Latin Dancing in Sapporo: How to Start (Beginner Guide)

This page is a reference translation of the Japanese original (日本語の原文). It has not been checked by a native speaker. Please confirm details with each organizer.

The short answer: to start in Sapporo, take three steps. (1) Pick one dance you are curious about. (2) Read the organizer’s notice and check whether beginners are welcome, what to bring, and the fee. (3) Go and watch or try it. On this site, “Latin dance” means partner dances you do with other people at parties: salsa, bachata, kizomba, Argentine tango and similar styles. It is not the “Latin” section of competitive ballroom dancing (rumba, cha-cha-cha and so on).

Do you want to try Latin dance in Sapporo but don’t know where to begin? This is a first guide for you.

The writer lives in Sapporo. I discovered salsa and bachata in 2019 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where I was living for work, and I still dance today. I am not good at it. I am not a teacher, and I have no connection to any dance school or organizer. So I do not teach here. I list what may puzzle you, from the same level as you.

First, know the types of events

Event notices use words like “party,” “lesson,” and “workshop” (WS). I explain the differences in Party, Lesson or Workshop? The Differences. For terms, see also the Latin dance glossary (Japanese).

Choose from four dances

If you cannot decide between salsa and bachata, see also Salsa vs. Bachata (Japanese).

Salsa, bachata, kizomba and Argentine tango differ in music and mood. You can compare them in Which Dance Suits You? Choosing Among the 4 Dances. If you are unsure, pick one that interests you and start by watching or trying it.

Clothes and shoes

Details are in Shoes and Clothes for Latin Dancing.

• Clothes: Wear something easy to move in and that you don’t mind sweating in.
• Shoes: Some venues require indoor shoes (shoes you wear only inside). Whether you need dance shoes also depends on the venue, so check the organizer’s notice. Shoes with soles that are neither too slippery nor too sticky, and with a stable heel, are said to be easier to move in.
• Season: In Sapporo’s winter you change from outdoor boots, so you carry more things.

What to bring

Wallet, towel, drink, and indoor shoes if needed. Rules on drink charges and bringing your own food or drink differ by venue.

Cost

The fee is different for each event and lesson. Please check the organizer’s notice before you go. This site does not list dates or fees.

Is it OK to go alone?

For details, see Is It OK to Go to a Latin Dance Party Alone?

Some people come alone. Still, it is natural to feel nervous at a first event. If you are worried, ask the organizer first: “This is my first time. Can I join?” For ways to cope when you are too nervous to dance at a social, see When You’re Too Shy to Dance at a Social (Japanese).

Find events and dates in Sapporo

Steps for searching are in How to Find Latin Dance in Sapporo.

This site does not list dates. For up-to-date event dates in Sapporo, check the external site “Sapporo Latin Dance Calendar” (札幌ラテンダンスカレンダー). Please also check each organizer’s notice before you join.

Your first steps: 3 stages

1. Look at the four dances and pick one you are curious about.
2. Read the organizer’s notice and check “beginners welcome?”, “what to bring” and “fee.”
3. Go to watch or try. It is fine to leave early.

Related articles

• Salsa / Bachata / Kizomba / Argentine tango (all Japanese)
• How to Ask for a Dance and How to Say No

FAQ

Can beginners join?

Some events and lessons say “beginners welcome.” If a notice does not say so, ask the organizer.

Is it OK if I don’t have a partner?

These are partner dances, but many events let you change partners, and some people come alone. The format differs by organizer, so check the notice.

Does age matter?

The age range of participants differs by event and school. If you wonder, ask the organizer. I hope this can be a place where people from their 20s to 60s can all enjoy dancing.

What should I bring?

The basics are comfortable clothes, a towel, a drink and your wallet. Some venues need indoor shoes, so check the notice.

Can I take photos or post on social media?

Rules differ by venue and organizer. Before you take a photo, ask the organizer and the people in it. For details, see Things to Check Before Taking Photos or Videos (Japanese).