A tradition of dance, music, and kyogen alive in the villages of Kashiwazaki
Ayako Mai
The 2026 edition of Ayako Mai has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/09/13Ended
- Season / frequency
- The second Sunday of every September / Every year
- Location
- Ayako Mai Permanent Stage (next to Ayako Mai Hall)
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Kashiwazaki City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h 10 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Ayako Mai, passed down for around 500 years in Onadani, Kashiwazaki City. You can watch this rich traditional performing art, woven from dance, hayashimai, and , at the public performance.
About Ayako Mai
Ayako Mai is a folk performing art passed down in Onadani, Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture.
It is performed at the festival of Kurohime Shrine and is divided into three forms: dance, hayashimai, and kyogen.
Its distinctive style lives on today, including dances by girls wearing furisode with long sleeves and loosely hanging obi, and red cloth over their heads.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
A highlight is watching the girls dance in furisode with long sleeves and loosely hanging obi, with red cloth yurai over their heads.
The repertoire includes Obaragi Odori, Sakai Odori, Ebisu Mai, Daikoku Mai, and Ebi Sukui.
A varied repertoire of more than 30 pieces has been passed down, including not only dances but also hayashimai and kyogen.
A tradition of dance, music, and kyogen alive in the villages of Kashiwazaki
What to expect
At the public performance, you can watch dances, hayashimai, and kyogen passed down at the Ayako Mai Permanent Stage.
The 2026 commemorative performances were held twice, in the morning and afternoon, and the audience area opened at 10 a.m.
The detailed program is announced for each performance, offering a chance to enjoy a range of performance styles and a rich repertoire together.
Source: 【柏崎市】この地に500年間伝わる綾子舞を鑑賞して
How to take part
General visitors can watch the public performance at the site.
No information is provided about general members of the public joining the dance as Ayako Mai performers.
If you wish to watch a performance, check the information for that year’s performance at the site or public performance before visiting.
The performance at the site is held as a public event.
In 2026, performances were held twice, in the morning and afternoon, on September 13 (Sunday), and the viewing area opened at 10 a.m.
No information is provided about how to apply to participate as a performer.
Source: 綾子舞を見る／柏崎市公式ホームページ
Location and access
- Venue and address
Ayako Mai Permanent Stage (next to Ayako Mai Hall), 4529 Onadani, Kashiwazaki City
- Train and bus
25 minutes by car from Kashiwazaki Station on the JR Shinetsu Main Line and JR Echigo Line.
- By car
About 25 minutes by car from Kashiwazaki IC on the Hokuriku Expressway.
- Parking
Parking is available for standard-sized cars.
Source: 綾子舞会館｜新潟のスポット・体験｜【公式】新潟県のおすすめ観光・旅行情報！にいがた観光ナビ
Address 4529 Onadani, Kashiwazaki City
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The Ayako Mai public performance at the site is held on the second Sunday of September each year.
In 2026, performances were held twice, in the morning and afternoon, on September 13 (Sunday). They have now ended.
Ayako Mai, passed down through the festival of Kurohime Shrine, is a traditional performing art that can be enjoyed in autumn.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Niigata Prefecture / Kashiwazaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Ayako Mai Hall is used as a place to learn about the history and traditions of Ayako Mai.
Nearby attractions include firefly-viewing spots in the Ukawa area of Kashiwazaki City and Mount Kariwa-Kurohime.
It is a place where you can experience the culture and nature around Onadani while enjoying Ayako Mai.
柏崎市立博物館
新潟県柏崎市の博物館
Origins and History of Ayako Mai
Ayako Mai is a folk performing art that has been passed down in Onadani, Kashiwazaki City, for around 500 years.
It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1976 and inscribed in 2022 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of the “Furyu-odori” dances.
Its form, which includes dance, hayashimai, and kyogen, is also important for understanding the history of performing arts.
Official information
Details about the public performance and venue are available on the Kashiwazaki City official website under “Watch Ayako Mai.”
The Kashiwazaki City Museum is also listed as a contact for performance requests.
Ayako Mai at a Glance
Ayako Mai is a folk performing art passed down in Onadani, Kashiwazaki City, comprising dance, hayashimai, and kyogen.
Highlights include dances performed in furisode kimono and with red cloth yurai, a rich repertoire, and a tradition spanning around 500 years.
The annual public performance is held on the second Sunday of September at the Ayako Mai Permanent Stage.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
