{"id":76575,"date":"2006-11-01T00:00:16","date_gmt":"2006-11-01T00:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fukuoka-now.com?post_type=feature&p=9002"},"modified":"2017-06-13T13:00:40","modified_gmt":"2017-06-13T04:00:40","slug":"takachiho-yokagura","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/takachiho-yokagura\/","title":{"rendered":"Takachiho Yokagura"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saturated with the myths of old Japan, Takachiho is home to the settings of many famous stories, such as the cave in which the sun goddess Amaterasu hid herself away, and the great rock where the gods cast out demons that threatened the world. Takachiho is also well known for its yokagura, ancient dance rituals performed throughout the night during the winter months. History claims that this tradition began over 800 years ago, and the dances have been passed down through generations in all the villages in the area. Each village offers variations on costumes and the schedule and order of the dances, but all of them are known as “Takachiho yokagura.”<\/p>\n

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Performances usually take place in a private home or village meeting house which is chosen to be that year’s yokagura hall, and is declared a holy place where the gods will gather to spend the night. Being selected is a great honor for the owner of the house and is much sought after by the village residents. The event is preceded by local people sprinkling sake and scattering rice around the yokagura hall as an offering to the gods.<\/p>\n

Dancing the Night Away
\n<\/strong>The yokagura begins with the dancers, known as hoshadon, performing the traditional dedication of the festival to the gods. Dressed in costumes and masks that have been passed down for hundreds of years, they call out to the heavens, asking for a good harvest and good fortune, giving thanks for their protection, and reviving the old legends of the village. Yokagura is an important religious ceremony, but it is also a spectacularly entertaining cultural experience. In the bells and tambourines of the hoshadon dancers can be heard the stories of ancient Japan, as told in “Kojiki” and “Nihon-shoki,” Japan’s two oldest written works. There are several high points in this all-night event, and one is the goshintai dance, which starts exactly at midnight and continues until about 2 a.m. The most famous scene features the god Izanagi and his goddess Izanami, the creators of Japan and the Japanese people, involving the audience to depict the love of a man and a woman. The bolder the performance, the wilder the applause and cheers! Another highlight is the performance of perhaps the most well-known story of all, the tale of “Ama-no-Iwato,” in which the sun goddess Amaterasu has hidden herself away in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. In this tale, the goddess Uzume performs a dance that captures Amaterasu’s interest and causes her to open the door to the cave. She is immediately pulled out by Uzume and the gods Tajikarao and Totori, and the world is once more bathed in light \uff0d a great relief for mankind! Uzume’s captivating dance is the origin of the yokagura tradition, and the famous cave itself is not far from Takachiho Shrine.<\/p>\n

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Although it’s possible to watch only a part of the yokagura, tradition really demands that you stay the night and enjoy the whole show. It can seem unexciting at first, and the night can get cold, so you’ll have to really bundle up to be able to last all night. But prepare properly and before you know it, you’ll find yourself caught up in the excitement with your neighbors, and when you’re engulfed by the wonderful feeling of unity that sweeps over everyone in the hall at the conclusion of the thirty-third and final dance, you’ll be overjoyed that you partook in the true yokagura experience.<\/p>\n

Yokagura Schedule<\/strong>
\nArea (shrine name)
\nAll dances run from 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. the next morning.
\nNov. 18 \/ Oshikata (Nakahata), 22 \/ Kamino (Yunokino), Kamino (Kamino), Simono (Hachiman), 24 \/ Kamino (Kurokuchi), 25 \/ Oshikata (Shibahara), Iwato (Goryo), Mukoyama (Akimoto)
\nDec. 1 \/ Oshikata (Futagami), 2 \/ Iwato (Toshi), Mitai (Aisome Tenjin), 9 \/ Oshikata (Takemiya), Iwato (Ishigami), 16 \/ Mitai (Iwashitagongen)
\nJan. 13 \/ Kawachi (Kumano Narutaki), 20 \/ Mukoyama (Yamanaka), Shimotabaru (Kumano), 27 \/ Mukoyama (Sugenotaki)
\nFeb. 10 \/ Kamitabaru (Kumano)<\/p>\n

Takachiho Shrine<\/strong>
\nFor those who can’t make it to the all-night yokagura, there’s still an opportunity to get a glimpse of the experience. Dances are performed every day of the year at Takachiho Shrine between 8 and 9 p.m., and you can see excerpts from three or four of the thirty-three dances performed by members of the yokagura Preservation Society.<\/p>\n

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Takachiho Shrine, Mitai 1037, Takachiho-cho
\n0982-72-2413
\nEntrance free. Watching the dances costs 500.
\n15 min. walk from Takachiho Stn.<\/p>\n

A Miracle of Nature: Takachiho Gorge
\n<\/strong>Takachiho Gorge was formed approximately 100,000 years ago by a double volcanic eruption that sent lava surging along the course of the Gokase River. Rapid cooling left fantastic rock shapes, which have been further sculpted during the gradual erosion of the gorge over thousands of years. Known also as the Gokase Valley, it is a scene of breathtaking beauty – immense cliffs break through thickly-forested slopes, and at this time of year the trees seem to burst into flame as they take on their fall colors. People come from all over Japan to experience the striking contrast of the blue water and the brilliant red leaves. The area is a place of great beauty as well as a natural treasure – it has been designated as Mount Sobo National Park.<\/p>\n

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The only way to get close to the amazing sculpted cliffs in the gorge is to take a boat upriver to the magnificent Manai Waterfall, a thrilling experience. The river’s current is not strong, so even first-time boaters will find it easy enough to make the trip. A nature trail runs around the gorge area and there are a number of other sights to see, such as fish ponds and freshwater aquariums.<\/p>\n

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No trip to Takachiho is complete without a boat ride through the gorge. Go now, in Autumn, and enjoy the brilliantly colored leaves<\/p>\n

Takachiho Gorge
\nTakachiho-cho, Mitai, Oshioi
\nPleasure Boating:
\n0982-73-1213 (Takachiho Tourist Information)
\n08:30 \uff5e 16:20 every day
\n1 boat (holds 3) \uff0d 1500 yen for 30 min.
\n5 min. by car from Takachiho Stn.<\/p>\n

SOUVENIRS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kagura Senbei<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n350 yen (pack of four)
\nThese tasty rice cakes have images from the yokagura dances baked into them. There are two sorts, Uzume and Tajikarao, and their large size and the pictures on their faces make them quite different from other senbei. Their slightly sweet flavour, satisfying crunch and unique patterns are popular not only with tourists but also with the locals.
\nShinwado
\nMitai 106, Takachiho-cho
\n0982-72-2345
\n08:00 \uff5e 20:00
\nClosed: 1st and 3rd Sun. every month
\nAccess: 10 min. walk from Takachiho Stn.<\/p>\n

Takachiho Beef Curry<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n525 yen
\nTakachiho may not be known for its beef, but if you’ve come all this way you should definitely try it out, preferably in the form of Takachiho Beef Curry, which is full of chunky meat and veg \uff0d good solid stuff like carrots and potatoes. Since its debut onto the market in the spring of this year, the new taste of Takachiho curry has really caught on.
\nShinto Kanko
\nMitai 1444-1, Takachiho-cho
\n0982-72-3345
\n09:00 \uff5e 17:00
\nClosed: Sun.
\nAccess: Sold at Young Echo (Shinto Kanko 2F) in front of Takachiho Stn., and Michinoeki Takachiho.<\/p>\n

Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture: Ancient Myths and Natural Wonders<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>From all-night dances to miracles of nature, this quiet town, home to one of Japan’s most famous myths, is definitely worth a visit
\nNovember 18 \uff5e February 10<\/p>\n

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Access<\/strong>
\nCar
\n3 hours, 3,050 yen
\nDazaifu-shi Interchange \uff0d Kyushu Jidosha-do (90 min. \/ 3,050 yen) \uff0d Matsubase \uff0d National Route 218 (120 min.) \uff0d Takachiho<\/p>\n

Train
\n4 hours, 6,410
\nJR Hakata Stn. \uff0d JR Kagoshima Main Line (90 min. \/ 3,940 yen) \uff0d Kumamoto Stn. \uff0d JR Hohi Main Line (50 min. \/ 720 yen) \uff0d Tateno Stn. \uff0d Minami-aso Railway (30 min. \/ 470 yen) OR by open air train* (55 min. \/ 670 yen) \uff0d Takamori Stn.
\nTRANSFER TO BUS
\nTakamori Town Center \uff0d Kyushu Sanko Bus, heading for Nobeoka (70 min. \/ 1,280 yen, three per day) – Takachiho
\n* The open air trains run only on Sat., Sun., and Hol. between April 1 and November 18.<\/p>\n

Bus
\nTotal travel time\/cost: 3 hours 11 minutes, 3,910 yen
\nMiyazaki Transport “Express Gokase Bus” – Board at Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus Stn. and get off at Takachiho.<\/p>\n

More Information (Japanese Only)<\/strong>
\nTakachiho Commerce and Tourism Department
\n0982-73-1212
\nTakachiho Tourism Association
\n0982-73-1213
\n08:30 \uff5e 17:30
\nTakachiho Tourist Information Center (inside Takachiho Station)
\n0982-72-4680
\n09:30 \uff5e 17:00<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Originally published in Fukuoka Now magazine (fn95 Nov. 2006<\/a>)<\/strong><\/div>\n

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