Tsunoyama Kagura

Festival highlights

Highlights include a variety of performances, such as entering the shrine precincts, the Heavenly Rock Cave, exorcising evil spirits, defeating demons, a bow dance, and sea-bream fishing.

The dancing is bold and vigorous, accompanied by large drums, shime-daiko drums, flutes, and bronze clappers.

This event offers a chance to appreciate the rich structure of kagura, with numerous performances presented over many hours.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース

Tsunono Town’s classical kagura, passed down through drums and dance

What to expect

Kagura is dedicated during shrine festivals, with dance and musical accompaniment unfolding for each performance.

Performing all 17 dances takes about 8 hours in total.

According to the 2026 information for Tsuno Town, the kagura will be dedicated at Yoshino Suwa Shrine from 10 a.m., and the date and time vary by venue.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

参加費：無料（先着優先）

Location and access

Venue and address

Yoshino Suwa Shrine (4519 Yoshino Kō, Tsuno Town).

Address 4519 Yoshino Kō, Tsuno Town, Takaoka District, Kochi Prefecture

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Dates and season

Tsunoyama Kagura is performed irregularly from autumn through winter.

This event travels from village to village, performing kagura.

The acts include Miyairi, Heimai, Tegusa, Amano-Iwato, Akumabarai, Daiban, Hanamai, Niten, Yamafukashi, Yumai, Kishin Taiji, Sarutahiko, Naginata, Oshiki, Myoken, Hojo-mai, Tai-tsuri, and Shiten.

The specific date, venue, and time for 2026 could not be confirmed, so we will not include the existing text stating that it is held on November 19 or that the performance is dedicated at 10 a.m.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The 2026 dedication at Yoshino Suwa Shrine is listed as free admission, with priority given in order of arrival.

Dedications are planned at several shrines in Tsuno Town, and dates and times vary by venue, so please check your destination and the time in advance.

Some performances last for many hours, so it may be helpful to decide in advance how much you plan to watch.

Nearby attractions

In the area around Tsuno Town, Shikoku Karst is introduced as a highlight of Higashi-Tsuno Village.

Shikoku Karst stretches for 25 km and is a nature park where visitors can enjoy hiking, forest bathing, and stargazing.

Mount Irifuyama is also the source of the Shimanto River, and there are directions for walking from the source monument to visit it.

Source: 77.四万十源流の大モミ：四国森林管理局

Origins and History of Tsunoyama Kagura

Tsunoyama Koshiki Kagura is said to have a history of more than 1000 years.

Another source says it began in Engi 13 (913) and that shrine priests have continued to sing and dance it since the time they welcomed Mishima Shrine from Iyo and enshrined it as a guardian deity.

It is now passed down by a preservation society and has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

Source: 祭・イベント詳細： 津野山神楽｜（一財）都市農山漁村交流活性化機構（まちむら交流きこう）

Official information

Information about the 2026 event can be found in the event listings for Yosakoi Kochi Culture Festival 2026.

Information from Tsuno Town also lists the dedication dates and times at the town’s various shrines.

Source: 行政トップページ | 津野町

Tsunoyama Kagura at a Glance

Tsunoyama Kagura is a kagura tradition with a long history, dedicated at shrines in Tsuno Town to pray for bountiful harvests and freedom from illness and misfortune.

Highlights include 17 performances, musical accompaniment with drums and flutes, and bold, vigorous dancing.

In 2026, it is scheduled to be dedicated at Yoshino Suwa Shrine on November 19, but dates and times vary by shrine, so be sure to check.