Dream Yosacoy Festival

Yes, that’s how they spell it.  Dream Yosacoy—as you can tell from the name—is a bit different. While most outdoor dance festivals are held during the hot summer months, this one is on the cusp of winter.  It’s a big deal though. In its sixteenth year, the festival attracts 500,000 spectators and 7,000 dancers split into 100 teams.

Although the large group size and the doing things in unison thing might seem a bit regimental, yosakoi is one of the more flexible Japanese dance forms with teams incorporating contemporary fashion, hairstyles, costumes and dance moves into the traditional art form.

Anticipating the inclement late Autumn weather, a covered stand for spectators has been prepared in the plaza area behind the huge Diver City shopping complex.

In addition to Odaiba, there will be a secondary venues at Akihabara UDX and in the large square outside JR Yurakucho Station.

(Greg Lane)