- Activity
- Shimane
Iwami Night Kagura
The area of Iwami in western Shimane Prefecture is famous for Kagura. While being a traditional performance, it has evolved to keep up with the current times by introducing the use of fireworks and other elements. At Yunotsu Onsen, this performance will be performed by local speakers almost in every Saturday night.
Originally a sacred dance performed by priests and dedicated to the gods, kagura is now a form of entertainment that anyone can perform. Iwami Kagura is unique for its faster tempo and energetic feel. The passion that the people of Iwami have for kagura can only be felt by watching one of these dances.
There are more than 30 different Kagura plays, each with its own unique costumes and dances. They are accompanied by instruments like drums, flutes and hand clapping. The most impressive play is arguably the "Orochi". Based on the legend of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Yamata-no-Orochi which appears in the Nihon-shoki (the oldest chronicles of Japan), it features gigantic serpent costumes.
At Yunotsu Hot Springs resort, you can visit the workshop of a kagura mask craftsman and paint your own mask.
Location
| Name | Iwami Night Kagura |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | (In Japanese) https://iwami-kagura.jimdo.com/ |
| Access | Approx. 4 minutes' drive or 12 minutes' walk from Yunotsu Station on the JR San'in Main Line |
| Inquiries | TEL:0855-65-2515; masuda@ryokan-masuya.com (Masuya Ryokan, Yunotsu Onsen Ryokan Association) |
| Event Location | Inside Tatsunogozen Shrine: I-736 Izumitsu, Yunotsu-cho, Oda-shi, Shimane |
| Event Period | Every Saturday 20:00 to 21:00 (22:00 for certain performances) Please check the website for the detailed schedule. |
| Admission | Adults: 1000-1200 yen (depending on the performance) Free for Junior High School Students and younger |