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'
DATES
2024 : 26nd July (Fri) to 28th July (Sun) *The Fourth weekend of July
*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)
Cost
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
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
- 2h 10min from Tokyo by train.
- 2h 50min drive from Tokyo by car
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.
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)
Official Website (2022):Japanese Website (External Link)
Official Website: Japanese Website (External Link)
Other Websites :Nasu-Karasuyama Tourist Association Website (External Link, Japanese)
