What is Hinoemata Village, a hidden village where the locals pass on the art of Kabuki? [Fukushima Prefecture]

Hinoemata Villageis a mountain village located in the southwesternmost part of Fukushima Prefecture, bordering Gunma, Tochigi, and Niigata Prefectures. It covers an area of ​​approximately 340 square kilometers, with 98% of its land being forest. With a population of about 550 (as of January 2020), it boasts the lowest population density in Japan. The Hinoemata Village Office is situated at an altitude of approximately 939 meters, and in winter, it experiences heavy snowfall of up to 3 meters, making itthe most secluded and remote area in Fukushima Prefectureconsidered

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Hinoemata is the northern gateway to Oze

Hinoemata Village isOze National Parka popular starting point for hikers and tourists as it serves as the northern gateway toMount Hiuchigatake (2,356m)such as Ozenuma Lake, Ozegahara Marsh, and Oze Marsh, spread across an altitude of 1,400m to 1,600mencompassing areas.

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Hiking course from Hinoemata Village to Oze

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Lake Ozenuma Course

[Hinoemata Village - Nanairi (private cars only up to this point, parking available) → (bus available from Hinoemata Village/Miike to Numayama Pass) → Numayama Pass → Lake Oze] From Numayama Pass to Lake Oze, it is about 6.5km through the Oe Marsh, a course that takes about 2 hours to walk and is suitable for beginners

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Ozegahara Course

[Hieda Village → Oike (private cars only up to here, parking available) → Urahiuchi Forest Road (Oike Tashiro, Hime Tashiro, Kamidashiro, Tenjin Tashiro, Usagi Tashiro) → Hot Spring Hut] Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes on foot, 4 hours 20 minutes if you stop by Sanjo Falls

[Onsen hut → Miharashi → Ryugu/Ushikubi (crossing Ozegahara) → Yamanohana] Approx. 40 minutes on foot

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There are several courses available, but alltrekking courses lasting two days or more. Wear appropriate clothing and equipment for bad weather, and stay overnight in mountain huts.

Hiedama Village is also a base for climbing 2,000m-class peaks such as Mt. Hiuchigatake and the surrounding mountains of Aizu-Komagatake (2,133m), Mt. Hiragatake (2,141m), and Mt. Shibutsu (2,228m)

Oze Hinoemata Onsen Tourism Association <Information>

• Name: Oze Hinoemata Onsen Tourism Association
• Address: 1155-1 Mitori, Hinoemata Village, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0241-75-2432
• URL:Oze Hinoemata Onsen Tourism Association

Google Map

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Hinoemata Village's greatest asset is undoubtedly its abundant nature, represented by Oze, but this small village is also home to a folk performing art called "Hinoemata Kabuki," which has been performed by the villagers since the Edo period and is still cherished and preserved today

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Hiedagata, where the noble family who lost the war settled

in Hinoemata VillageThe discovery of numerous Jomon pottery fragmentssuggests that people have lived there for quite some time. Records indicate that in 794, during the early Heian period, a man named Fujiwara no Kaneharu (pronunciation unknown) moved to the village from Kii Province (present-day Wakayama Prefecture). Kaneharu was from Hoshi no Sato (an ancient place name) in Muro District, in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula, and thus adopted the surname "Hoshi" (star). Even today, "Hoshi" is the most common surname in Hinoemata Village, accounting for about 40% of the population.

There is a legend that Hinoemata village was settled by refugees from the Heike clan, and that the Tachibana clan, who were annihilated by Oda Nobunaga, took refuge there. As if to prove this legend, there are many surnames derived from the Taira clan, such as "Hirano" (just under 40%) and "Tachibana" (just over 10%), and when "Hoshi" is added, these three surnames make up an astonishing 90% of the total

Of the four surnames that were considered prestigious for the nobility during the Heian period - Fujiwara, Taira, Minamoto, and Tachibana - it is said to be extremely rare that there are three surnames that are all related to Fujiwara, Taira, and Tachibana

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During the Edo period, it developed as a distribution hub on the old Numata Kaido road

Hinoemata is a remote mountain town, often used as a hiding place for refugees, but from the Edo period to the early Meiji era, itthe old Numata Road (Aizu Road). The old Numata Road crossed the Numayama Pass from the Aizu side and led from the shores of Ozenuma Lake to Numata in Kozuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture). It was called the Numata Road from the Hinoemata side and the Aizu Road from the Numata side, and it overlaps with the current walking trail to Ozenuma Lake.

The old Numata Kaido road was used to transport mainly rice and sake from the Aizu side, and salt and oil from the Numata side. Because it was a mountainous road, trading huts were set up on the shores of Lake Oze to exchange goods. Hinoemata, located at the foot of Oze, served as a collection point on the Aizu side

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Edo Kabuki brought to life by villagers on pilgrimages to Ise Shrine

In the Edo period, Hinoemata was a relatively prosperous town, and pilgrimages to Ise Shrine were popular. In the late Edo period, a villager who went on a pilgrimage to Ise Shrine was deeply moved by a kabuki performance he saw in Edo (present-day Tokyo) along the way, and told his villagers about it upon his return. This"Hinoemata Kabuki."

Although Hiedagata Kabuki began as a form of imitation, its appeal spread to the villages of Aizu, and it became so popular that it is said that each village had a troupe. As each troupe competed with each other, it evolved into a form closer to authentic Edo Kabuki

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"Hinoemata Kabuki" is performed three times a year on the "Hinoemata Stage"

"Hinoemata Kabuki" is performed on the "Hinoemata Stage" every year on May 12th, August 18th, and the first Saturday of September

Currently, there is only one Hiedamata Kabuki troupe in Hiedamata Village, and all the actors and backstage staff are villagers who have other jobs and are carrying on the tradition. Despite the fact that there are no professional actors, the skilled acting goes far beyond the realm of "country theater."

The "Hinoemata Kabuki" is performedthe "Chiba no Ie Hanakoma-za" troupe, which consists of about 30 members, led by the 11th generation troupe leader, Shoji Hoshi. Performancesthe "Hinoemata Stage"are held three times a year at

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The venue is a shrine forest with no roof except for the stage

The "Hinoemata Stage" isa stage located within the grounds of the guardian shrine of Hinoemata. The original stage was destroyed by fire in 1893 (Meiji 26), and it was rebuilt in its original form around 1897 (Meiji 30). The stage has a roof, but the audience seating area does not.

The Hiedama Stage is designated as an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, and Hiedama Kabuki is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukushima Prefecture

"Hinoemata Kabuki" will be performed even in rainy weather if possible. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The venue can accommodate approximately 1,200 people

Hinoemata Kabuki <Information>

• Facility name: Hinoemata Stage
• Address: 679 Idaira, Hinoemata Village, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0241-75-2342 (Hinoemata Village Board of Education)
• Date:
  • May 12th / Kabuki performance dedicated to the Atago Shrine Festival
  • August 18th / Kabuki performance dedicated to the guardian deity
  • First Saturday of September / Kabuki Evening
• Opening times: Doors open at 18:00, performance begins at 19:00
• Admission fee:
  • Free on May 12th and August 18th
  • 1,000 yen on the first Saturday of September (free for guests staying overnight in the village)
  • *The number of performances may vary depending on the year

Google Map

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Kabuki tradition museum "Chiba no Ie" exhibits materials related to "Hinoemata Kabuki"

The Kabuki Tradition Museum "Chiba no Ie"is a museum dedicated to "Hinoemata Kabuki," and displays various materials related to "Hinoemata Kabuki," which has been passed down for 270 years.

Kabuki Tradition Museum "Chiba no Ie" ＜Information＞

• Facility name: Kabuki Tradition Museum "Chiba no Ie"
• Address: 664 Iidaira, Hinoemata Village, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0241-75-2342 (Hinoemata Village Board of Education)
• Opening period: Early May to early November
• Opening hours:
  • Weekdays and Saturdays: 9:00-16:00
  • Sundays and holidays: 8:00-17:00
• Admission fee: Free
• Guide: Generally unmanned on weekdays. A manager is on duty on weekends, holidays, and when Kabuki is performed on stage

Google Map

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