The “Yokagura”, a theatrical Shinto dance, occurs throughout Miyazaki prefecture. The 33 parts of the Yokagura are usually danced beginning at sunset and continues till dawn. The most famous of the Yokagura is the Takachiho Yokagura, and its 33 parts tell the story of the Ama-no-Iwato* myth through dance. The Takachiho Yokagura is danced throughout the night on weekends in Takachiho from mid-November till the end of January. The Ama-no-Iwato 33 Part Yokagura Opening Festival is held at the Amano-iwato-jinja Shrine. Furthermore, visitors can visit the Takachiho-jinja Shrine where a Kagura Preservation Museum is located on the shrine’s grounds when the Yokagura is not being held. The museum is open every night from 8 P.M. - 9 P.M. and there is a fee to enter.


*Ama-no-Iwato literally means ”the cave of the sun god” or ”heavenly rock cave”. In Japanese mythology, Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, became so outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks that she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out and depriving the world of her life-giving light.