Kagura from Minamiaso, with dances of myth and bamboo climbing passed down through generations
Nagano Iwato Kagura
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The Sunday closest to May 15 and the Saturday closest to October 20 / Twice a year
- Location
- Hall at Nagano Aso Shrine (Nagano Kagura no Sato Park)
- Area
- Kumamoto Prefecture・Minamiaso Village(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Nagano Iwato Kagura, passed down in Nagano, Minamiaso Village, is a traditional performing art known for its 33 dances depicting myths and its acrobatic-style performance in which performers climb a bamboo pole more than 10 meters tall.
About Nagano Iwato Kagura
Nagano Iwato Kagura is an Izumo-style kagura passed down in Nagano, Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture.
At festivals at Nagano Aso Shrine, this kagura is performed as an offering. It includes theatrical-style dances based on myths, as well as dances using , branches, bells, bows, swords, and other ritual objects.
It consists of 33 dance pieces and is passed down by a preservation society as a traditional performing art rooted in the community.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 長陽村長野の岩戸神楽 | くまもと伝承芸能情報サイト
Festival highlights
One of the highlights is Tenno Shichigosan, an acrobatic-style performance in which performers climb a bamboo pole more than 10 meters tall, commonly known as the Bamboo-Climbing Dance.
Other pieces include Yakumo Harai, in which Susanoo-no-Mikoto slays a great serpent, and Kenbu, a sword dance that subdues raging gods with 4 swords.
Dances depicting mythological scenes with masks and performances using a tall bamboo pole are among the features that define Nagano Iwato Kagura.
Kagura from Minamiaso, with dances of myth and bamboo climbing passed down through generations
What to expect
The offerings include dances using ritual objects and theatrical-style dances based on myths, selected from the repertoire of 33 pieces.
The repertoire ranges from the Dance of the Descent of the Gods to the Dance of Opening the Iwato Cave, and includes dances performed in masks.
At the autumn grand festival, the outdoor kagura performance Tenno Shichigosan is presented, featuring acrobatic acts in which performers climb a bamboo pole.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kagura Hall at Nagano Aso Shrine (Nagano Kagura no Sato Park).
Event venue 熊本県南阿蘇村 長野阿蘇神社神楽殿
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
The main public performances are the summer grand festival on the Sunday closest to May 15 and the autumn grand festival on the Saturday closest to October 20.
Nagano Iwato Kagura is performed as an offering twice a year during festivals at Nagano Aso Shrine.
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 Kumamoto Prefecture / Minamiaso Village (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
明神池名水公園
熊本県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
Origins and History of Nagano Iwato Kagura
Nagano Iwato Kagura is a kagura of the Izumo tradition handed down in Nagano, Minamiaso Village.
It is thought to have been influenced by kagura around Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture and Bungo Kagura in Oita, and has developed as a locally distinctive performing art with 33 dance pieces.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kumamoto Prefecture and was selected as a nationally designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1974.
Official information
The National Database of Cultural Properties provides designation information and explanations of the pieces for Nagano Iwato Kagura.
The Kumamoto Traditional Performing Arts Information Site provides information about its transmission site in Nagano, Minamiaso Village, the main public performance dates, the venue, and the preservation group.
Nagano Iwato Kagura at a Glance
Nagano Iwato Kagura is an Izumo-style kagura with 33 dance pieces, passed down in Nagano, Minamiaso Village.
Alongside dances depicting myths, you can enjoy distinctive performances such as Tenno Shichigosan, in which performers climb a bamboo pole more than 10 meters tall.
The main public performances are held twice a year, in spring and autumn, at the kagura hall of Nagano Aso Shrine.
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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