Apr 9
~
Apr 17

Nagahama Hikiyama Festival

Free

Taking place in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, the Hikiyama Festival is named for the wheeled festival floats which are pulled along at many traditional festivals. However, the festival is known for kodomo kabuki — children’s kabuki.

What happens?

In the case of the Hikiyama Festival, the floats are portable stages on which young boys perform kabuki plays. As in the adult version of kabuki, both male and female roles are played by men — or boys in this case. The biggest day will be April 15.

How to get there

The floats and procession will take place within walking distance of Nagahama Station. Nagahama is only 10 minutes from Maibara Station (a Shinkansen station) via the Hokuriku Line train. The whole journey takes less than an hour from Nagoya and Kyoto.

Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

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