The origins and start of Kuromori Kagura's touring are unknown, but documents from the Morioka Domain and local historical records confirm that the current touring range has been maintained for over 300 years
KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO, a resort hotel located in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, in the central part of the Sanriku Coast, is offering a special accommodation plan featuring a Kuromori Kagura viewing session. This comes as the New Year touring of Kuromori Kagura, a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, resumes for the first time in two years. A special performance of Kuromori Kagura will be held at the hotel starting February 14, allowing guests to experience this historic ritual dance up close.
The touring of Kuromori Kagura, based at Kuromori Shrine in Miyako City, has been passed down for over 300 years and is characterized by powerful, dynamic dances connected to the region's livelihoods.
Kuromori Kagura New Year Tour
During the New Year season, Kuromori Kagura performers carry the "Gongen-sama" (lion head) containing the sacred spirit of Kuromori Shrine and tour villages along the Iwate coast. At each household's garden, they perform the "Gongen-mai" (lion dance) to pray for exorcism, fire prevention, and household safety.
In the evening, they set up kagura curtains in the sitting room of their host household and perform kagura, entertaining people with ritual dances praying for bountiful harvests, abundant fishing, and world peace while bestowing blessings.
This touring has been conducted since the early Edo period, alternating annually between a "northern route" from Kuromori Shrine toward Kuji City and a "southern route" toward Kamaishi City. Such extensive, long-term touring of kagura is rare nationwide, and because these precious customs continue to this day, it has been designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
A Special Experience: Ritual Dances Up Close at the Hotel
At the special performance at KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO, preservation society members (ranging from their 20s to 70s) wear traditional costumes and masks as "dancers," performing each program energetically for four hours to the accompaniment of flutes, drums, and bells. At the end, have the lion bite your head to pray for good health and bountiful harvests for the year.
The overwhelmingly powerful "Yama no Kami Mai" (Mountain God Dance). The figure dancing with a fan and sword feels both fierce and divine.
"Ebisu" is the god of fishing who promises the venue's safety and abundant catches. This performance is particularly popular in coastal areas.
"Yamata no Orochi Taiji" (Slaying of the Eight-headed Serpent) entertains the audience with a dramatic morality tale.
In "Matsu-mukae," dancers perform a celebratory dance for the New Year. The highlight is the perfectly synchronized dance of the two performers.
Kuromori Kagura New Year Tour 2026 – Kagura x Accommodation Special Performance
Experience the traditional performing art where Miyako's mountain god descends.
Date: February 14, 2026 (Saturday)
Venue: KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO 2F Rias Hall
Schedule:
- 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM (Opening Ceremony)
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Lunch)
Provided for day-trip and accommodation plan guests - 1:00 PM to 3:45 PM (Kagura Performance)
- 3:45 PM to 4:00 PM (Closing Ceremony)
Inquiries: KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO 0193-62-9911
The close proximity between dancers and audience is unique to the Kagura x Accommodation special performance
KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property "Kuromori Kagura" Viewing Session Accommodation Plan / Day-Trip Plan
Special accommodation and day-trip plans are available to enjoy the Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property Kuromori Kagura viewing session. Accommodation plans offer options for 1 night 2 days or 2 nights 3 days.
1 Night 2 Days Accommodation
Dates: February 13 (Friday) to February 14 (Saturday), 2026 – 1 night 2 days
Price: 1 night 3 meals included – from ¥17,800 (tax included)
*Per adult in a Japanese-style room for 2 people
*Performance viewing after checkout
Plan Details & Reservations:
https://www.qkamura.or.jp/qkamura/489/menu.asp?id=miyako&ty=lim&plan=1329
Dates: February 14 (Saturday) to February 15 (Sunday), 2026 – 1 night 2 days
Price: 1 night 3 meals included – from ¥19,800 (tax included)
*Per adult in a Japanese-style room for 2 people
*Performance begins at 11:00 AM on February 14. Please arrive 10 minutes before.
Plan Details & Reservations:
https://www.qkamura.or.jp/qkamura/489/menu.asp?id=miyako&ty=lim&plan=1330
2 Nights 3 Days Accommodation
Dates: February 13 (Friday) to February 15 (Sunday), 2026 – 2 nights 3 days
Price: 2 nights 5 meals included – from ¥31,800 (tax included)
*Per adult in a Japanese-style room for 2 people
*Performance viewing on the second day at 11:00 AM
Plan Details & Reservations:
https://www.qkamura.or.jp/qkamura/489/menu.asp?id=miyako&ty=lim&plan=1328
Day-Trip Plan
Date: February 14, 2026 (Saturday)
Price: ¥3,300 (tax included, lunch included)
Time: Performance begins at 11:00 AM. Please arrive 10 minutes before.
Capacity: 80 people
Reservations: KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO 0193-62-9911
About KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO
Located in the central part of the Rikuchu Coast, KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO offers scenic spots along the coastline overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean and serves as a convenient base for sightseeing in the Sanriku area, Tono, and Hiraizumi. From the observation deck on the walking trail within the grounds, you can view the sunrise at Miyako City, the easternmost point of Honshu.
Dinner and breakfast are served buffet-style, allowing you to enjoy Sanriku's "seafood" and "mountain delicacies" to your heart's content. The popular local gourmet "Bin-don" (bottle seafood bowl), featuring seafood packed into a half-sized milk bottle that you pour generously over rice, is served at breakfast.
Guest room (Western-style)
Breakfast scene
"Bin-don," a Miyako specialty experiential gourmet dish inspired by "bottled sea urchin." Enjoy this local bowl by pouring seafood packed in a bottle over your rice.
About 15 minutes by car from KYUKAMURA. A nationally famous scenic spot with a beautiful sunrise between pointed rocks.
