Nakayama Rural Kabuki

About

Each year in mid-October, the people of Nakayama on Shodoshima perform kabuki as an offering at Kasuga Shrine, handling everything themselves – acting, makeup, costumes and stage building. The thatched-roof stage is a national Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property, and with Hitoyama's performances it forms Shodoshima rural kabuki, a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The tradition is said to go back about 300 years to the mid-Edo period, when islanders travelling to Ise were held up in Osaka by bad weather and fell for the dazzle of Kamigata kabuki, bringing home votive pictures of famous scenes and costumes to offer at their shrine. Kabuki fever spread across the island, travelling troupes and choreographers were invited from the Kamigata region, and eventually islanders took to the stage themselves. Admission is free.

Sources

• OfficialShodoshima Tourism Association shodoshima.or.jp
• OfficialKagawa Prefecture Tourism Association (Udon-ken Tabi-net) www.my-kagawa.jp

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.

Other events this month

• Shirotori Shrine Autumn Festival
• Sanuki Toyohama Chosa Festival
• Kotohiragu Grand Annual Festival
• Kotohiki Hachimangu Grand Festival
• Takamatsu Autumn Festival: Busshozan Daimyo Procession
• Shishitachi no Sato Miki Mandegan Festival
• Utazu Autumn Festival