The Sacred Dance of Kamikamo Sumiyoshi Shrine

Festival highlights

During Yoimiya, sword dances, lion dances, dengaku, fan dances, and other performances take place on the shrine grounds, illuminated by sacred torches.

The King’s Dance, performed wearing a high-nosed mask, and dengaku performed with drums, hand drums, binzasara, and chobo are distinctive scenes that preserve ancient forms.

The main festival day also features high-pole walking, rarely performed elsewhere in Japan, and the Okina dance, which is said to originate in sarugaku.

Kato’s traditional performing arts, brought to life by sacred torches and ancient dances

What to expect

The festival takes place over 2 days, Yoimiya and the main festival day. After the rites held by each shrine group, the sacred torches, and kagura, the stage is moved to the shrine grounds and the performances continue.

During Yoimiya, the King’s Dance, lion dances, dengaku, and dances with fans are performed in sequence.

On the main festival day, the following day, high-pole walking and the Okina dance are performed in addition to the previous day’s dances, allowing you to experience the sequence of dedicated performances.

How to take part

Those who dedicate dances are the festival’s participants, mainly ujiko and preservation groups supported by the Miyaza system.

It is said that members of any ujiko household can now join the Miyaza, but there are role-related rules, such as limiting certain roles to the eldest son; second and third sons, for example, are said to serve in separate groups.

No information is available on whether general visitors can participate as performers.

Source: 上鴨川住吉神社｜兵庫県神社庁 神社検索

Location and access

Venue and address

Kamikamo Sumiyoshi Shrine (571 Kamikamo, Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture)

Train and bus

A 1-minute walk from the Shinki Bus “Sumiyoshi Shrine-mae” bus stop.

From Aino Station on the JR Fukuchiyama Line, take a Shinki Bus bound for Shimizu, then transfer to a bus bound for Yashiro from Shimizu. Get off at the “Sumiyoshi Shrine” bus stop.

By car

About 20 minutes via Lake Tojo from the Hyogo-Tojo I.C. on the Chugoku Expressway.

Turn right at the Kamikamo River intersection from Route 372.

Parking

None.

Address 571 Kamikamo, Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture

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Dates and season

Each year, the festival is held over 2 days, with the eve festival and main festival taking place on the first Saturday and Sunday of October.

The performances differ between the eve festival and the main festival, with high-pole acts and the Okina dance added on the main day.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

As this sacred dance is not usually open to the public, plan your visit for a festival day when it is open to visitors.

During Yoimiya, dances are performed by the light of sacred torches in the darkness, so it is important to watch quietly from a place on the shrine grounds that does not obstruct the proceedings.

There is no parking at the venue, so plan your transportation in advance, including the option of using public transit.

Source: 上鴨川住吉神社｜観光スポット｜ハートにぐっと北播磨 - 兵庫・北播磨観光ポータルサイト

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions include Tojoko Toy Kingdom and the Tojo Roadside Station.

You can plan an itinerary that combines viewing the festival with visiting attractions in the Kato City area.

Check the operating status and visitor conditions of each facility individually before your visit.

Source: 上鴨川住吉神社の神事舞 | まっぷるウェブ

Origins and History of The Sacred Dance of Kamikamo Sumiyoshi Shrine

The sacred dance is said to have been passed down for about 700 years under a strict miyaza system.

It retains strong elements of forms originating in medieval dengaku and sarugaku, and is distinctive in that the dances of dengaku and sarugaku have been handed down by the miyaza.

It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1977.

Official information

You can check details about the sacred dance, its schedule, and venue through the cultural property information from Kato City, shrine information from the Hyogo Prefecture Shrine Association, and the Kato City Tourism Association’s introduction.

Its designation as a cultural property is also listed in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.

The Sacred Dance of Kamikamo Sumiyoshi Shrine at a Glance

The Sacred Dance of Kamikamo Sumiyoshi Shrine is a sacred performing art passed down in Kamikamo, Kato City, preserving old forms of dengaku and sarugaku.

Enjoy different performances over the 2 days, from dances illuminated by sacred torches during Yoimiya to high-pole walking and the Okina dance on the main festival day.

It is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of October each year, and there is no parking at the venue.