Hanagasa Dance and lion dance passed down in Kitatanoura, led by taiko and flutes
Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- April 14 (festival eve) · April 15 (festival day)
- Location
- Oreichi Shrine
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Sado City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h 10 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
This festival features the Hanagasa Dance and , dedicated at Oreichi Shrine in Kitatanoura, Sado City. You can learn about this traditional performing art, in which a dance space takes shape to the sound of , flutes, and singing, alongside the area's history.
About Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals
The Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals are a festival featuring the Hanagasa Dance and lion dance, dedicated in Kitatanoura, Sado City.
The Hanagasa Dance and lion dance were learned by people who made pilgrimages to Kamigata around 350 years ago, and have been passed down from generation to generation by the village's young people.
The festival is designated an intangible folk cultural property by Sado City and is an occasion for dedicating performing arts passed down in the community.
Festival highlights
In the Hanagasa Dance, the taiko players, geiuchi performers, and stick dancers begin at the same time. The stick dancers, sasara players, and lion dancers weave around one another to form a circular dance space.
Flute players join in, and after 3 circuits, the lion moves to the center as singing begins, while the sasara players perform on the outside to the accompaniment of flutes and taiko.
The bamboo flute used in the lion dance is a simple handmade instrument with just a blowing hole and one finger hole, and it has the distinctive feature of producing 2 notes.
Hanagasa Dance and lion dance passed down in Kitatanoura, led by taiko and flutes
What to expect
The Hanagasa Dance is performed by dozens of people, with the taiko players, geiuchi performers, and stick dancers beginning at the same time.
The geiuchi performers lead the way, circling as if to expand the dance space. Stick dancers, sasara players, and lion dancers join in to form a circular dance space.
Then, as the singing begins, the lion moves to the center, while the sasara players perform on the outside to the accompaniment of flutes and taiko.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Oreichi Shrine, Kitatanoura, Sado City
Address Kitatanoura, Sado City
Dates and season
- Season
April 14 (festival eve) · April 15 (festival day)
Accommodation and hotels PR
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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 Niigata Prefecture / Sado City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
佐渡博物館
新潟県佐渡市にある博物館
佐渡島の金山
新潟県佐渡市にある世界遺産
Origins and History of Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals
The Hanagasa Dance and lion dance have been passed down from generation to generation by the village's young people ever since they were learned by people who made pilgrimages to Kamigata around 350 years ago.
In the past, the eve of the festival was held on day 20 of lunar month 7, with the festival day on the following 21st. Today, the eve of the festival is held on April 14, with the festival day on the following 15th.
In Heisei 16March 1, the Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals were designated an intangible folk cultural property by Sado City.
Official information
The Sado City official website introduces an overview of the cultural-property designation and the dedication performances under “Sado City Designated Folk Cultural Property: Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals.”
Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals at a Glance
The Oreichi Shrine Festival Rituals are a festival featuring the Hanagasa Dance and lion dance, passed down through generations in Kitatanoura, Sado City.
The performance is distinctive for its formation of a dance space by dozens of performers to the accompaniment of taiko, flutes, and singing, joined by lion dancers and sasara players.
Passed down for around 350 years, this intangible folk cultural property is dedicated on the eve of the festival on April 14 and on the festival day the following 15th.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
