Things to do in Kuki – Nearby Tokyo Interview
Nearby Tokyo talks to Kuki city’s local tourist office about things to do in the area, including their famous lantern festival as well as their Iris, lavender and cosmos flowers.
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'
Last updated by Angus M
on September 2, 2024
The organizers have confirmed that this event is GOING ahead.
DATE
2024
: 26nd July (Fri) to 28th July (Sun) *The Fourth weekend of July
Days
Hours
Min
Sec
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2024-06-12
TIME & 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)
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2024-06-12
COST
FREE
*Information last checked on 2024-06-12
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
- Getting to the Yamaage Festival
- Train times to Yamaage Festival
- How to plan your day
- The different shows to watch
- 3 Pro tips
(Article)
Visiting Nasu-Karasuyama and its Kabuki Festival
- Traveling to Yamaage Festival
- The history of Yamaage Festival
- The full Nasu-Karasuyama Experience
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
- Culture
- Visit Yamaage Kaikan
- Visit Washi Kaikan
- Visit Shimazaki Brewery
- Active
- Walking around town
- Visit Ryumon Falls
- Food / Drink
- Festival Food Stalls
- Sob & Japanese restaurants
- Western style family restaurants
Shimazaki Sake Brewery
Known as the ‘Cave Brewery’, we are a family-run sake brewery that produces award-winning aged sake. Come and visit the cave on our open-days or book a special tasting tour by our brewery owner.
'Nasu-Karasuyama City'
(learn more about this area)
Nasu-Karasuyama City is a small city in Tochigi prefecture known for the Yamaage festival, Ryumon Falls, Washi paper and its award-winning cave sake brewery.
Places to EAT in Nasu-Karasuyama City
Places to STAY in Nasu-Karasuyama City
Hotels (Western Style)
There are not many Western Style Hotels in Nasu-Karasuyama. Best thing would be to book a Hotel room in close by Utsunomiya city and take the train to the festival in the morning.
Glamping & Camping
There are a few camping sites nearby the city.
Access (How to get to Yamaage Festival)
How to get there
Public Transport
2h 10min from Tokyo by train
Car
2h 50min drive from Tokyo by car
Location & Address
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)
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
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.
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Utsunomiya IC on Tohoku Expressway
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 first 1,000 cars)
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Contact Details (Event Organizer)
For information about this event, please contact the Nasu-Karasuyama Tourist Association directly.
Tel: +81 (0)287-84-1977
Websites
Official Website: Japanese Website (External Link)
Official Website: Japanese Website (External Link)
Disclaimer: NearbyTokyo.com strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information by researching and contacting event organizers. All information on the page is provided in good faith. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, or availability of any information found here. Readers are encouraged to verify any information with official sources.
