Yosakoi (or as this festival spells it, 'yosakoy') Odori may not have the most alluring origin story – it was first devised in the 1950s as an effort to revive the post-war economy – yet festivals celebrating the dance demonstrate its extraordinary popularity in Japan. Expect to see around 100 teams of performers combine traditional Japanese movements with contemporary music at this two-day festival, the biggest of its kind in Tokyo. It will feature around 7,000 participants, each of whom carries a pair of naruko (wooden clappers) to accentuate the dance with rhythms.
The festivities take place in two areas, but if you want to catch the free performances, make a beeline for Tokyo Station's Marunouchi side on Sunday November 5 from 10.25am to 1.30pm. Additional performances are held around Odaiba over the weekend, but these require a paid ticket. However, there are also designated areas where you can watch for free. You can check the schedule here.