Takachiho no Yo Kagura

Festival highlights

Highlights include the dances’ order, subjects, and styles, which vary from village to village.

The Iwato Goban, performed around dawn, is a late-program piece based on the Japanese myth of Ama-no-Iwato and is considered a highlight of the all-night kagura.

The first 7 pieces, known as the Yodo Goban, include the three ceremonial dances: Kamioroshi, Chinju, and Sugिनobori. They are followed by dances wishing for safe childbirth, protection from misfortune, and a good harvest.

An all-night ritual preserving myth-inspired dances in each village

What to expect

Yo Kagura begins with a ritual at the village’s guardian shrine, followed by a procession to the kagura venue accompanied by michi-kagura dances.

At the kagura venue, after the Maiire and Okanaya-hajime ceremonies, 33 pieces are performed through the night.

The timing and order of dances vary somewhat by district, and the Iwato Goban is performed around dawn.

Source: 高千穂の夜神楽 | 神話のふるさと特集 | 宮崎県公式観光サイト「みやざき観光ナビ」 / 夜神楽日程表 | 高千穂町観光協会【公式】 宮崎県 高千穂の観光 · Accommodation · Event information

How to take part

General viewing is described as open to everyone, and you can watch the hono performances at a village kagura lodging.

However, Y kagura is a local religious rite, so visitors pay “Offering Before the Deity” at the reception desk as a courtesy when attending the ritual.

In some villages, food and drink may be served as part of a naorai ritual, in which people and the gods come together as one.

Location and access

Venue and address

Kagura venues (private homes and community centers) in villages throughout Takachiho Town.

The venue varies by village and changes each year.

For dates and locations, please contact the Takachiho Town Tourism Association.

By car

Routes to each venue vary by village.

Parking

Availability varies by venue.

Check the number of parking spaces listed for each venue on the schedule.

Source: イベント情報｜宮崎神社めぐり

Address Villages throughout Takachiho Town, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture

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Dates and season

Takachiho no Yo Kagura is performed in around 20 villages in Takachiho Town, usually from mid-November to early February the following year.

The season for fiscal year 2026 is listed as running from November 21, 2026 to February 7, 2027.

The dates vary by village, so check the schedule when deciding where to visit.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Check the dates and locations for Yo Kagura before setting out.

As the performances continue through the night, bring warm clothing. Bringing drinks and light snacks is also recommended.

Viewing is open to the public. However, as this is a place where a religious ritual is being held, respect local customs when watching, such as making an offering at the reception.

Origins and History of Takachiho no Yo Kagura

Takachiho no Yo Kagura is believed to have taken shape between the late Heian period and the Kamakura period.

Until around the end of the Edo period, it was passed down and performed mainly by priests of Takachiho Shrine. It was later organized into 33 pieces and came to be inherited by each village.

Today, local residents in each area continue to pass it down through generations.

Official information

The dates and venues vary by village. The schedule is set around October each year and posted on the Takachiho Town Tourism Association website.

For dates and locations, you can contact the Takachiho Town Tourism Association or the Takachiho Town Planning and Tourism Division.

Visit the official website

Takachiho no Yo Kagura at a Glance

Takachiho no Yo Kagura is a traditional ritual in which each village in Takachiho Town welcomes its tutelary deity and performs 33 pieces through the night.

Venues and the order of dances vary by village, offering a chance to experience local traditions such as the Iwato Goban performed around dawn.

The season for fiscal year 2026 is listed as running from November 21, 2026 to February 7, 2027.