Starting Latin Dance in Hokkaido: How to Look Outside Sapporo (Asahikawa, Hakodate and More)

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.

To start Latin dance in Hokkaido outside Sapporo, you can look in four places in order: the official site of your city or town for course listings, the official notices of local studios and culture centers, a social media search, and the Sapporo calendar site. Then check the official notice of any school or event you find to see whether beginners are welcome. This article lists no school names or dates. It only explains how to search and how to check.

About this article

I live in Sapporo and am around 50 years old. In 2019 I discovered salsa and bachata in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where I was living for work, and I still dance today. I am not good at dancing, and I am not a teacher. I am not connected to any school or organizer.

This site has written beginner guides starting from Sapporo. I plan to widen it to other parts of Hokkaido little by little. For now, it does not list individual schools or events outside Sapporo. If I do list any, I will only use what I can confirm from official public information, and I will name an organizer only with their permission.

Can I start Latin dance outside Sapporo?

There is a chance you can. However, the number of lessons and groups and how often they meet differ by area. There may be no school for Latin dance near you. In that case, you may find it within general courses at dance studios, culture centers or community groups.

How do I search? A 5-step guide

Check the official site of your city or town. Its notices on culture, sports and lifelong learning sometimes list courses and groups
Check the official notices of local studios and culture centers. See whether the classes they offer include salsa or other Latin dances
Search on social media. On Instagram, X, Facebook and similar sites, search for “area name + salsa,” “area name + bachata” or “area name + Latin dance”
Check the Sapporo calendar. It may include information from areas outside Sapporo. You can also look on the Sapporo Latin Dance Calendar (札幌ラテンダンスカレンダー) (external site)
Confirm with the official notice. Once you find something, check the organizer’s official notice for whether beginners are welcome, what to bring, the fee, and whether there is a trial

The information you find may be out of date. Please check the latest notice before you join.

Can I travel to Sapporo to join?

Yes, another option is to travel to Sapporo from other areas for lessons or parties. You could use JR trains, express buses or a car, but time and cost differ by season and route. For the latest information, check the official notices of each company or route.

How to start in Sapporo is covered in How to Start Latin Dancing in Sapporo. For finding lessons, see How to Find Latin Dance in Sapporo.

What should I watch out for when joining from outside the city?

Decide how you will get home first. Parties often end at night, so it is safer to check when public transport stops running
Watch the winter roads. In Hokkaido winters, snow and icy roads can make driving or walking slower. Plan with time to spare
What to bring differs by event. Rules such as changing into indoor shoes differ by event. What to Wear and Which Shoes for Latin Dance may also help

About pages for areas in Hokkaido

I plan to add search guides for cities in Hokkaido. I will go roughly in order of population size (2020 national census): Asahikawa, Hakodate, Tomakomai, Obihiro, Kushiro, Ebetsu, Kitami, Otaru, Muroran and so on. I will list the name, dates and fees of a school or event only if I can confirm them from official public information and have the organizer’s permission.

If you are a school or organizer and want to be listed, or do not want to be, please get in touch through Contact (Japanese).

FAQ

Can I find a Latin dance school outside Sapporo?

It depends on the area. This article lists no individual schools, so try the 5 steps above to find official notices.

Can beginners join?

It depends on the school or event. Check whether the official notice says “beginners welcome.” If it does not, try asking.

Do I have to go to Sapporo to start Latin dance?

Not necessarily. There may be a studio or group near you. First, try your city’s or town’s course listings or a social media search.

Does this site list schools or dates in other areas?

No. You can also look up event dates on the Sapporo Latin Dance Calendar (札幌ラテンダンスカレンダー) (external site).