Takachiho, birthplace of Japanese mythology, offers one of Kyushu's most immersive cultural experiences. By day, visitors row boats through the spectacular basalt gorge to view Manai Falls cascading into jade-green pools. By night from November through February, the community performs Yokagura—33 ancient Shinto dances depicting stories from the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki—through the entire night in shrine buildings heated by open fires, a practice maintained for over 800 years.
- Type
- Experience
- Category
- Culture
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- November to February
- Region
- Kyushu
- Prefecture
- Miyazaki
- City
- Takachiho
Highlights
- ◆Rowboat tours through the dramatic basalt Takachiho Gorge
- ◆All-night Yokagura sacred dance performances (Nov–Feb)
- ◆33 mythological dances from the Kojiki performed by firelight
- ◆Takachiho Shrine rituals tied to Japan's creation mythology
- ◆Condensed public Yokagura performances available nightly year-round