The Buddha Dance at Matsunoo-dera Temple

Festival highlights

A highlight is watching the six dancers, wearing Buddhist masks with halos, perform in two rows of three.

The dancers perform turning inward and outward, and the six circle around as they exchange positions.

Musicians sit in front of the stage, accompanying the dance with the sounds of the taiko drum, kakko drum, hichiriki, and ryuteki flute.

A distinctive feature is that the dancers, carrying nothing, make Buddhist mudras.

A traditional dance at Matsunoo-dera, uniting six Buddhist masks and gagaku

What to expect

Six dancers wearing Buddhist masks and musicians process from in front of the altar toward the stage, where the dancers arrange themselves in two rows.

Once the musicians take their designated seats, the dance begins with a single beat of the taiko drum. Dances involving turns and exchanges of position are repeated.

Finally, they form a line and leave in the same way they entered, bringing the Buddha Dance to a close.

How to take part

People from the surrounding area, particularly the Matsuo district, help carry on the tradition and keep the dance open to the public.

However, no information is provided on whether general visitors can participate as dancers or musicians.

The dance is presented as a performance in the main hall of Matsuo-dera Temple, watched by people visiting the temple.

For peace of mind, check with the organizers before the event about whether general visitors may participate and what to expect when watching.

Location and access

Venue and address

Main Hall of Matsunoo-dera Temple (532 Matsuo, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture)

Train and bus

A 20-minute taxi ride from Higashi-Maizuru Station on the JR Maizuru Line.

Walking routes are also listed: about 40 minutes from Matsunoo-dera-guchi bus stop, or about 50 minutes from JR Matsunoo-dera Station.

By car

A 15-minute drive from the Maizuru-Higashi Interchange on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway.

Parking

Paid parking is available.

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Address 532 Matsuo, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the published event date has passed)

In 2026, the Buddha Dance at Matsunoo-dera Temple was scheduled for the Gregorian-calendar date May 8, corresponding to the eighth day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar.

Maizuru City’s festival information lists the event as starting at 12 p.m. on May 8.

As in other years, the Buddha Dance is performed on May 8 in conjunction with the Buddha’s Birthday service, known as the Flower Festival.

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Nearby attractions

Matsunoo-dera Temple stands halfway up Mount Aoba, known as Wakasa Fuji, and is the 29th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

Nearby attractions include Aobayama-roku Park and Kongoin Temple.

Matsunoo-dera Temple houses cultural properties including the National Treasure image of Fugen Enmei and a seated statue of Amida Nyorai by Kaikei. These are displayed in the temple’s treasure hall in spring and autumn.

Please check the visiting conditions and fees for the treasure hall before your visit.

Origins and History of The Buddha Dance at Matsunoo-dera Temple

Locally, the Buddha Dance is said to have originated about 600 years ago.

Inscriptions dated 1725 on the box for the Buddhist masks, along with temple records from the 18th and 19th centuries, confirm that the dance was performed at the Buddha’s Birthday service in April 8 as early as the 18th century.

It is thought to have shifted from April to the current May 8 after the Meiji period began. In the past, the tradition was passed down by families designated for each Buddha and instrument.

Official information

The Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties introduces the Buddha Dance at Matsunoo-dera Temple as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

It is also listed among the city’s festivals on Maizuru City’s official website, which provides the event time and details for May 8.

You can also check the temple and transportation information on the official website of the Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Federation.

The Buddha Dance at Matsunoo-dera Temple at a Glance

The Buddha Dance at Matsunoo-dera Temple is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in which six dancers wearing Buddhist masks perform inside the main hall to the sounds of gagaku.

Highlights include masks representing three Buddhas, the dance in two rows, movements in which dancers exchange positions, and the accompanying music, including the taiko drum.

The event is held every year on May 8; the 2026 listing gave a start time of 12 p.m.

The venue is Matsunoo-dera Temple in Matsuo, Maizuru City.