Vigorous concentric circles in Yōsei-chō, drawn by drums and shouted calls
Ichijo Shrine Taiko Dance (performing art associated with the Ichijo Shrine annual festival)
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Ichijo Shrine
- Area
- Kagoshima Prefecture・Satsumasendai City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 20 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
- Highlights and activities
- Required number of participants
- Basic group of 26 (2 small-drum players, 8 gong players, and 16 large-drum players)
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
The Ichijo Shrine Dance, a performing art associated with the annual festival at Ichijo Shrine in Yōsei-chō, Satsumasendai City. To the sounds of small drums, gongs, and large drums, and to shouted calls, the dancers perform vigorously, changing their formation as they go.
About Ichijo Shrine Taiko Dance (performing art associated with the Ichijo Shrine annual festival)
The Ichijo Shrine Taiko Dance is a performing art held in connection with the annual festival at Ichijo Shrine in Yōsei-chō, Satsumasendai City.
The dance is generally performed by a group of 26: small-drum players, gong players, and large-drum players. The dancers wear flower-decorated hats, , kimono, keha, and arrow banners.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Satsumasendai City.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the changing formation: the dancers, initially arranged in four rows, split into two groups and form inner and outer circles that swirl around one another.
The large-drum dancers carry on their backs a tōuchiwa—a roughly 2-meter-long fan with long white streamers hanging from it.
Dancing with vigorous leaps to the calls of “Sōre” and “Haiyo,” they eventually return to their starting formation.
Vigorous concentric circles in Yōsei-chō, drawn by drums and shouted calls
What to expect
The dance is generally performed by a group comprising 2 small-drum players, 8 gong players, and 16 large-drum players.
There is no particular song; with calls such as “Sōre” and “Haiyo,” the dancers move from four rows into two concentric circles and dance in a swirling pattern.
After leaping vigorously, the dancers return to their starting formation.
How to take part
必要人数：基本26名編成（小太鼓2名、鉦8名、大太鼓16名）
Location and access
- Venue and address
Ichijo Shrine, Yōsei-chō, Satsumasendai City
Address Yōsei-chō, Satsumasendai City
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 Kagoshima Prefecture / Satsumasendai City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
新田神社
鹿児島県薩摩川内市にある神社
写真：ja:User:MK Products upload by Sakoppi / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
薩摩川内市せんだい宇宙館
鹿児島県薩摩川内市にある科学展示館、天文台
Official information
The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Cultural Heritage Online provides an overview of the Ichijo Shrine Taiko Dance, including its ensemble, costumes, dance movements, and efforts to pass it on.
Ichijo Shrine Taiko Dance (performing art associated with the Ichijo Shrine annual festival) at a Glance
The Ichijo Shrine Taiko Dance is a performing art in Yōsei-chō, Satsumasendai City, associated with the annual festival at Ichijo Shrine.
Highlights include the ensemble of small drums, gongs, and large drums; distinctive costumes; shouted calls; and formations that create two concentric circles.
Efforts are being made to pass it on as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by Satsumasendai City, including inviting children to take part.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
