When you think of Kochi festivals, the Yosakoi Festival usually takes center stage. But tucked away in the Monobe district of Kami City is another summer tradition that offers something entirely different, and that's the Okumonobe Lake Water Festival. Held every August on the banks of Nagase Dam, this event has been running for over 60 years and is affectionately nicknamed the "mountain disco."
The festival began in 1956 as a way for locals to honor those who built the Nagase Dam, many of whom lost their lives during construction, and to pray for safety, good harvests, and regional prosperity. Over the decades it has grown into a beloved community celebration that draws visitors of all ages.
The evening kicks off with a lively Yosakoi dance parade that makes its way from the shopping arcade to the lakeside grounds, followed by traditional performances such as the Hassan dance, sword dances, and local folk songs. As twilight sets in, the atmosphere shifts, and suddenly disco hits from the 1960s and 70s echo through the mountains.
Beyond the dancing, highlights include 4,000 floating lanterns released onto the lake in memory of the dam workers, as well as fireworks that reflect spectacularly on the water. Food stalls serving unique local favorites like wild boar croquettes round out the festival experience.
