About the festival
Takachiho Yokagura is an overnight sequence of sacred dance hosted by individual villages. It is different from the shorter visitor performance at Takachiho Shrine.
Who is it for?
Visitors interested in living village traditions who can arrange rural nighttime transport.
Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada · CC BY 2.0
Original date: 2016-10-13 21:03. Original image or Commons thumbnail; no additional edits.
Dates and times
Usually November–February; dates and hosts differ by village
Usual season; next dates not confirmed. Times use JST. See the official programme for session times and changes.
Venue and parade route
Takachiho · 高千穂
Traditional Yokagura takes place at each village's kagura-yado, announced for that year's host. Takachiho Shrine is only a map reference point for the region; its tourist performance is separate.
各集落の神楽宿・案内基点は高千穂神社
The map pin marks a reference venue, rather than every entrance or the full parade route.
Getting there by train or bus
- Take a Takachiho-bound bus from Kumamoto or Nobeoka. Arrange transport from the bus center to your village host and a late-night return.
What to see
- Sacred dance sequences
- Village-hosted rites
- Overnight performances
History and origins
The rite is traditionally traced to the late Heian or Kamakura period. Villages welcome deities and offer dances through the night.
Planning your visit
Our editorial suggestions for planning your trip.
Choose between a village overnight rite and the shrine's visitor performance, then plan the transport and length of stay.
Places to visit nearby
Takachiho Gorge
高千穂峡
Cliffs and waterfall scenery in Takachiho Gorge.
Visit by day and arrange separate transport to the village; weather and water levels can affect paths and boats.
These stops and the suggested order are editorial recommendations. Check each venue's opening hours and festival-day road closures before travelling.
Takachiho Yokagura: common questions
When is Takachiho Yokagura?
Usually November–February; dates and hosts differ by village This is the usual season, rather than a confirmed timetable for the next edition. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Where does Takachiho Yokagura take place?
Traditional Yokagura takes place at each village's kagura-yado, announced for that year's host. Takachiho Shrine is only a map reference point for the region; its tourist performance is separate.
How do I get to Takachiho Yokagura by public transport?
Take a Takachiho-bound bus from Kumamoto or Nobeoka. Arrange transport from the bus center to your village host and a late-night return.
Is the shrine's regular visitor performance the overnight Yokagura?
No. The shorter shrine show and village overnight rites are separate programs with different places and schedules.
Official sources
- Festival and visitor guide 1 (takachiho-kanko.info) ↗
- Festival and visitor guide 2 (www.kanko-miyazaki.jp) ↗
Sources reviewed: .