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Yamaage Festival (Yamaage Matsuri)

山あげ祭り(那須烏山市)

The Festival with Japan's largest outdoor Kabuki performance
- A 'UNESCO intangible heritage'

The organizers have confirmed that this event is GOING ahead.
We're sure this is happening, but 2024 dates and times are not confirmed.

DATES

2024 : 26nd July (Fri) to 28th July (Sun) *The Fourth weekend of July

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Hours
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*Dates and times have NOT been confirmed with the organizer.

Festival Times & Schedule

Performances will take place on temporary stages around the center of Nasu-Karasuyama city!

FRI 9.00 am to 9.30 pm,

Friday’s performance time:

Morning (9.00 & 11.30),  Afternoon (1.45, 4.30),  Evening (7.00, 9.30)

SAT 9.00 am to 9.30 pm,

Saturday’s performance time:

Morning (9.00 & 12.00),  Afternoon (3.00, 5.00),  Evening (7.00, 9.30)  – *There is also a special Mikoshi departure at 6.30 pm from Yamaage Kaikan.

Sun 9.30 am to 10.00 pm

Sunday’s performance time: Morning (9.30 & 12.00),  Afternoon (2.30),  Evening (7.30, 10.00)

*Dates and times have been confirmed by the organizer. However, they are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Cost

Free

How to enjoy the Yamaage Festival?

Experience traditional Japan

Exciting atmosphere

Fun taking photos

UNESCO World Heritage

Enjoy for half a day

(Article) How to enjoy Yamaage Festival

(Article) Visiting Nasu-Karasuyama and its Kabuki Festival

Come 👀watch dynamic 👹Kabuki on a stunning outdoor Stage❗

🎎This 450-year-old outdoor kabuki festival is registered as a ‘UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage’ and is very special!

For 3 days every year, the main roads are transformed into outdoor stages with 🎋bamboo and washi (traditional Japanese paper) and local villagers perform Kabuki plays of ancient legends!

Make sure to join the fun and 👀watch these legends of daring escapes and be awed by the majesty of the backdrops, which are broken down and moved several times throughout each day

What to do nearby Yamaage Festival

Shimazaki Sake Brewery

Shimazaki Sake Brewery's (Shimazaki Shuzo) cave where they age sake

With a history of   years, Shimazaki Sake Brewery (島崎酒造) is a well known gem. It is also called the CAVE BREWERY as it has a cave where they mature their IWC Trophy sake. You can drop by the sake shop and on weekends visit the cave. You can also book a private tour by the owner who speaks English.

Access (How to get to the Yamaage Festival)

From Tokyo

Address

The outdoor kabuki stage moves around the town.

Mostly around the Kajimachi District, Nasukarasuyama City or Karasuyama Station, Yamaage Kaikan (All walking distance)

Yamaage Kaikan address:
2-5-26 Kanei, Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Pref. Japan 321-0628
(〒321-0628 栃木県那須烏山市金井 2-5-26)

By Train

From JR Karasuyama Station (JR Karasuyama Line)

Walk 10min from JR Karasuyama Station.

*You can take the JR Karasuyama Line from JR Utsunomiya Station where most bullet train stops from Tokyo.
*Please check the times for trains before leaving.
*There is a special ‘DIRECT’ JR train from Tokyo leaving Shinjuku at 9:35 am and arriving at Nasu-Karasuyama sta at 12:04 (Return train leaves Nasu-Karasuyama sta at 4:26 pm and arrives back in Shinjuku at 7:03 pm) – 2022 timetable.
*Please note that the Nasu-Karasuyama station does not take SUICA cards so you will need to buy a ticket at the station when leaving.

Use the Japan Transit Planner to find trains.

By Car

50 minutes drive from Utsunomiya IC on the Tohoku Expressway (Tohoku Jidoshado)
OR
50min drive from Kaminokawa IC on the Kitakanto Expressway (Kitakanto Jidoshado)

*Please use the train if possible as the area can get crowded.

(Parking is only limited to the fist 1,000 cars)

Contact Details (Event Organizer)

Any questions about this event?

For information about this event please contact the Official Website, Nasu-Karasuyama City, or the Tourist Association directly.

Tel: +81 0287-83-1115  / +81 0287-84-1977

Email: Contact Form (External Link)

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