From Kanagawa to the World! Sagamiko Outdoor Ballet Festival 2025

Kanagawa Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of modern ballet in Japan, and the Sagamiko Outdoor Ballet Festival 2025 was held in the Sagamiko area for the first time in nine years. This time, we spoke with Kihei Ogawa, chairman of the Sagamiko Arts and Culture Town Development Executive Committee, which aims to revitalize the region through the power of arts and culture, centered on ballet, and Katsue Yoshino, vice-chairman and general producer of this festival.
(Top image: Act 2 of "Swan Lake," Image courtesy of Sagamiko Arts and Culture Town Development Committee)

A town-wide festival

—Now that the event has concluded after a nine-year hiatus, please tell us how you feel.

The event at Ogawa took place over two days, October 18th and 19th. Unfortunately, the last day on the 19th had to end early due to rain, but everything else was a great success, and I'm relieved.

—There were many parents and families attending, and Sagamiko Park, the venue, was bustling with activity.

Yoshino: This time, we proceeded with the concept of enjoying a moment of art and culture in the park that is both casual and sublime, regardless of age! We kicked off with an opening event that was free to watch, and on the 18th, we had a two-act performance of "Giselle" starring Mizuka Ueno and Yasuo Atsuchi. On the 19th, after a free chair ballet experience, we held "Ballet Park 2025". We also had food trucks and event booths set up, which helped liven up the entire festival.

The "Sagami Lake Arts and Culture Town Development Executive Committee," which was initially established by 22 organizations including local chambers of commerce, tourism associations, neighborhood association federations, and private companies, has now expanded to include organizations from neighboring areas, allowing it to reach the entire city of Sagamihara.

Ogawa: That's right. As it's a festival that involves the entire town, we also made efforts to spread awareness among many people in the surrounding area by utilizing various publicity media.

A fantastical and unique outdoor stage

—The "Ballet Park 2025" event on the 19th was fantastic, with its diverse program structure of four different shows.

Yoshino, thank you very much. We were able to raise awareness by utilizing the "Sagami Lake Arts and Culture Town Development Executive Committee," the Sagami Lake Festival which attracts approximately 50,000 visitors, and the network of Atelier Yoshino, which I head and which provides costumes to more than 80% of ballet schools nationwide. Despite the unstable weather on the day, we had many visitors.

The performance will feature a ballet performance (a fashion show in ballet costumes) with nearly 100 ballerinas and the mascot Yoshino-chan, a collaboration with the violin, contemporary dance, and Act 2 of "Swan Lake" starring Nao Sakuma and Yasuo Atsuchi, making it a diverse program that families can enjoy together.

—The outdoor stage overlooking Lake Sagami created a dreamlike atmosphere, didn't it?

Recalling the感動 (deep emotion) of the first outdoor ballet held in Yoshino in 2007, I felt that the scenery of Lake Sagami has the potential to rival the Mörbisch Lake Festival in Vienna!

After 2016, the event was held at the request of Yamanashi Prefecture, providing performance opportunities to train dancers at venues such as Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater and theaters in Tokyo. This year marks the first event in a long time, and there have been requests from the local community to hold it annually, as it is considered the biggest event to promote Lake Sagami, along with the Sagamiko Lake Festival.

—The synchronization with the real lake in Act 2 of "Swan Lake" was outstanding. Could you tell us about the process and any behind-the-scenes stories that led to its realization?

Unlike the Yoshino Ballet Company, the performers were selected through auditions and come from various age groups, organizations, and regions, making it challenging to gather them from all over Japan for rehearsals. Fortunately, many of the dancers who performed in the "Swan Lake" production held at Kanagawa Prefectural Hall on February 8, 2025, participated and kindly agreed to appear in "Giselle," "Swan Lake," and other pieces, resulting in a truly impressive production.

I want to create an environment where freelance dancers can grow into resident dancers at theaters, and eventually, the Kanagawa Sagamiko Ballet Company can launch itself on the world stage. I believe that if a cycle and system are established in this area where children can receive specialized ballet training from a young age, then Sagamiko will truly become a "city of ballet."

Enjoyable and beautiful chair ballet

On the 19th, there was also a stage performance of "Chair Ballet (Chair Ballet Exercise®)," which mainly consists of movements performed while seated to classical music. Based on the upper body movements of ballet, this new program incorporates exercises that promote muscle strength, flexibility, and posture improvement in the elderly, aiming for well-being in the "era of 100-year lifespans."

—Have you noticed any changes in the region as you continue to hold the event?

Ogawa: Compared to when we first started, I feel that our efforts are gradually becoming more accepted by everyone.

—That's wonderful! Finally, could you each share your thoughts on the future?

Ogawa's goal is to build a permanent outdoor ballet theater at Lake Sagami, creating a hub for arts and culture that utilizes natural resources to revitalize the region, promote commerce and industry, and further boost tourism.

Yoshino: We would like to hold this event every year with the theme "Swan Lake performed by the finest dancers on the lake." During the day, we would also like to have a "Ballet Park" where everyone can enjoy various dance and music performances.

I want to establish Sagamiko as a town of ballet, where children can receive specialized instruction from professionals from a young age, not only in ballet but also in various other performing arts. I want to create a town where artists can grow and thrive as an arts business town, and a town that can transmit Japanese arts and culture to the world.

Text by Mai Shimura (editor/writer)

Sagami Lake Art and Culture Town Development Executive Committee
Official website: Click here