KOKUYOSA 2026 offers the following awards. Every participating team is eligible.
🏆 Grand Prize
The top award, given to the highest-scoring team
Awarded to the team with the highest overall judging score.
🌟 Awards of Excellence (3 categories)
🌟 Award of Excellence — “Yume” (Dream)
For the team that best expresses unity, joy, and bonds.
🌟 Award of Excellence — “Sō” (Creation)
For the team showing outstanding originality and artistic creativity.
🌟 Award of Excellence — “Iki” (Elegance)
For the team that most gracefully expresses the traditional beauty and spirit of Yosakoi.
🌸 Nikka Yuko Garden Award
A special award for the team that best blends North American culture into Yosakoi
Awarded to the team that most beautifully blends North American culture, history, and style into Yosakoi.
🪘 Naruko Award
For the team whose use of the naruko was the most striking and effective.
🎖️ Judges’ Special Award
Selected at the judges’ discretion.
💡 Every participating team is eligible for an award. Score allocations and results are not made public. For details on judging, see the Judging Criteria page.
🏅 1st KOKUYOSA 2025 award-winning teams
🏆 Grand Prize
Uzumaru
🌸 Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden Award
Kogyoku
🌟 Special Award “Iki”
Obiyamachi-suji
🌟 Special Award “Yume”
Sakuramai Toronto
🌟 Special Award “Sō”
SoftBank Yosakoi Club -ONE-
🎖️ Judges’ Special Award
YOSOCA
🪘 Naruko Award
Kochi Yosakoi Ambassador Kizuna International Team