Yosakoi (or as this festival spells it, 'yosacoy') 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 60 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 over 5,000 performers, each carrying 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 8 from 9.20am to 2pm. 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, such as the Odaiba Central Parade Venue behind DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. You can check the schedule here.