Guide
Yamaage Matsuri is a historic ritual held as part of the Yakumo Shrine Grand Festival in Nasukarasuyama, Tochigi Prefecture. The most striking feature is the construction of massive temporary stages called 'Yama'—reaching 10m in height and 100m in depth—where Kabuki (Shosa Kyogen) and Kagura are performed. These 'Yama' are beautifully crafted with traditional Japanese paper and move through the streets as they are assembled and disassembled. This event is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is closely linked to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The greatest draw is the dynamic Kabuki performances held on the 'Yama' stages that appear throughout the town. Local preservation societies perform traditional plays, often featuring mystical effects like smoke and sound. The appearance of the character 'Gama' in the popular play 'Shomon,' accompanied by dramatic smoke effects, is a breathtaking sight.
You also cannot miss 'Bunnuki,' one of the festival's climaxes, where floats meet in the streets and compete with rhythmic music, creating an atmosphere of intense excitement. Additionally, you can feel the raw energy of Japanese festivals through the 'Abare Mikoshi' (wild portable shrine) ritual and the sight of decorated floats parading through the night streets.
The entertainment performances are held annually during the 4th week of July, spanning Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The event takes place in the central area of the former Kusunuma town in Nasukarasuyama, Tochigi. The main stages are located around Yakumo Shrine and various points within the six town districts (Motoda, Kanai, Nakacho, Izumicho, Kajicho, and Hinomachi).
During the festival, many roads in the old Nasukarasuyama area will have traffic restrictions. The area around 'Seseragi-dori' becomes extremely crowded with many food stalls, so we highly recommend using public transportation or traveling on foot.
Yamaage Matsuri is a 'dynamic festival' where the entire town becomes one. The speed at which the stages are built, dismantled, and moved to the next location, along with the energy of the youth pulling the floats, is the essence of this event. Viewing areas may include open streets or designated paid seating. To fully experience the traditional performances and the excitement of 'Bunnuki,' please plan to arrive early.