We are the Toronto branch of the “Kochi Yosakoi Ambassador KIZUNA International Team,” officially recognized by Kochi Prefecture as a Yosakoi Ambassador, and are based in Toronto, Canada.
The Toronto branch works closely with our Ottawa branch and participates in festivals, cultural events, and international exchange events in Toronto and throughout Canada, sharing the wonder of Yosakoi with people from all backgrounds.
Because Toronto is a city where people from all over the world come together, we want to create a place through Yosakoi where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves, discover a new side of themselves, and connect with new friends beyond differences in nationality and culture.
We aim to be a team where anyone with these interests can feel welcome and participate, regardless of age, experience, or nationality.
Through Yosakoi, which was born in Kochi, we want to share its energy and charm from Toronto to Canada and the world.
We hope to create a place where both dancers and audiences can smile, where people and cultures connect, and where everyone can be part of something meaningful together.
EMIKO TANAKA
Thank you very much for your interest in KIZUNA International Team’s Toronto Branch.
I was born in Nagoya, Japan, and have been living in Toronto, Canada for 20 years. Alongside my work in Japanese language education and international exchange, I have been involved in Yosakoi for 21 years.
I started dancing Yosakoi in Japan and have since helped establish Yosakoi teams in Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world. In recognition of these activities, I was officially recognized by Kochi Prefecture as a Yosakoi Ambassador. This became the starting point for establishing KIZUNA International Team, an international team that brings together dancers from around the world.
I currently serve as a Kochi Prefecture Tourism Ambassador and Ino Town Tourism Ambassador, promoting the beauty and wonder of Yosakoi and Kochi around the world.
I also work as a Cultural Ambassador on international cruise ships, introducing guests from around the world to the wonder of Yosakoi and Japanese cultures.
For me, Yosakoi is much more than just a dance.
Born in Kochi, Yosakoi has the power to energize both the people who dance and those who watch, naturally bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. It also has a unique ability to bring people together beyond differences in nationality, age, language, and culture—even allowing people who have just met to dance together and become one.
Through my experiences dancing Yosakoi around the world and meeting people from many different backgrounds, I have come to truly understand the incredible power Yosakoi has to connect people and cultures.
That is why, here in Toronto—a city where people from all over the world come together—I want more people to discover the wonderful culture of Yosakoi, which was born in Kochi. I also hope to create a place where new friendships and connections can begin through Yosakoi.
KIZUNA International Team brings together members from around the world, with diverse cultures and backgrounds.
We value creating an environment where every member can genuinely feel, “I love dancing!” We support one another and work together to create each performance as one team. I believe that experience itself is one of the greatest strengths and joys of KIZUNA International Team.
We will continue to connect with people through Yosakoi, spreading smiles and creating new connections from Toronto to Canada and the rest of the world.
First, come and watch one of our performances. And if you find yourself thinking, “I’d like to dance with them,” please feel free to join us and become part of our KIZUNA family!
Meet people you may never have met anywhere else, create experiences you can only have here, and enjoy Yosakoi to the fullest together.
I sincerely look forward to the day when we can dance together!
Emiko Tanaka
Representative, KIZUNA International Team – Toronto Branch
Practice Day: Every Sunday, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
*Schedule may change depending on events and other circumstances.
Practice Location: A dance studio approximately a 5-minute walk from Dupont Station
*The exact location will be provided to participants.
Participation Fee: First session is FREE
・Drop-in: $15 per practice
・Monthly: $10 × the number of practices that month
Contact: toronto@kizunayosakoi.com
No previous Yosakoi experience is necessary!
Come join us and enjoy Yosakoi together!