Kagura Monzen Tojimura

In short

Kagura Monzen Tojimura is a village in Midori-cho, Akitakata City, designed for enjoying kagura (traditional Shinto theatrical dance) and hot springs. In 1995, the "Kagura Dome" was built for watching kagura performances, and because hot spring water happened to gush forth during its construction, a tojimura (hot spring therapeutic retreat village) complete with onsen, dining, and lodging facilities was also created.

• ​Kagura Dome​​: A dome dedicated to kagura, the size of 1,000 tatami mats, where visitors can enjoy colorful performances at regular weekend shows and kagura competitions regardless of the weather
• ​Kagura Museum and Kamukuraza​​: Costumes and masks actually used in kagura are on display, and at "Kamukuraza," a theater within the facility reminiscent of a traditional vaudeville playhouse, visitors can watch evening kagura performances on weekend nights
• ​Iwatoya Hot Spring​​: A natural radon hot spring, with a legend that it was a spring connected to the "Ama-no-Iwato" myth

History and Highlights

​Kagura Monzen Tojimura​ is a village in Midori-cho, Akitakata City, designed for enjoying kagura (traditional Shinto theatrical dance) and hot springs. In 1995, at the suggestion of the town mayor at the time, the "Kagura Dome" was built as a dedicated facility for watching kagura performances. During its construction, hot spring water happened to gush forth, leading to the creation of a tojimura (hot spring therapeutic retreat village) complete with onsen, dining, and lodging facilities.

The village has a somewhat nostalgic, retro atmosphere, and visitors can enjoy strolling around to explore traditional-style inn buildings and shops selling Japanese sweets and old-fashioned snacks.

Akitakata's kagura is believed to have been transmitted to this region in the Edo period from the Izumo-style kagura of Shimane Prefecture via Iwami Kagura. It is characterized by strong theatricality, a popular appeal, and a lively, relaxed style. Another feature is the coexistence of "kyumai" (old dance), which has been handed down from roughly before the Pacific War, and "shinmai" (new dance), created after the war. Shinmai refers to new kagura works created successively from 1947 by Sasaki Junzo, who lived in Midori-cho, and incorporates fast tempos, lavish costumes, and quick costume changes.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Kagura Dome​​: The centerpiece of the retreat village, this dedicated dome for viewing kagura has a spacious interior roughly the size of 1,000 tatami mats. Regardless of the weather, visitors can enjoy colorful performances at regular weekend shows and kagura competitions. Tatami box seating is also available.
• ​Kagura Museum and Kamukuraza​​: At the Kagura Museum, costumes and masks actually used in kagura are on display, allowing visitors to learn about the history and traditions of the art form. The "Kamukuraza" within the facility is a theater reminiscent of a traditional vaudeville playhouse, where visitors can watch evening kagura performances on weekend nights.
• ​Iwatoya Hot Spring​​: This natural radon hot spring pumps water directly from a source where an ancient bathing site is said to have once existed. Legend has it that the spring is connected to the "Ama-no-Iwato" myth, and the stones of the open-air bath were all assembled using rocks sourced from the surrounding mountains.

Strolling Tips

Kagura is considered an openhearted, accommodating performing art, where no one will frown on you for eating and drinking in your seat while watching. Explanations of the programs are provided, making it easy to enjoy even for first-time visitors. The village also has restaurants where guests can savor gibier cuisine made with wild boar or deer meat, as well as the local specialty, Yasha Udon, served with kagura five-color noodles. By car, it is about 10 minutes from the Takata Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway. From the Hiroshima Bus Center, it takes about 80 minutes by highway bus bound for Miyoshi and Shobara, and a free shuttle bus operates from the "Kosoku Midori" bus stop (operating schedule applies). Yoshida-Koriyama Castle, formerly the residence of the Mori clan, is located approximately 9 kilometers to the southeast.