The Soka Yosakoi and Samba Festival Soka moved to Autumn, from summer, after the pandemic. A much better time for it in my personal opinion. I don’t know how those dancers normally survive a day of dancing in elaborate costumes in the heat and humidity of July! This year it will be on in September – the last Sunday of the month, the 27th. However, it will only be for one day again rather than the usual two as it was before the pandemic. They are still recruiting dance teams and food trucks, so if you want to participate in this lively event now’s your chance!
Soka Yosako and Samba Festival
The festival never really returned to its former glory since the pandemic. Apart from only being on on one day instead of two, it also it finishes at the earlier time of 6 pm. It starts at 11 am. However, it is well worth visiting as they pack in dozens of performances into the one day. There are two main areas. One is called the “rotary stage”, as it is at the station rotary. The other is the “street stage”. There are performances at each at the same time. There is mainly yosakoi, but the samba portion of the Soka Yosakoi Samba Festival culminates with the Samba Finale from 5:15 p.m. to 5:40 p.m., bringing performers together for a lively conclusion to the day’s celebrations around Soka Station West Exit.
Information
Event: Soka Yosakoi Samba Festival 草加よさこいサンバフェスティバル
Date: Sunday September 27th 2026 only (not two days like before the pandemic).
Time: from 11 am to 6 pm.
Cost: there is no admission fee
Venue: Hikawacho, Sōka, Saitama 340-0034. Hikawacho is the area by the west exit of Soka Station. View on Google Maps.
Access
The festival is on around the west exit of the Soka station. Soka station is on the Tobu Isesaki Skytree Line. It is one stop away from the border of Tokyo and Saitama meaning a lot of people commute from Tokyo to enjoy this effervescent festival.
Editor’s note: this post was temporarily removed from the website during the pandemic. It was republished on August 30th 2023. 50500. Updated annually.