A yakko procession dating back to the Edo period, carrying Ainuma’s pride into the present
Ainuma Yakko
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Ainuma district (past performance venue: Nagomi no Ie)
- Area
- Hokkaido・Yakumo Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 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.
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Required number of participants
- 25 performers (2025 performance)
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Ainuma Yakko, passed down in Ainuma, Kumaishi, Yakumo, Hokkaido, is a yakko procession that dates back to the Edo period. You can see this traditional performance, featuring Kasatori, Nagara, and the Seven Implements, at local events.
About Ainuma Yakko
Ainuma Yakko is a local performing art passed down in the Ainuma district of Kumaishi, Yakumo, Hokkaido.
This performance has been passed down as a yakko procession, with local people preserving the tradition through repeated practice and performances.
It is designated an intangible cultural property of Yakumo Town and may be performed in conjunction with local events.
Source: 熊石ブログ春夏秋冬 | ふるさと熊石の四季をお届けします | ページ 8 / 熊石ブログ春夏秋冬 | ふるさと熊石の四季をお届けします | ページ 55
Festival highlights
The highlight is a traditional performance in which performers dressed as yakko march in formation.
The procession follows a sequence featuring Kasatori, Nagara, and the Seven Implements, with performers handling the implements as they march in orderly formation.
The 2025 performance featured 25 performers, watched by about 250 spectators.
A yakko procession dating back to the Edo period, carrying Ainuma’s pride into the present
What to expect
During the performance, performers wear Ainuma Yakko costumes and carry its implements as they perform in formation.
The highlight is the procession’s sequence of forms, from Kasatori to Nagara and then the Seven Implements.
In recent years, it has been performed after events in the Ainuma district, where visitors can enjoy watching the performance.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
必要人数：25名（2025年の披露）
Location and access
- Venue and address
Performances take place in the Ainuma area.
The Nagomi no Ie in Ainumicho, Kumaishi, Yakumo Town is listed as the performance venue for 2024 and 2025.
- Train and bus
There is a local bus route between Kumaishi, Otobe, and Esashi.
- By car
You can reach Yakumo Town via National Routes 5 and 229 or the Hokkaido Expressway.
Source: 八雲町熊石相沼で『あいぬ○シェ』・8年ぶりに『相沼奴』披露 | kk512080930のブログ / 八雲町への交通手段 - 八雲町公式サイト｜太平洋と日本海、二つの海をもつ町
Event venue 北海道八雲町 相沼地区
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Tips for your visit
Ainuma Yakko may be performed in conjunction with local events, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule for other events taking place on the same day as well as the performance time.
For outdoor performances, dress appropriately for the weather.
When watching, follow the guidance in the area so as not to obstruct the performers’ route or formation.
Origins and History of Ainuma Yakko
Ainuma Yakko has been passed down as a yakko procession dating back to the Edo period.
The procession follows a sequence of forms, from Kasatori to Nagara and then the Seven Implements, and is preserved as a local traditional performing art.
It was performed at the Ainuma Hachiman Shrine Grand Festival in 2016 for the first time in 6 years, again in 2024 after 8 years, and also in 2025.
Official information
The official Yakumo Town blog, “Kumaishi Blog: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter,” features performances of Ainuma Yakko and notes that it is an intangible cultural property of Yakumo Town.
The Yakumo Town events listing includes festivals and events in the Kumaishi area.
Ainuma Yakko at a Glance
Ainuma Yakko is a yakko procession passed down since the Edo period in the Ainuma district of Kumaishi, Yakumo.
It is known for its performance sequence of Kasatori, Nagara, and the Seven Implements, as well as its coordinated movements in formation. It is designated an intangible cultural property of Yakumo Town.
It may be performed at local events and major shrine festivals.
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 Hokkaido / Yakumo Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
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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