area identity.
  • 1999 the Charter of Harajuku Omotesando.
  • 2000 started sweeper team and clean busters.
  • 2001 Harajuku Omotesando eco-avenue 21 declaration.
  • 2001 Harajuku Omotesando Genki Festival, Super Yosakoi.
  • 2002 test lighting illumination with fuel battery.
  • 2002 piaza eco-farm opened in Tomidu, Chiba.
  • 2003 started Greenbird cleaning volunteer.
  • 2003 practice of examination for energy saving consciousness as eco-avenue - we had cooperation 62 stores out of 70.
  • 2006 establishment of automatic collection machine for can and bottle at Omotesando in Keyaki festival project with deadline.
  • 2006 Cool Asia 2006 - collaborate with Ministry of the Environment at Omotesando hills.
  • 2006 opened piaza eco farm cafe.
  • 2006 Lighting Omotesando with LED.
  • 2008 Zero garbage mission - started by restaurants.
  • 2008 the conclusion of partners agreement about environment protect project.
  • 2009~2011 operation of Omotesando illumination with LED,
    establishment of automatic collection machine for can and bottle.
    Omotesando illumination 2009 - a Keyaki tree lighted up by solar energy generator (A Keyaki in front of Jingu police station)
    Omotesando illumination 2010 - offset for discharge CO2 of illumination electricity.

CONTACT

Harajuku Omotesando Genki Festival Super Yosakoi office
6-9-1 Tominaga building B1 #2 Jingumae Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, zip150-0001
TEL:03-3406-5572 FAX:03-3406-0955 Weekdays(Monday thru Friday)10:00~18:00