Vibrant Performances, Kakogawa City Embraced by Enthusiasm for 2 Days: The 28th Odokko Festival to be Held

The 28th Odokko Festival will be held in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture (Mayor: Yasuhiro Okada) for two days on Sunday, May 3rd and Monday (holiday), May 4th, 2026, at special stages throughout the city. Since its inception in 1999, this event, carefully nurtured by the hands of its citizens, is celebrating its 28th anniversary this year. The sight of all generations passionately colliding stirs the hearts of onlookers and continues to foster new vitality and culture in the Kakogawa basin. This year, a total of 52 teams from within and outside the prefecture have entered. The area in front of the city hall and around Kakogawa Station will be filled with the passion and joy of the dancers for these two special days. ■ 28th Odokko Festival Overview ◆ Dates Parade: May 3, 2026 (Sun) 16:00-17:30 Eve Festival: May 3, 2026 (Sun) 18:00-20:30 Main Festival: May 4, 2026 (Mon/holiday) 10:00-20:30 * "Guuutto! Kakogawa Festival": May 4, 2026 (Mon/holiday) 10:00-20:30 at Kakogawa City Hall Plaza (with stalls, merchandise sales, etc.) * On the main festival day, May 4th, actor and Kakogawa Tourism Ambassador Joe Nakamura will appear as the presenter for the Kakogawa Tourism Association President's Award. ◆ Venues (Competition Venues) * Special stage in front of Kakogawa City Hall (Judging venue) * SHOWA Group Kakogawa Civic Hall * Kakogawa Yamato Yashiki rooftop * Kakogawa Station North Car Parking Area ◆ Number of Participating Teams A total of 52 teams (cumulative 78 teams including the eve festival and main festival) will enter. ◆ Judging and Awards ① Grand Prize ② Semi-Grand Prize ③ Kakogawa Mayor's Award ④ Kakogawa Board of Education Superintendent's Award ⑤ Special Awards (6 awards: Sō, Sai, Ka, Takumi, Kyoku, Kanade) ① Gold Prize ② Silver Prize ③ Hyogo Prefectural Governor's Award ④ Kakogawa Tourism Association Award ⑤ Special Awards (6 awards: Gō, Yume, Dō, Raku, Shō, En) "Anata ga Taisho" (You are the Grand Prize) (decided by popular vote on Facebook) Individual awards (medals) will be presented at the Kakogawa Station North competition venue. ◆ Organizer NPO Odokko Festival Promotion Association ◆ Official Website https://odokko.com/ 【Program】 Please see the following website for details. https://odokko.com/program28.html 【About Participating Teams】 A total of 52 teams (cumulative 78 teams) will participate in the eve festival and main festival. Please see the following website for details. https://odokko.com/team28.html 【About Venues】 Address: 2000 Kitazai, Kakogawa-cho, Kakogawa City Address: 30-1 Shinohara-cho, Kakogawa-cho, Kakogawa City (Kakogawa Yamato Yashiki rooftop, Kakogawa Station North Car Parking Area) ■ A Dance Festival Born in Kakogawa, Where the City Comes Alive Across Generations The "Odokko Festival" is the largest regional dance festival, born in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1999 with the aim of citizens themselves creating a new culture. While rooted in Kochi's Yosakoi Festival, it has uniquely evolved to revitalize the Kakogawa basin and promote intergenerational exchange. Each year, unique teams from both local areas and across the country gather, and the entire city is enveloped in vibrant costumes, original music, and energy-filled performances. This festival, where all generations from children to seniors unite through the "joy of dance," transcends the boundaries of a mere event and has become a source of regional vitality symbolizing the bonds of Kakogawa.