Held annually since 2016 in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, “SHIROFES.” is Hirosaki’s signature comprehensive street culture and dance festival. Every year, top-tier dancers from across Japan gather here, making it widely known as a massive event that strongly propels the scene forward.

Marking its 11th year, the festival will return to “Hirosaki Park.” Over three days from Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, 2026, the entire sprawling park—boasting an area more than 10 times the size of Tokyo Dome—will be enveloped in the heat of an even further evolved street culture.

Having passed last year’s milestone, there is no doubt that the excitement will grow even larger from here. SHIROFES. continues to evolve, packing numerous attractions into Hirosaki Park—a venue already brimming with highlights—and astonishingly offers free admission (with some paid areas). Here is a roundup of the overly lavish content that will satisfy dance fans and festival lovers alike.

Can’t Secure Accommodations? No Problem! The “Day-Trip Hirosaki Sightseeing × SHIROFES.” Recommendation

Currently, entry registrations and ticket sales for SHIROFES.2026 are performing exceptionally well, making nearby lodging difficult to reserve. However, there is no need to give up just because you cannot secure a hotel room.

This year’s venue, Hirosaki Park, is a major tourist destination that people of all ages can enjoy throughout the day. You can fully enjoy the festival with a “day-trip plan” that combines savoring local cuisine and exploring surrounding attractions like Hirosaki Castle while soaking in the festival atmosphere. For instance, using transport like overnight buses allows visitors from far away to enjoy a day trip on a budget. Make sure to experience this year’s major cultural event live on-site.

Fun for Families All Day Long! Featuring a Hot New Area 【New Content This Year】Introducing “Wonderland,” an Area for Play and Hands-On Experiences!

This year’s SHIROFES. features updates designed to let the general public and families enjoy themselves beyond the boundaries of dance culture. The centerpiece of this update is the newly introduced experiential area, “Wonderland.”

Featuring “Par-Oni” (Parkour Tag)—making its first appearance in Aomori Prefecture—alongside giant inflatable play structures and exciting experience booths, this is SHIROFES.’s new area where the whole family can jump, run, challenge themselves, and have fun. From children to adults, even those without prior knowledge of dance can look forward to getting fully immersed in this space!

An Attractive Food Area Another highlight brightening the venue is the dining area where food trucks assemble. Visitors can fully indulge in the local food Hirosaki takes pride in. Taking time to choose a menu tailored to your mood from a diverse lineup while feeling the festival’s heat is pure bliss.

The Signature of SHIROFES. Introducing the Main Content!

Experience World-Class Performances on the “FOREST STAGE” Main Stage

With top performers gathering from all over the country, SHIROFES. offers the thrill of close-proximity action, allowing you to feel not only heated dance battles but also world-class performances firsthand.

Additionally, showcase performance slots were opened to public auditions. This presents an extremely rare opportunity to stand on SHIROFES.’s main stage, the “FOREST STAGE,” and perform in front of a massive crowd. Regardless of whether you are a professional or an amateur, it promises to be a special moment where players clash with their self-expression alongside top-tier artists on the same stage.

【Featured】Introducing for the First Time! Live Band Dance Battle “GAME”

The highly anticipated feature marking a new chapter in street dance history is “GAME,” an ALL STYLE 1on1 battle restricted to participants aged 16 and older. Remarkably, this year marks the first-ever live music battle backed by “QUIET STORM KOBE.” Witness how dancers display improvised expressions against live grooves created on the spot rather than recorded tracks. This high-tension, world-class session is a must-see.

Live Music Performances by Local Artists Embodying Aomori Culture

The charm of this event extends beyond dance. Brightening the stage are local artists rich in regional flavor. Attendees can look forward to performances by artists embodying Aomori culture, including traditional Tsugaru flute melodies and overwhelming shamisen performances. Be sure to enjoy the supreme atmosphere brought by their live music at the venue.

Famous “LIVE” and “DJ TIME” Held All Day Across All 3 Days!

Furthermore, SHIROFES. signatures “LIVE” and “DJ TIME” will run all day throughout the event. There lies a supreme environment transcending barriers between young and old, performers and audience, where everyone can chat with a drink in hand and occasionally dance. Surrender yourself to good music spun by DJs and fully enjoy the unique, extraordinary vibe exclusive to SHIROFES.

Dance Workshops Welcoming Everyone from Beginners to Pros

When talking about SHIROFES., the dance workshops hosted by a star-studded lineup are also a must-see. Because active, top-tier dancers serve as instructors, attending such classes usually presents a high hurdle. However, at this event, over 50 participants ranging from beginners to professionals come together to learn dance in a friendly atmosphere.

Held in an open-air venue, the psychological barrier to join is extremely low. It is perfect for making memories with friends and family. As long as you have curiosity about dance, it is a space where everyone is welcomed regardless of skill level.

Dance Workshop Instructors

• 【Sep 1 (Tue)】 THE D SORAKI
• 【Sep 4 (Fri)】 KYOKA, sucreamgoodman (oSaam & Dy), Tony GoGo, Anthology., WATER BOYz, KITE, POPPIN’C
• 【Sep 5 (Sat)】 I still, Yuko Nakamura & ASAKI
• 【Sep 6 (Sun)】 Hirotsugu Kurosu

12 Dance Battles Featuring a Star-Studded Lineup

The core of SHIROFES. is its dance battles. This edition will once again hold diverse battles to determine the champions of each genre. The lineup for all 12 battles divided by age and category is as follows. Luxurious content featuring guest battlers has also been prepared.

Except for some free areas, battle spectating generally requires a paid ticket, so check the official website in advance! Advance tickets are currently on sale, and tickets are also available through Hometown Tax Donation (Furusato Nozei).

HIP HOP 1ON1 “DO OR DIE”
Category: HIP HOP 1on1 (Open to all genders, ages, and nationalities)
Judges: KYOKA, LEO, oSaam, YASS, YUUSHIN
DJ: OBA
MC: CRUDE

LOCKIN’ 1ON1 “EVERYBODY’S UP!!”
Category: LOCKIN’ 1on1 (Open to all genders, ages, and nationalities)
Judges: FUKUSUKE, HANA, ICHI, Tony GoGo
DJ: 3104st
MC: KENSAKU

HOUSE 1ON1 “OPEN YOUR EYES”
Category: HOUSE 1on1 (Open to all genders, ages, and nationalities)
Judges: HIRO, KAZANE, KENJI, PInO, TAKESABURO
DJ: OHISHI
MC: KENSAKU

WAACKIN’ 1ON1 “MIYABI”
Category: WAACKIN’ 1on1 (Open to all genders, ages, and nationalities)
Judges: calin, Koshiki, MEME, Lita, Si4
DJ: Mar Ski
MC: Shishigami

ALL STYLE 2ON2 “DEADLY DUO”
Category: ALL STYLE 2on2 (Open to all genders, ages, and nationalities)
Judges: KEIN, Kyogo, HIKARU, METH, MITSU, SEAN, Teddy Dan, knew
DJ: Shin
MC: PLATINUM PORK

KIDS ALL STYLE 1ON1 BATTLE “NINJA”
Category: KIDS ALL STYLE 1on1
Under 10 division (Open to participants aged 10 and under, regardless of gender or nationality)
Under 15 division (Open to participants aged 15 and under, regardless of gender or nationality)
Judges: KATSU ONE, KYOKA, Hana, RINKA, Yasmin, You-ki, Bufferin, Yuta
DJ: GABAWASH
MC: MACCHAN

O-18 COLLEGE ALL STYLE 1ON1 BATTLE “ROOKIE”
Category: OVER18 COLLEGE ALL STYLE 1on1 (Open to students aged 18 and older, regardless of gender or nationality; High school students excluded)
Judges: Aoi, HONGOU, KEI, MOCCHIN, P-STAR, ryj., SORI, Yusei
DJ: WANI
MC: Shishigami

POPPIN’ 1ON1 “SAMURAI”
Category: POPPIN’ (OPEN / FEMALE / Global Edition)
Judges: Groove Sam, GUCCHON, HALUKI, Poppin’J, YUZURU
DJ: Satoci Enomotion
MC: TK

BREAKIN’ 3ON3 “ON THE BEAT”
Category: BREAKIN’ 3on3 (Teams of 3 or more; Open to all genders, ages, and nationalities)
Judges: GEN ROC, JUSTFIT, Nakidd, SEIJU WEEKEND, SKEE
DJ: GABAWASH
MC: KENTARAW, CRUDE

ALL STYLE CREW BATTLE “G-COAT”
Category: ALL STYLE CREW BATTLE (Teams of 3 to 15 members; Open to all genders, ages, and nationalities)
Judges: ATZO, KATO, MAJID, POG, RYO-TA, TAIKI, Yu-mah, YUKI
DJ: GABAWASH
MC: KENTARAW, CRUDE

O-16 ALL STYLE 1on1 “GAME”
Category: OVER16 ALL STYLE 1on1 (Open to participants aged 16 and older, regardless of gender or nationality)
Judges: ASATO, calin, HIRO, ICHI, KATSU ONE, MAJID, SKEE, YUKARI
Live Band: QUIET STORM KOBE
MC: KENTARAW, CRUDE

HIGH SCHOOL ALL STYLE 1on1 “HEROS”
Category: HIGH SCHOOL ALL STYLE 1on1 (Targeted at enrolled high school students, regardless of gender or nationality)
Judges: Boo, BOXER, chihiro, KITE, Runa Miura, TAISUKE, TATSUKI, YU-SEI
DJ: Satoci Enomotion
MC: MACCHAN

Official Goods for Event Memories!

An official merchandise booth will also be set up inside the venue. Packed with items that SHIROFES. fans and dancers will covet, shopping here is a major draw. It is a spot you definitely want to visit to pick up a souvenir or keepsake of your event visit.

In Conclusion

Involving the entire city of Hirosaki, “SHIROFES.” is held with massive passion. There is a definitive reason why culture fans gather from all across Japan alongside local Aomori residents while combining their trip with sightseeing. The scene where the barrier between stage and audience vanishes, and world-class active players naturally mingle with the local next generation, represents the true essence of this festival.

Past its 11-year milestone, SHIROFES. is evolving into a massive cultural festival that transcends street boundaries. Experience this one-of-a-kind extraordinary space and the front lines of an accelerating scene live on-site. Check the official SHIROFES. website for details!