Harajuku Station

Late August is always a good time for dancing in the streets, with many major festivals happening around this time of year. The Yosakoi dance originated in Kochi prefecture in 1954, where it was created to help revitalise the struggling post-war economy. Tokyo's very own Super Yosakoi festival, however, while relatively new, has been going on for over two decades now. This massive event sees about 110 teams of brightly attired dancers from across Japan and around the world, trying to outdo each other as they strut their stuff to the rhythm of the naruko – a type of clapper that the people of Kochi originally used to scare birds away from the fields. The dance performances take place at various locations within the Harajuku/Shibuya area. But if you only see one thing, make sure it’s the massive parade along the tree-lined Omotesando avenue on Sunday, August 30 from 11.10am to 4.15pm. Stage performances and a yatai food fair serving up Kochi prefecture delicacies will also be held at Yoyogi Park Event Square on Saturday and Sunday from 10am. What's more, the tree-lined boulevard between the NHK Hall and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium is hosting a smaller yosakoi dance procession, around the same time. At the Yoyogi Park Be Stage venue, you can enjoy Yosakoi performances from 11.30am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. For the latest information, check the event website.