KOKUYOSA 2026 is almost here! The 2nd North America International Yosakoi Festival takes over Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge on September 19–20 — and admission is completely free. Here is everything you need to plan your visit.
Saturday, Sept 19 — Festival Day (9:30–18:31)
- 9:30 & 14:05 — Opening and afternoon parades by all 12 teams
- 9:45 — Taiko drum performance
- 11:15 & 15:10 — Two contest rounds: 12 teams from Japan, the U.S. and Canada compete for the Grand Prize
- 14:25 — Partnership performances: Japanese and North American teams dance together
- 14:43 — Guest performance: Okinawan Eisa
- 17:40 — Awards ceremony and Grand Prize performance
- 18:21 — The final sō-odori: everyone is invited to dance!
Sunday, Sept 20 — Free Workshop Morning (9:00–12:00)
Learn yosakoi from three instructors from Japan — including dances to songs you already know, like Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” — then join the mass dance in the garden. No experience needed.
Good to know
- Admission is free, no tickets needed
- Food trucks and Japanese festival food all day
- Official goods: naruko clappers, T-shirts and wooden medals
- Please note: the Japanese Garden interior is closed for paving repairs during the festival weekend — all activities take place on the adjacent festival grounds
- Share your photos with #KOKUYOSA2026
いよいよKOKUYOSA 2026! 第2回北米国際よさこい祭りは9月19日(土)・20日(日)、レスブリッジの日加友好庭園で開催。入場は無料です。
- 土曜(9:30〜18:31): 全12チームのパレード(9:30・14:05)/太鼓/コンテスト2回戦(11:15・15:10)/パートナーシップ演舞(14:25)/沖縄エイサー(14:43)/表彰式(17:40)/そして誰でも参加できる総踊り(18:21)
- 日曜(9:00〜12:00): 誰でも参加無料のよさこいワークショップ。Justin Bieber「Beauty and a Beat」など知っている曲で踊れます
- 入場無料・チケット不要/フードトラック終日/公式グッズ(鳴子・Tシャツ・メダル)販売
- ※開催期間中、庭園内は舗装工事のため入場不可。催しはすべて隣接する会場エリアで行われます
- 写真の投稿は #KOKUYOSA2026 で!