A traditional performing art from Shimodomi, Saito, brought to life by drums and banners
Shimodomi Usu-daiko Odori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- day 1 of lunar month 8 (the Hassaku festival) / Every year
- Location
- The grounds of Minamikata Shrine, the Hitotsuse River plain, in front of the Fire Deity, and other locations
- Area
- Miyazaki Prefecture・Saito City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h · 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Required number of participants
- 1 group of 24 people (16 players, including bell players and singers)
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A traditional performing art from the Shimodomi district of Saito City, Miyazaki Prefecture, in which dancers beat drums and change formations to the singing and kane gong. On the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it is dedicated as a prayer to the deities of water and fire.
About Shimodomi Usu-daiko Odori
Shimodomi Usu-daiko Odori is a drum dance passed down in the Shimodomi district of Hokita, Saito City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
The dancers hold large mortar-shaped drums against their chests and dance to the kane gong and singing.
On the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it is dedicated at places such as the grounds of Minamikata Shrine, as a prayer to the deities of water and fire.
It is also an intangible folk cultural property that has been protected and passed down through generations in the community.
Source: 下水流臼太鼓踊 - Wikipedia / 下水流の臼太鼓踊 文化遺産オンライン
Festival highlights
The highlight is the energetic dancing as the performers beat drums and change formations.
The dancers carry banners on their backs and move to the song while beating the shime-daiko drums with bachi in both hands.
Another distinctive feature is the formation of lines or circles in 4 groups, bringing together drums, kane gongs, and singing in a unified performance.
A traditional performing art from Shimodomi, Saito, brought to life by drums and banners
What to expect
During the dedication, the performance is carried out by a group comprising drummers, a person playing the kane gong, and singers.
The Cultural Heritage Online introduces 6 pieces in the repertoire: “Aso,” “Gojō,” “Shisetsu,” “Sakakin,” “Kase,” and “Ono.”
The dancers beat drums and change formations as they dance to the singing, at places such as the grounds of Minamikata Shrine.
How to take part
必要人数：1組24人（太鼓16人、鉦・唄を含む）
Location and access
- Venue and address
It is dedicated at places such as the grounds of Minamikata Shrine, the Hitotsuse River plain, and in front of the Fire Deity.
It takes place in the Shimodomi district of Hokita, Saito City.
Event venue 宮崎県西都市 南方神社の
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
It is usually performed as an offering on the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the Hassaku festival.
南方神社の境内などで踊られる習わしです。
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 Miyazaki Prefecture / Saito City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
宮崎県立西都原考古博物館
宮崎県西都市にある考古学系博物館。
西都市歴史民俗資料館
宮崎県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of Shimodomi Usu-daiko Odori
According to one tradition, its origins lie in tactics used by Kato Kiyomasa during the Bunroku and Keicho invasions of Korea.
The story goes that they approached the enemy camp while dancing with usu-daiko drums held close, then attacked with small knives hidden inside the drums.
In 1971, “Shimodomi no Usu-daiko Odori” was selected as an intangible folk cultural property requiring measures such as documentation.
Official information
The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Cultural Heritage Online introduces “Shimodomi no Usu-daiko Odori” as an intangible folk cultural property.
The Shimodomi Usu-daiko Odori Preservation Society is listed as the preservation group, and information is also provided about the performance’s structure, dedication locations, and repertoire.
Shimodomi Usu-daiko Odori at a Glance
Shimodomi Usu-daiko Odori is a drum dance passed down in the Shimodomi district of Hokita, Saito City.
Highlights include the sounds of drums, kane gongs, and singing, as well as the dancers carrying banners on their backs and changing formations.
On the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it is dedicated at places such as the grounds of Minamikata Shrine, as a prayer to the deities of water and fire.
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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