On Monday, November 23, 2026 (a public holiday), Takatsuki City will host the national competition for the 'Yodo River 30-Goku Boat Folk Song,' designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by Osaka Prefecture. Applications are open until Friday, July 31, for performers eager to showcase their singing talents.

During the Edo period, the Yodo River served as a major transportation artery connecting Kyoto and Osaka. Passenger boats known as 'Yodo River 30-Goku Ships (sanjukkoku-bune)' operated between Kyoto-Fushimi and Osaka-Yakko (near the present-day Keihan Electric Railway Temmabashi Station). The boatmen of that era sang the 'Yodo River 30-Goku Boat Folk Song' to entertain passengers. Although the 30-goku boats disappeared with the advent of steam-powered paddle steamers and the opening of railways in the Meiji era, the folk song has been preserved by the Otsuka Preservation Society, formed by residents of the Otsuka district in Takatsuki City. As one of Osaka's representative folk songs evoking the era of river transport on the Yodo River, and one of the few remaining valuable labor songs in the prefecture, it was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by Osaka Prefecture in 2002 (Heisei 14).

The 'National Competition for the Yodo River 30-Goku Boat Folk Song' has been held annually in Takatsuki City since 1993 (Heisei 5) to promote and raise awareness of this traditional song. While accessible to beginners in folk music, the competition has become a well-established event attracting a wide range of performers, including those aspiring to become professionals.

Starting this year, a new 'Original Style Division' has been introduced to preserve the authentic way the song was originally sung. We welcome applications from many participants eager to perform in the traditional style.

*Note: While the official name of the cultural asset is 'Fune-uta' (Boat Song), the event uses the term 'Funa-uta' (Boat Chant).

[Event Overview]

Date and Time: Monday, November 23, 2026 (public holiday), doors open at 9:00, performance starts at 9:30

Venue: Takatsuki Castle Park Arts and Culture Theater, North Building, Middle Hall (2-33 Nomimachi, Takatsuki City)

[Application Overview]

· Performance Categories

General Division: 130 participants

Yodo River 30-Goku Boat Folk Song 'Original Style Division': 20 participants

Junior Division (middle school students and younger): 20 participants

*Participants may enter both the General and Original Style Divisions

· Eligibility

Amateur performers (open to residents inside and outside the city)

· Entry Fee

General Division: ¥4,000

Original Style Division: ¥4,000

Junior Division (middle school students and younger): ¥2,000

*Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the participants

· Application Method

Complete the official application form with required information and submit by mail or in person to the competition secretariat.

Online applications are also available via the link below:

https://apply.e-tumo.jp/takatsuki-u/offer/offerList_detail?tempSeq=15857

· Application Period

Until Friday, July 31, 2026 (postmark valid on the day)

*For in-person submissions, please visit during weekdays from 8:45 to 17:15

[Related Websites]

Yodo River 30-Goku Boat Folk Song (Takatsuki City official website)

https://www.city.takatsuki.osaka.jp/site/history/63578.html

National Competition for the Yodo River 30-Goku Boat Folk Song (Takatsuki City official website)

https://www.city.takatsuki.osaka.jp/site/history/94635.html

Inquiries

Historical and Cultural Properties Section, Department of History and Community Vitalization, Takatsuki City

Phone: 072-674-7652

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event