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Minami-Alps Yosakoi Festival

      Date:　Sunday, June 6th, 2010 

      Location: Kushigata Park, Minami Alps City

Access: A 35 minute bus ride from Kofu Station followed by a 15-minute walk

 （Postal Code: 400-0301　1600 Momosono, Minami Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture）

 As part of the Minami-Alps Foothill Fruits Festival, over 30 teams across Japan will gather in Kushigata Park,  sharing their unique yosakoi dance styles with the locals and fans alike.

Please see Minami Alps Yosakoi Festival Homepage for details. (in Japanese)

 Cultural note on YOSAKOI

(from wikipedia) 

" Yosakoi (よさこい) is a unique style of dance that originated in Japan. Yosakoi started in the city of Kōchi in 1954, as a modern rendition of Awa Odori, a traditional summer dance. Yosakoi-style dancing has spread throughout much of Japan. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional Japanese dance movements with modern music. The choreographed dances are often performed by large teams. Along with a number of professional yosakoi schools and town dance teams, yosakoi is also a popular event during the sports festivals held by Japanese elementary, junior, and senior high schools. Yosakoi participants include men and women of almost all ages – sometimes within a single team. In the dialect of Tosa province (modern-day Kōchi Prefecture), 'yosakoi' means 'Come at night.'  "

 

 

 

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