Hirose’s traditional culture, passed down through expressive makeup and dedicated performances
Hirose no Onabare
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year November 8 / Every year
- Location
- Niida Shrine
- Area
- Kochi Prefecture・Kochi City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min · flight time only)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.
- Features
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/22
A folk event passed down in Hirose, Tosayama, Kochi City, with prayers to drive away deadly diseases. Its dedicated performances and distinctive makeup reflect a culture passed down through the community.
About Hirose no Onabare
Hirose no Onabare is an event held at Niida Shrine in Hirose, Tosayama, Kochi City.
It is held with prayers to drive away deadly diseases and is also designated as a Kochi City folk cultural asset.
This performing art has been passed down through the community for about 300 years.
Festival highlights
Highlights include gobanburi, , hasamibako, and sumo wrestling dedicated at the .
The men playing the roles decorate their faces with white, black, and red makeup, creating expressions suited to their characters, such as sword-bearers and long-sword bearers.
The makeup has no fixed style, allowing each person’s sensibility to show through.
Source: 祭りの化粧 ‹ 特集 ‹ とさぶし
Hirose’s traditional culture, passed down through expressive makeup and dedicated performances
What to expect
The event centers on dedicated performances of gobanburi, shishimai, hasamibako, and sumo wrestling at the otabisho.
Those playing the roles apply white makeup to their faces, then use ink and food coloring to draw features such as beards, scars, and details around the mouth, completing their makeup to suit their characters.
The preparations, including putting on flower hats, are also featured.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Niida Shrine, Hirose, Tosayama, Kochi City
Address Hirose, Tosayama, Kochi City
Dates and season
- Season
Every year November 8
- Frequency
Every year
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 Kochi Prefecture / Kochi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
五台山
高知市の山
土佐神社
高知県高知市一宮(いっく)しなねにある神社
小津神社
高知県高知市にある神社
山内神社
高知県高知市にある神社
朝倉神社 (高知市)
高知市にある神社
桂浜水族館
高知県高知市にある水族館
潮江天満宮
高知県高知市天神町にある神社
藁工ミュージアム
高知県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
高知大神宮
高知市にある神社
高知市寺田寅彦記念館
日本の高知県高知市にある建築物
Origins and History of Hirose no Onabare
Hirose no Onabare is a traditional performing art passed down for about 300 years.
It is also said to have begun after a deadly disease spread more than 300 years ago, and is associated with prayers to drive away such diseases.
The makeup has changed over time: records from the Showa period show a variety of styles, and accounts note that long beards, which were not seen in the Edo period, became widespread later.
Official information
Kochi City website, “Cultural Property Information: Folk Cultural Assets—Hirose no Onabare”
Hirose no Onabare at a Glance
Hirose no Onabare is a folk cultural asset passed down in Hirose, Tosayama, Kochi City.
Passed down for about 300 years as an event praying to drive away deadly diseases, it features gobanburi, shishimai, hasamibako, and sumo wrestling dedicated at the otabisho.
The costumes that bring each role to life, including white, black, and red makeup and flower hats, are also a highlight.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/22
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