🌸 COMING SEPTEMBER 19–20, 2026 🌸
North American International Yosakoi Festival
📍 Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden | Lethbridge, Alberta
The energy, colour, and spirit of Yosakoi returns to Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden for its second year! Join us for the North American International Yosakoi Festival, a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture, creativity, and community connection.
Originating in Kochi, Japan, Yosakoi Naruko Dance is a dynamic performance style that blends traditional Japanese movement with modern music and choreography. This unique festival brings together performers, cultural ambassadors, and audiences from across North America and beyond for an unforgettable weekend of dance, culture, and celebration.
✨ Festival Highlights:
• Performances by Yosakoi teams from across North America and Japan
• Interactive dance workshops led by instructors from Japan
• Food Truck Friday and local culinary experiences
• Cultural exchange activities and community celebration
• Stunning performances set within the beauty of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Whether you are a longtime fan of Japanese culture or discovering Yosakoi for the first time, this festival offers an exciting opportunity to experience the joy, passion, and unity that Yosakoi inspires around the world.
Let’s continue building a tradition that connects communities across borders through dance, culture, and friendship.
Come dance, clap, and celebrate with us!
Hosted by: Kaede Cultural Society
Hosting Partner: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Full Schedule of Yosakoi Festival
Saturday, September 19, 2026
9:30 Parade performance (all teams)
9:40 Taiko drum performance
9:50 Opening ceremony
10:30 Flag performance “KAEDE”
10:40 Sponsor & KOKUYOSA introductions · meet the judges
11:20 Lottery to decide the contest order
11:30 Contest Round 1 — judged performances (all 12 teams)
12:42 Workshop: dance “SuperNova” with Yoshihiro Kaneko
13:02 Sō-odori, then lunch break
13:30 Guest: Danceworks Dance Academy
13:40 Guest: Ignite Dance Academy
14:00 Parade & partnership performances
14:40 Guest: Eisa (Okinawan traditional dance)
14:55 Workshop: naruko & seicho yosakoi with Chika Tamura
15:25 Round 2 — free performances (all 12 teams)
17:49 Awards & closing ceremony · Grand Prize performance
18:19 Final sō-odori “KAEDE / Yocchore”
Sunday, September 20, 2026
9:00 Workshop Day opens · meet the instructors: Chika Tamura, ZEN, Yoshihiro Kaneko
9:10 Warm-up
9:15 How to use the naruko
9:25 Yosakoi to “Beauty and a Beat” (Justin Bieber), led by Yoshihiro Kaneko
10:10 Yosakoi to “Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress”, led by ZEN
10:55 Yosakoi with Chika Tamura (song to be announced)
11:30 Mass dance in the garden: “Yocchore”, “KAEDE”, Seicho, “HEY∞WA” (everyone welcome)
11:50 Group photo (with drone)
12:00 Workshop day ends
Learn more: https://kokuyosa.com/en/
Sponsors: