Festivals and Traditions
Mazu celebrations, Guandi’s Birthday and Lunar New Year’s Eve offerings carry on Chinatown’s traditions of prayer and celebration.
01 / ABOUT
Dancing with Chinatown
The Guangdong Lion Dance Troupe is part of Kanton Kaikan Club’s cultural activities. We preserve Chinese traditions and connect with the community through performances at the Mazu Festival, Guandi’s Birthday, port anniversary events and local festivals.
Through drum rhythms, the lion’s movements, expressions and stories, we aim to share the joy of performance with our audiences.
Membership and Performance Enquiries
Community and School Exchanges
Local festivals and multicultural school events give children and adults opportunities to experience lion dance.
Exploring Performance
Competitions and collaborations with Tai Chi, kung fu and calligraphy broaden our expression through lion dance.
OUR LEADERSHIP
A Tradition of Leadership
The troupe began its activities in 2008 under its first leader, 林孝明. Leadership subsequently passed to 渡邊大修 and then 温耀立, continuing the work of passing lion dance traditions to the next generation.
林孝明
First troupe leader; began the troupe’s activities in 2008.
渡邊大修
Succeeded 林孝明 as troupe leader.
温耀立
Succeeded 渡邊大修 as troupe leader.
02 / HIGHLIGHTS
Scenes of Performance and Exchange
Lion Dance with a Story
Members rehearsed for ten months for the 2023 Kitamon Festival, developing a story that audiences could follow and enjoy.
All-Japan Chinese Lion Dance Competition
In May 2018, the troupe entered the first All-Japan Chinese Lion Dance Competition, expressing joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure through the lion’s expressions and movements.
Collaborations Across Art Forms
We performed with Tai Chi and kung fu in 2017 and with calligrapher 玲泉 in 2019, bringing different art forms together on stage.
2013 / PARADE
Parade Participation in 2013
In 2013 the troupe joined a parade. These photographs show members making their way through Chinatown and performing along the route.
The troupe proceeds with cymbals and drums
Two lions perform for spectators along the route
Lion dance in Chinatown
2014 / COMMUNITY
Visit to a Children’s Welfare Facility
On 19 January 2014, the troupe visited a children’s welfare facility and performed lion dance.
Troupe members taking part in the visit
Lion dance at the children’s welfare facility
Drum and cymbal accompaniment
03 / OUR STORY
Activity Record
Explore our offerings, local appearances, exchanges and awards. Open each year to see the activities.
2023
The troupe joined the Mazu Festival parade and offered a lion dance for Mazu’s Birthday.
The troupe joined the Guandi’s Birthday parade, marking the temple’s 163rd anniversary and also passing through Motomachi shopping street.
The troupe performed at the Kitamon Festival after ten months of rehearsing an accessible, story-based performance.
2022
The troupe performed in the Chinatown parade at Hama Festival Y163.
The troupe performed at Zebra Jazz, organized by the Kitamon association.
The troupe performed at the 14th Kitamon Festival.
2020
Because of the infectious disease outbreak, year-end worship was limited to directors and auditors. The lion dance offering and reunion meal were cancelled.
2019
The Yokohama Chinatown Development Association presented the troupe with a certificate of appreciation for its 2019 Lunar New Year performances, skills and preservation of tradition.
The troupe joined the Guandi’s Birthday parade, celebrating Guan Yu’s birthday with spectators through the expressions and stories of southern lion dance.
At the Kitamon Festival, the troupe collaborated with calligrapher 玲泉 for the first time, combining lion dance with live calligraphy.
Worship was held in the ground-floor hall, and the troupe offered lion dances at the Guandi and Mazu temples. Members then shared year-end soba at a reunion on the second floor.
2018
The troupe entered the first All-Japan Chinese Lion Dance Competition in Yokohama Chinatown, performing an accessible story on joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure.
The Yokohama Chinatown Development Association recognized the troupe’s Lunar New Year performances, cultural preservation, visitor attraction and cultural exchange with a certificate of appreciation.
The troupe joined the Guandi’s Birthday parade.
2017
The troupe performed for children at a multicultural exchange event at Yokohama Municipal Higashi Elementary School.
At the ninth Kitamon Festival, a joint performance brought together Tai Chi, kung fu and lion dance.
2016
The troupe received a certificate of appreciation from the Yokohama Chinatown Development Association for its skills, cultural preservation and contribution to Chinatown.
2015
The troupe received a certificate of appreciation from the Yokohama Chinatown Development Association for preserving traditions and contributing to Chinatown.
The troupe performed at the lion dance gathering during Yokohama’s Y156 port anniversary celebrations.
The troupe performed at the seventh Kitamon Festival, joined by newly recruited female members.
A presentation and ribbon-cutting marked the completion of repairs to Zenrinmon Gate. The club contributed to the project, and two lions performed in celebration.
2014
The troupe visited a children’s welfare facility and performed lion dance.View Visit Photos
2013
The troupe joined a parade and performed lion dance in Chinatown.View Photographs
2012
Eye-dotting ceremony for two traditional Cantonese lions at the Mazu Temple.
2008
The troupe began under its first leader 林孝明. Leadership later passed to 渡邊大修 and 温耀立.
2005
Eye-dotting ceremony for three lions at the Guandi Temple.
1958
About 40 lion dance team members took part in Yokohama’s port centenary celebrations.
04 / JOIN & CONTACT
Join Us in Lion Dance
We preserve traditions and welcome new members. Contact the club office about joining, observing practice or booking a performance.
Kanton Kaikan: 118-2 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Telephone:045-681-9997
LION DANCE / 2024–2025
Performances in 2024–2025
In 2024, the troupe performed at Hama Fes Y165 on 25 May, Kanteitan on 29 July and the Kitamon Festival on 3 November. It preserved the traditional pairing of lion and Big-Head Buddha, and presented four festival shows including LED lions.
Lunar New Year Night Parade · 2025 11 February
The Guangdong Lion Dance Troupe joined the Lunar New Year night parade, performing with illuminated LED lions in Chinatown.
Kanteitan Parade · 2025 18 July
The troupe joined the Kanteitan parade, paid respects at the Guan Di and Mazu temples and performed along the route. Members worked together to support the summer celebration.
2025 / KITAMON FESTIVAL
At the Kitamon Festival on 3 November 2025, the troupe gave three different performances at the opening, 12:45 and 15:00, wishing visitors health and happiness.