A night of Izumo kagura, passed down through performances by children and adults
Odochi Kagura
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Late October / Every year
- Location
- Grounds of Odochi Kojinja Shrine
- Area
- Shimane Prefecture・Izumo City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 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
Odochi has been passed down since the mid-Edo period at Odochi Kojinja Shrine in Taisha-cho, Izumo City. To the sound of and flutes, the Shichiza ritual dances and mythological dramas are performed throughout the night.
About Odochi Kagura
Odochi Kagura is an Izumo-style kagura passed down through the annual festival of Odochi Kojinja Shrine in Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.
It has been performed by local people since the mid-Edo period and consists of ritual dances and theatrical dances based on mythology and other subjects.
One distinctive feature is that children perform roles usually taken by adults in kagura performed by religious practitioners.
It is passed down by parishioners of Odochi Kojinja Shrine and a preservation society in a form closely connected to local festivals.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Shichiza dances performed after the taiko and flute music, and shinkō, theatrical dances based on mythology and folk tales.
Children and adults perform together in scenes such as Goza-mai, in which a girl aged 4 or 5 plays the lead; Yaotome, danced by elementary school girls; and Yama no Kami, in which an elementary school boy takes the role of the local deity.
Distinctive features also include the unusual costume, worn over a “makura” carried on the waist, and powerful movements with forceful stamping.
The sounds of the large taiko, shime-daiko, and flute blend with the movements of the dance.
Source: 社中：大土地神楽保存会 | 出雲大社
A night of Izumo kagura, passed down through performances by children and adults
What to expect
The kagura begins with a musical performance called “Iri-mōshi,” featuring a large taiko, a shime-daiko, and a flute.
This is followed by the ritual dances collectively known as Shichiza, including Shiokiyome, Warukiri, Kami-oroshi, Goza-mai, and Yaotome.
The later part features theatrical dances based on mythology, Noh, and folk tales, including Yachihoko, Yama no Kami, Sarutahiko, Iwato, and O-Ebisu.
The dance stage and backstage area are connected by a covered walkway called Ukibashi, along which performers and musicians come and go.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Grounds of Odochi Kojinja Shrine (Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture).
The dance stage is temporarily set up in the southwestern part of the grounds, diagonally to the right when facing the shrine building.
Source: 大土地神楽｜日本遺産ポータルサイト
Address Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture
Dates and season
The kagura held as part of the Otsuchi Aragami Shrine takes place on the Friday and Saturday closest to October 25.
It is traditionally performed over 2 days—the eve festival and the main festival—from evening until dawn.
On both days, the kagura is said to begin around 6:30 p.m. and continue until around 3:30 a.m. the following day.
Source: 大土地神楽｜文化デジタルライブラリー
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 Shimane Prefecture / Izumo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
出雲大社
島根県出雲市にある神社
出雲大社宝物殿
島根県出雲市にある出雲大社の展示施設
出雲文化伝承館
島根県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
出雲科学館
島根県出雲市にある科学館
宍道湖自然館ゴビウス
島根県出雲市にある水族館
島根県立古代出雲歴史博物館
島根県出雲市にある博物館
Origins and History of Odochi Kagura
Odochi Kagura has been performed by local people since the mid-Edo period.
It appears in records from Hōreki 4 (1754), and is said to have been officially recognized by the domain in Kōka 4 (1847) as a traditional amateur kagura.
The tradition of children performing dates back to Hōreki 11 (1761).
It was designated a Shimane Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Showa 60 and an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in Heisei 17, and has been passed down to the present by a preservation society.
Source: 大土地神楽｜島根県立古代出雲歴史博物館
Official information
The “Odochi Kagura Preservation Society” page on the official Izumo Taisha website has information about the society’s origins, performances, annual festival period, and activities.
Odochi Kagura at a Glance
Odochi Kagura is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property passed down through the annual festival of Odochi Kojinja Shrine in Taisha-cho, Izumo City.
Music played on taiko and flutes, the Shichiza ritual dances, and shinkō based on mythology are performed by children and adults together.
At the annual festival, the tradition continues of performing from evening until dawn on the Friday and Saturday closest to October 25.
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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