A traditional local theater performance in Kuromori, Sakata, passed down through the snowy season
Kuromori Kabuki
The 2026 edition of Kuromori Kabuki has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/03/01Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on February 15 and the 17th / Every year
- Location
- Kibo Hall (Sakata Civic Hall), Main Hall
- Area
- Yamagata Prefecture・Sakata City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Advance tickets: ¥1,000; day-of tickets: ¥1,500. Free for children who have not yet started school.
- Age restrictions
- Free for children who have not yet started school
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This form of farmers' Kabuki has been passed down since the mid-Edo period in Kuromori, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. It is connected to the Hie Shrine festival and local events throughout the year, and preserves distinctive plays and stage culture.
About Kuromori Kabuki
Kuromori Kabuki is a form of farmers' Kabuki passed down in the Kuromori area of Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, and a local theater tradition associated with the Hie Shrine festival.
Around 50 plays are passed down, mainly Gidayu , and its distinctive staging and performance style set it apart from central Kabuki.
The Kuromori Kabuki Tsuma-do Renju, an organization of local residents, forms the troupe and is responsible for performances and managing related materials.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 黒森地域住民のくらしとともに伝承されてきた「黒森歌舞伎」 | 未来に伝える山形の宝
Festival highlights
A highlight is its appearance as “snowbound theater,” performed outdoors at a theater venue in the depths of winter in February.
The program is decided through a lot-drawing ritual called Tayū-buramai, held in March of the previous year, linking the year leading up to the performance with local festivals and events.
The community supports Kabuki not only on stage but throughout the area, preserving costumes and wigs, building the hanamichi, and holding events such as yose-daiko drumming.
A traditional local theater performance in Kuromori, Sakata, passed down through the snowy season
What to expect
Kuromori Kabuki performances are held in conjunction with the festival of Hie Shrine.
Programs are selected from traditional plays, mainly Gidayu kyogen, and the Tsuma-do Renju performs as a troupe.
Kuromori Kabuki's annual cycle includes not only the performance itself but also preparations and events throughout the year, such as the previous year's Tayū-burimai, airing the costumes, and building the hanamichi.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：前売券1,000円、当日券1,500円。
Free for children who have not yet started school.
対象年齢：未就学児は無料
Location and access
- Venue and address
The 2026 Sakata performance has been announced for the Main Hall of Kibo Hall (Sakata Civic Hall).
Source: 令和8年 黒森歌舞伎酒田公演 - 希望ホール（酒田市民会館）
Event venue 山形県酒田市 希望ホール大ホール
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
Kuromori Kabuki is usually performed on February 15 and the 17th.
In 2026, a “Kuromori Kabuki Sakata Performance” was announced at Kibo Hall for March 1, with the performance scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. and doors to open at 11:30 a.m.
It is helpful to check separately the usual performance dates associated with the Hie Shrine festival in the Kuromori area and the dates of performances held in Sakata 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 Yamagata Prefecture / Sakata City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Performances in the Kuromori area take place outdoors in February, in the depths of winter, continuing the tradition of having no roof over the audience seating.
Be sure to dress for snow and cold.
The 2026 Sakata performance had unreserved seating, and ticket prices differed between advance and day-of tickets, so check the information for the performance you plan to attend.
Nearby attractions
土門拳記念館
山形県酒田市にある写真美術館
写真：contri from Yonezawa-Shi, Yamagata, Japan / CC BY-SA 2.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
城輪柵
山形県酒田市にあった古代城柵
写真：Mukasora ( talk ) / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
本間美術館
日本の山形県に所在する美術館
松山文化伝承館
山形県酒田市にある博物館
写真：Ebiebi2 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
相馬樓
山形県酒田市にある観光施設
写真：Yauchi / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
酒田市立資料館
山形県酒田市にある資料館
写真：Ebiebi2 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
酒田市美術館
山形県酒田市にある美術館
写真：ToshiJapon / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Kuromori Kabuki
Kuromori Kabuki is said to have begun around Kyoho 19–20 in the mid-Edo period, around 1734–35.
Before the Meiji period, it was dedicated at the New Year festivals of the traditional lunar calendar. Today, performances are held on February 15 and the 17th.
Until Showa 38, the entire village came together to build a temporary stage. Today, performances take place at the permanent theater in the precincts of Hie Shrine, and in Showa 51 it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Yamagata Prefecture.
Source: 山形の文化財検索サイト「山形の宝 検索navi」
Official information
Performance information is available in the “Reiwa 8 Kuromori Kabuki Sakata Performance” announcement from Kibo Hall (Sakata Civic Hall).
An overview of Kuromori Kabuki's cultural heritage designation and how the tradition is passed down is also available in the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties and Yamagata Prefecture's cultural property search site.
Kuromori Kabuki at a Glance
Kuromori Kabuki is a form of farmers' Kabuki passed down since the mid-Edo period in the Kuromori area of Sakata City.
A distinctive feature of Kuromori Kabuki is its connection to local events throughout the year, including the Hie Shrine festival, Tayū-buramai, and airing the costumes.
A Sakata performance of Kuromori Kabuki was announced for March 1 in 2026, offering an opportunity to see it on 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
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