Nothing captures the fusion of tradition with modern accents more than Japanese Festivals, specifically Japanese Street Dance Festivals.  One particularly photogenic style is Yosakoi, a dance performed at many festivals across the nation.  Yosakoi, in its modern incarnation, was first performed more than 60 years ago, but its origins run much deeper, as the music adapted for the current day performances sample from much older, traditional Japanese music.

The dance is characteristically very energetic, and the performance is usually performed by a large team working in unison.  Dancers of all ages participate in Yosakoi performances, from elementary school student to seasoned veteran.  Sometimes a team can have representatives that span the entire age gamut.  Imagine the culturally rich photos you will have access to as the performers sway and move to the rhythm generated by the fusion ballads and songs.  Your Japan Dreamscapes Workshop Leaders have years of experience in Japan and can take you to the most engaging performances from across Japan.

Although the groups’ performances vary by region, there is one element, the naruko, or wooden clapper, that is present in some form in every group.  In its original use, the naruko was used to scare crows and other birds from the rice fields, but it has been adapted as a flourish to sometimes very elaborate costumes.  The naruko itself makes an amazing photo op.  The dances have very carefully calculated pauses, and you can seize that moment to freeze them in time with your camera as you take their picture.

The appeal is so far reaching, that Tokyo holds an annual Yosakoi performance with performer numbers growing every year.  Sapporo in Hokkaido is also home to an annual performance that is so expansive it occupies several different parks in the city’s area.  Of course, Kochi in Shikoku holds contests and public performances throughout the year, and other metropolitan cities such as Kyoto also have growing numbers of Yosakoi performances.