Oki Dozen Kagura

Festival highlights

A highlight is the distinctive musical accompaniment, which uses drums, bronze cymbals, and sacred songs, but no flute.

Performances include mikagura dances by shrine maidens and noh performed in kagura masks. In “Yaegaki,” Susanoo-no-Mikoto’s slaying of the great serpent is depicted.

Ebisu’s gestures as he fishes for sea bream and exchanges with spectators are also part of the performances, with religious rites and theatrical expression intertwined in each piece.

Source: 島前神楽｜島根県立古代出雲歴史博物館

A prayerful kagura woven from sacred songs and dances, alive on the Dozen Islands

What to expect

The kagura begins with yoseraku, followed by dances to purify the ritual space and invite the gods, dances by shrine maidens, and noh performances. It ends with kamimodashi, the sending off of the gods.

Performances include Kamitsumai, Sanko, Yudate, Yaegaki, and Ebisu.

A temporary stage is set up for each event, allowing visitors to watch the performers’ dances and the musicians’ music up close, with the musicians arranged on three sides.

How to take part

The Daishime Kagura held in the grounds of Oki Shrine in Ama Town on May 30, 2026 was free to watch, with no reservations required and visitors free to come and go.

Information notes that even small children are welcome, making this an easy event to attend as a spectator.

The Daishime Kagura on May 30, 2026 could be watched without advance reservations, and visitors were free to come and go.

The venue is scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m., with the performance starting at 10 a.m. It will include a lunch break and is scheduled to end at 3:50 p.m.

No information is provided about how to apply or register to participate as a performer.

Source: 【5/30土】島前三町村繁栄祈願「大注連神楽」 | 海士町公式サイト

Location and access

Venue and address

The Daishime Kagura on May 30, 2026 was held in the grounds of Oki Shrine (1784 Ama, Ama Town, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture); in case of rain, it was held in the shrine building.

The Yaki Shrine Reisai on the 24th, starting July 23, 2026, takes place at Yaki Shrine, 1294 Mita, Nishinoshima Town.

Train and bus

To reach the Ama Town venue, take the Toyoda Line from Hishiko Port and get off at “Oki Shrine.”

By car

From Beppu Port, it takes 20 minutes by car to reach the trailhead for Takihijinja Shrine.

Parking

Parking at the outer garden of Oki Shrine is listed for the Ama Town venue.

Source: 焼火神社例祭（隠岐島前神楽） | OMATSURI NAVI｜英語対応、日本のお祭り検索サイト「お祭りナビ」

Event venue 島根県西ノ島町、海士町、知夫村 2026年5月30日の大注連神楽は隠岐神社境内で開催され

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

Oki Dozen Kagura is performed as part of summer festivals and shrine festivals.

In 2026, Ōshimen Kagura was held at Oki Shrine in Ama Town on May 30, and performances were announced for the annual festival at Takuhi Shrine in Nishinoshima Town from July 23 through the 24th.

Since some venues hold events every year and others every other year, there is no single schedule for the Dozen Islands as a whole.

Tips for your visit

For performances on temporary outdoor stages, visitors should be prepared for the weather and heat.

For the Ama Town performance on May 30, 2026, visitors were advised to take precautions against the heat, as the event was held outdoors; in case of rain, it was held in the shrine building.

Since kagura is associated with shrine festivals and prayers, visitors are encouraged to watch quietly and avoid disrupting the proceedings when entering or leaving.

Origins and History of Oki Dozen Kagura

Oki Dozen Kagura was once passed down by families of kagura performers known as shake.

The Dozen Islands are said to have had 5 shake families. Today, it is carried on mainly by the Ishizuka and Akizuki families, along with preservation societies and enthusiast groups that include local residents.

In the past, different kagura performances were held for specific purposes, such as praying for rain, recovery from illness, and a good catch. After changes from the Meiji era onward, the tradition was passed down in its present form.

Official information

The 2026 Ōshimen Kagura was hosted by the Ama Town Board of Education, with support from the Oki Dozen Kagura Preservation Society and others.

Check the event page on the official Ama Town website for event announcements, venue, transportation, and viewing conditions.

Explanations of the performance traditions and distinctive features of Oki Dozen Kagura are also available from the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo.

Oki Dozen Kagura at a Glance

Oki Dozen Kagura is a form of kagura combining religious rites and performing arts, passed down in Nishinoshima Town, Ama Town, and Chibu Village.

Its defining features include music led by sacred songs and drums, miko dances, noh performed with kagura masks, and performances on temporary stages.

In 2026, events including Ōshimen Kagura in Ama Town and the annual festival at Takuhi Shrine in Nishinoshima Town were announced, offering opportunities to see how the tradition varies from one venue to another.