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Event Guide · Hokkaido

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

JuneSapporo2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days
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Overview

Overview

A dance festival that began in Sapporo in 1992, combining Kochi's Yosakoi Festival with Hokkaido's Soran Bushi folk song. Apart from two rules — dance holding naruko clappers, and include a phrase from Soran Bushi in the music — anything goes. About 270 teams with some 27,000 dancers perform at Odori Park and other locations around Sapporo, drawing about 2 million visitors.

When
Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June
Confirmed dates: 2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days
Venue
Venues across Sapporo, centered on Odori Park (including the West 8 chome Main Stage)
Official website
https://www.yosakoi-soran.jp/
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

The biggest highlight is the sheer power of teams of dozens to a hundred dancers moving in unison, naruko in hand, with huge flags and flamboyant costumes. The moment the Grand Prize is announced at the Final Stage on the last night, the whole venue erupts.

Times

Times

Opening (Day 1)18:00–18:30

2026 example (6/10). Followed by performances by Sapporo teams from 18:30 to 21:30

Soran Night (Day 3)18:00–21:30

2026 example (Fri 6/12). Featuring award-winning teams

Saturday performances10:00–21:30

2026 example (6/13). The Saturday Night Parade runs 19:00–20:40

Final Stage Part 1 (final day)15:00–17:15

2026 example (6/14)

Final Stage Part 2 (final day)18:30–21:00

2026 example (6/14). The Grand Prize is decided during this stage

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Performances run all day only on the weekend. On weekdays they are mainly in the evening, so check the venues and timetable on the official website to match your schedule
  • ✓The Main Stage is at West 8 chome in Odori Park. Visiting several venues, such as the parade route and the Susukino venue, lets you enjoy performances with a different atmosphere
  • ✓The Final Stage on the last day gets extremely crowded, so move there early
  • ✓You can watch while eating Hokkaido food from the venue's food booths
  • ✓The official website has an English page where you can read an overview of the festival in English
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Odori Station (Subway Namboku, Tozai, and Toho Lines)About 5 min on foot (West 8 chome Main Stage)Center of the Odori venue
  • Nishi 11-chome Station (Subway Tozai Line)About 3 min on footWestern venues in Odori Park
  • Susukino Station (Subway Namboku Line)Right outsideSusukino venue
From major stations
  • Sapporo Station: Subway Namboku Line to Odori Station (1 stop), or walk through the underground walkway (About 2 min by subway, about 10 min on foot)
  • New Chitose Airport: JR Rapid Airport to Sapporo Station, then transfer to the subway (About 40 min plus transfer)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
The Sapporo Municipal Subway and JR accept nationwide interoperable IC cards such as Kitaca, Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA
Getting back
  • Odori Station gets crowded after the evening performances end, so using another station such as Nishi 11-chome or Susukino is relatively smoother
  • Traffic restrictions may be in place around Odori Park during the festival, so cars and taxis are not ideal
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Saturday afternoon into the evening, and around the Final Stage on the last day (Sunday)
Quieter times
Right after performances start on weekdays (the 18:00 hour)
Saving a spot
To watch the Final Stage from the free area, you need to claim a spot well before it starts. If you want to be sure to see it, consider paid reserved seating
Time needed
1–2 hours at one venue, or half a day to visit several venues
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
According to JMA normals, Sapporo in June has a high of around 22°C and a low of around 13°C. Watching at night can feel chilly
What to wear
Some days are warm enough for short sleeves during the day, but bring a jacket if you'll be watching into the night. A hat for sun protection is also a good idea
Rain, snow & typhoons
Performances usually go ahead in light rain, but check official announcements for how severe weather is handled
Where to check for cancellations
YOSAKOI Soran Festival official website (https://www.yosakoi-soran.jp/), official X (@YosakoiSoranFes)
☁ Hokkaido weather in June →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not step into the path of performing teams or into the performance areas
  • !Dispose of trash according to the venue's sorting rules or take it home
  • !Refrain from using selfie sticks and tripods in crowded viewing areas, as they bother people around you
  • !Refrain from smoking in Odori Park except in designated areas
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
You can use the public toilets in Odori Park and toilets in nearby commercial facilities and underground shopping areas, but there may be lines when it's crowded
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers are available at Odori and Sapporo stations. Avoid bringing suitcases to the crowded venues; leave them at your hotel or a station
Paying at food stalls
Payment methods vary among food booths. Bring cash too in case some are cash only
ATMs
Available at convenience stores (Seven Bank ATMs, etc.) around Odori Station and in underground shopping areas
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
Odori Park is flat, but viewing areas get extremely crowded during performances, and at times it's difficult to get around with a wheelchair or stroller
Food

Food

Local favorites
Hokkaido food from the venue's food boothsYaki-tokibi (grilled corn, an Odori Park specialty)
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so it's best to check with each vendor
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Teams and spectators come from all over Japan during the festival, and hotels in Sapporo fill up. Booking early is recommended, especially for weekends

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near YOSAKOI Soran FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near YOSAKOI Soran Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Sapporo

Zoo

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama

Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.

Aquarium

AOAO SAPPORO

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji

An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Experience

Shiroi Koibito Park

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.

Experience

HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE

Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima

A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.

See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Hokkaido

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

February

Otaru Snow Light Path

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

April–October

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)

2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)

May

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

July–August

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

July

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

August

Hakodate Port Festival

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)

September–October

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

November–March

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

December

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25

2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)

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Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

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