Guida
The Tarui Hikiyama Festival is an annual ritual held at Yaegaki Shrine, the guardian deity of Tarui Town in Gifu Prefecture. The festival's origins date back to the Nanboku-cho period, born from a tradition where villagers paraded flower-decorated floats to offer comfort to the spirit of Emperor Koganei. Today, it remains a deeply cherished local tradition featuring three magnificent 'Hikiyama' (festival floats) that traverse the town.
The true essence of this festival lies in the breathtaking sight of the ornate floats paired with the spirited 'Child Kabuki' performances. The floats are exquisite examples of the Nagahama style, characterized by beautiful lacquerwork, intricate carvings, and opulent metal fittings. These are officially designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Gifu Prefecture.
Watching the elementary school students perform Kabuki atop these floats is a profound experience. This is one of the few remaining traditions of 'amateur Kabuki' in Japan, where the pure dedication of the children brings the ancient art to life. Each of the three floats—Panrin-kaku, Shiun-kaku, and Ho-o-san—carries its own sacred treasures and unique character for you to discover.
The festival takes place over three days from May 2 to May 4. During this period, there are six performances per day, allowing visitors to enjoy the energetic performances of the children between 11:00 and 22:00.
The festivities are centered around the area of Yaegaki Shrine in Tarui Town, Gifu Prefecture.
The sheer detail of the lacquer-finished floats is overwhelming when seen up close. The Child Kabuki is a precious tradition that the local children have practiced for weeks to perfect. While there are six performances scheduled daily, we recommend checking local notices or the official website for the most current timing.
As this is an outdoor event, please dress according to the weather conditions. We recommend comfortable walking shoes to enjoy the festivities and the surrounding shrine area.