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'
DATE
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)
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
- 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
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
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)
Official Website: Japanese Website (External Link)
Official Website: Japanese Website (External Link)
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