Only 6 days left until the Yosakoi Festival! This time, we'll introduce "Jūnin Toiro," a team that captivates audiences with their powerful male dances and graceful female dances.

Their dynamic, sharp "movement" dances, and their graceful, dignified "stillness" dances—the popular team "Jūnin Toiro" has consistently charmed audiences with their breathtaking formations and unique worldview.

On July 30th, the dancers gathered in the gymnasium—

A first-time participant:

"The practice sessions are gradually getting tougher, with the instructors putting in more effort, but the fun outweighs the stress!"

In 2026, 147 people, ranging in age from 10 to their 50s, participated. They practiced five days a week since late May. Formed in 1998, "Jūnin Toiro" is a highly skilled team that has won the Yosakoi Grand Prize five times and the Gold Prize in 2025.


Dance leader Yu Shimazaki:
"Please make sure to move widely from side to side. Otherwise, you'll be hidden by the male and female dancers and won't be visible at all. Male dancers, please make sure to move firmly from side to side."

The team's true strength lies in the team's spirited and passionate male dance and the graceful female dance, perfectly synchronized even in the angle of their hats.

Dancer participating for the second time:
"I really love that there's a 'color that only Toiro can produce.'"

Dancer participating for the second time:
"I fell in love with the 'passion of Toiro.'"

Manami Hatanaka has also decided to participate for the second time, following her participation in 2025.

Manami Hatanaka (second time participant):
"I'm consciously putting my strength into making sure my hat cuts sharply. This year, I want to see even more 'smiles,' and I want to use that as motivation to dance."

The theme for 2026 is "As long as I have your smile."


For Shota and Tsurumi Tsuzuki, a married couple dancing with this team for the first time in eight years, there was someone who supported them during their practice.

The Tsuzuki couple, performing with "Jūnin Toiro" for the first time in eight years:
Husband: "It's definitely our family. We practice at home too, and our children watch with smiles on their faces."
Wife: "They're so innocent, they practice with us every day, even at home, smiling. I hope they'll work hard so I can give them a flower medal."

Even though it was nighttime, the temperature in the gymnasium exceeded 30℃. The dancers were sweating profusely.

Dancer:
"It's like a sauna... I could just drink here forever, I'm sweating so much."

With the team's motto, "100 days of training, results in an instant," in their hearts, they stoically pursue "beauty" while battling the heat.

Dance leader Yu Shimazaki:
"Make it clear! Clearly! More! Stop! Quick, quick, quick, yes! Stop, stop, stop, stop!"

These are the dancers. Who do they want to make smile?

Dancer from Aomori:
"My mother, I guess. We live apart now."

Dancer participating for the first time:
"The smiles of the audience who come to see us, and my own smile. While showing my charm points!"

Dancer participating for the 8th time:
"I want to dance for the dance leader. I want to dance intensely, yet ephemerally, and at the same time, maintain perfect form in line. I want to do my best to aim for the top prize."

Although we can't show it in this video, in 2026 they are taking on a new challenge in addition to maintaining their "Toiro style." Please enjoy it at the venue.


Ten People, Ten Colors - Dance Leader, Yu Shimazaki:
"We're doing the same thing over and over again, doing it to the fullest, so we want to create a dance that can move people and give them courage."

To make a colorful array of smiles bloom on the big day—

"Ten People, Ten Colors, Here We Go!"

"Yosakoi Series Project." Next up is the popular team "Inan" from Tosashimizu City. In 2026, their theme is "Roots," expressing the spirit of the great figure chosen as the protagonist of the historical drama.

And in 2026, Sansan TV will once again broadcast live coverage of the passionate performances from the Harimaya Bridge competition venue for the two days of the Yosakoi Festival. Our guests will be Wakako Shimazaki, Hiroshi Miyama, and freelance announcer Maasa Takahashi.