A summer circle of dance connecting three traditions in Takahashi’s castle town
Matsuyama Odori
The 2026 edition of Matsuyama Odori has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/14 〜 2026/08/16Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, from August 14 to the 16th / Every year
- Location
- Main street in front of JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station
- Area
- Okayama Prefecture・Takahashi City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 10 min–3 h 40 min · 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This in Takahashi City, held on the main street in front of JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station, carries on the traditions of Ji-odori, Shikumi Odori, and Yatosa Odori.
About Matsuyama Odori
Matsuyama Odori is a Bon Odori passed down in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, and consists of three dances: Matsuyama Odori (Ji-odori), Shikumi Odori, and Yatosa Odori.
Ji-odori and Yatosa Odori are participatory dances performed in a circle around the .
The main street in front of the station serves as the stage for this regional tradition, passed down as a part of summer in the castle town.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the large dance circle, where the unhurried Ji-odori and the lively-rhythm Yatosa Odori alternate.
Ji-odori moves counterclockwise, while Yatosa moves clockwise. At the yagura, the lead singer’s chants are accompanied by Japanese drums, shamisen, and other instruments.
In Shikumi Odori, dancers dressed as samurai use swords and fans to portray historical events in a theatrical style.
Source: 飛び入り参加OK！「備中たかはし松山踊り」で城下町が熱く盛り上がる夏の3日間｜おか旅｜岡山観光WEB【公式】- 岡山県の観光・旅行情報ならココ！ / 松山踊り - Wikipedia
A summer circle of dance connecting three traditions in Takahashi’s castle town
What to expect
At the venue, dance troupes first compete, after which members of the general audience can join the dance circle.
Ji-odori and Yatosa Odori alternate at set intervals, and the dance direction changes in response to cues in the lyrics.
Dance lessons and demonstrations are also offered, and first-time visitors can join in by following the movements of the Odori Friends.
Source: 令和8年度実施要綱 - 高梁観光情報｜備中たかはし
How to take part
Matsuyama Odori (Jiodori) and Yatosadori are participatory dances where members of the general public can join the circle.
The general public cannot join during the dance competition judging, but once the competition ends, people are free to join or leave the circle.
Shikumi Odori is performed by designated dancers, so visitors watch rather than participate.
General participants join the dance circle after the competition judging has finished.
You can join or leave the circle whenever you like, and enjoy Ji-odori and Yatosa Odori by following the examples.
In 2026, dance lessons were also listed at the venue.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The main street in front of JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station (near 1314-2 Asahi-cho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture)
- Train and bus
It is just a short distance from JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station.
The journey from JR Okayama Station takes about 1 hour on a local Hakubi Line train, according to the information provided.
- By car
About 15 minutes from Kayo IC on the Okayama Expressway.
Traffic restrictions apply during the event hours.
- Parking
Free parking for 300 vehicles is listed.
Source: 【2026年】備中たかはし松山踊り｜イベント｜岡山観光WEB【公式】- 岡山県の観光・旅行情報ならココ！
Address Near 1314-2 Asahi-cho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was listed as taking place for 3 days, from August 14 (Friday) through the 16th (Sunday), from 7 p.m. to 10:20 p.m.
The venue is the main street in front of JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station. A dance competition for children’s and group dance troupes was scheduled for the 14th.
According to the 2026 event information, the festival was to proceed in rainy weather, and traffic restrictions were also planned during the event hours.
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 Okayama Prefecture / Takahashi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Traffic restrictions are in place around Ekimae Odori during the event, so if you arrive by car, use the designated parking lots and follow the directions of staff.
If you want to join the dancing, choose a general participation time rather than the competition judging period.
In 2026, the event was scheduled to go ahead in rainy weather, but any cancellation or schedule changes were to be announced.
Nearby attractions
備中松山城
かつて日本の岡山県高梁市にあった城
吉備川上ふれあい漫画美術館
岡山県高梁市にある美術館
高梁市成羽美術館
岡山県高梁市にある美術館、考古学系博物館
Origins and History of Matsuyama Odori
The Ji-odori dance of Matsuyama Odori is said to have originated in 1648, when Katsutaka Mizunoya, lord of the Bitchu Matsuyama Domain, had it performed at the autumn festival of Hachiman Shrine to pray for bountiful harvests and prosperity for the town’s merchants.
In 1744, Shikumi Odori, a dance for samurai, began.
Yatosa was introduced from nearby areas in the early Showa period and has become established as one of the three dances performed today.
Official information
Organized by the Bitchu Takahashi Matsuyama Odori Preservation Society.
Event information and guidelines are available on the Takahashi City Tourism Association’s “Bitchu Takahashi Matsuyama Odori” page.
The listed contact number is 0866-21-0461 for the Takahashi Branch of the Takahashi City Tourism Association.
Matsuyama Odori at a Glance
Matsuyama Odori is a Bon Odori where you can enjoy three types of dance passed down on the main street in front of the station in Takahashi City.
Ji-odori and Yatosa Odori are open to general participants, who can join the dance circle to the chants and music from the yagura.
In 2026, the event was listed as taking place from August 14 through the 16th, at a venue just a short distance from JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station.
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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