KOKUYOSA 2026 · 2nd Edition Special Guests
For the 2nd KOKUYOSA, we are delighted to welcome three special guests from Japan: choreographer Chika Tamura, returning from the first edition, and Yoshihiro Kaneko of the team Narutaka, who serves as vocalist, overall director, and lyricist, and dancer and choreographer ZEN, founder and leader of the Tokyo yosakoi team SUN 燦.
Invited guests
Chika Tamura
Based at the Kochi Little Players Theater, Chika Tamura is active in Yosakoi choreography and in the planning and direction of events, and is also known as an instructor of “drama workshops” themed on rich communication. At Yosakoi Kobo Saisai she handles choreography and direction, influencing many dancers. At KOKUYOSA 2026 she will again lead a workshop open to everyone—a fun chance to learn Yosakoi choreography and lore.
Yoshihiro Kaneko
Yoshihiro Kaneko is the vocalist, overall director, and lyricist of Narutaka, a Yosakoi team from Kochi. As the representative of Retrock, he leads the team’s performance production and choreography and has earned numerous awards. He is also active in spreading Yosakoi internationally, helping to share Kochi’s Yosakoi culture overseas. At KOKUYOSA 2026 he joins us to bring the energy and artistry of Narutaka to the stage.
ZEN
ZEN (Koki Ota) hails from Kochi Prefecture — the birthplace of yosakoi — and is the founder and leader of Tokyo yosakoi team SUN 燦. A professional dancer active in Tokyo’s club scene as “SWING TOP STARS☆” and as a choreographer, model and instructor, he founded the yosakoi street-dance team “Otorain” in 2006, led it to numerous festival awards, and launched SUN in 2012, returning to dance at the Kochi Yosakoi Festival itself in 2017. At KOKUYOSA 2026 he leads the Sunday workshop “Yosakoi to Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress”. Full profile on the SUN website
Local Guest Performers
Lethbridge Community Taiko Association
Opening the festival with the thunder of Japanese drums at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, the Lethbridge Community Taiko Association (LCTA) is an adult, community-based kumi-daiko ensemble. Founded as a not-for-profit society in 2007 and performing since 2008, LCTA has grown from fewer than 10 founding members to nearly 20 registered drummers. Under the leadership of music director Marc Vantol, the group practices year-round and performs at parades, community celebrations and school events — including regular performances at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. A love of rhythm is the only requirement for membership. lethbridgetaiko.com
ShimaKaji — Okinawan Eisa (Calgary)
ShimaKaji（シマカジ） is an Eisa drumming group born from a deep love of Okinawan heritage. Founded in 2025 as part of the Calgary Okinawan Club, they strive to share the beauty of Okinawan culture — its music, its movement, its spirit. Catch their drums and dance on the main stage on Saturday afternoon.
Ignite Dance Academy
Ignite Dance Academy is a Lethbridge dance studio offering ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theatre for all ages and skill levels. True to their motto “It starts with a spark,” their dancers will bring a special guest performance to the KOKUYOSA 2026 stage. ignitedanceacademy.ca · Instagram @ignitedanceacademyinc
Danceworks Dance Academy
Danceworks Dance Academy has been part of the Lethbridge dance community for more than 40 years, training generations of local dancers. Their dancers take the main stage during Saturday’s lunch break as a local guest performer, celebrating the festival together with the local dance community. Instagram @danceworksleth
At KOKUYOSA 2026, you’ll have another rare opportunity to receive direct guidance from leading Yosakoi figures. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy the full appeal of Yosakoi alongside our special guests!
KOKUYOSA 2025 · 1st Edition Special Guests (Archive)
For the very first KOKUYOSA, leading Yosakoi figures from Japan joined us as special guests: Chika Tamura, a renowned choreographer from Kochi, and Takeshi Miyamoto, one of the founders of Hokkaido’s YOSAKOI Soran Festival, known for the songs “Yocchore” and “POWER!” They offered special performance guidance to participants.
Invited guests
Takeshi Miyamoto
Also known as “Mr. YOSAKOI Soran,” Takeshi Miyamoto is one of the founders of Hokkaido’s YOSAKOI Soran Festival and is nationally renowned. He created the sō-odori songs “Yocchore” and “POWER!” and sang “Banzai!! NARUKO CARNIVAL,” the sō-odori song for the festival’s 30th anniversary in 2021. At KOKUYOSA he joined a special performance as the “Banzai NARUKO CARNIVAL” team to energize the venue.
Chika Tamura
Based at the Kochi Little Players Theater, Chika Tamura is active in Yosakoi choreography and in planning and directing events, and is also known as an instructor of “drama workshops” themed on rich communication. At Yosakoi Kobo Saisai she handles choreography and direction, influencing many dancers. At the event she held a simple workshop for the general public, a fun chance to learn Yosakoi choreography and lore.
At this first KOKUYOSA event, there was a rare chance to receive direct guidance from a choreographer and a producer. Workshops open to dancers and spectators alike were also planned. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the full appeal of Yosakoi alongside our special guests!