Dainichido Bugaku, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage with a history of approximately 1,300 years | On-site report on the 2026 dedication ceremony

Ohirumemuchi Shrine is located in the Hachimantai district of Kazuno City, in the northeast of Akita Prefecture, bordering Aomori and Iwate prefectures .

Every year on January 2nd, a performance of Dainichido Bugaku, is dedicated here. Dainichido Bugaku is a nationally designated important intangible cultural property and a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

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Dainichi Hall Bugaku on January 2, 2026

On January 2, 2026, I visited Kazuno City to see the Dainichido Bugaku dance

On the previous day, January 1st, there was heavy snowfall across a wide area of ​​the Tohoku region. There was so much snow that it even piled up on the highway, and considering that the Bugaku performance was to be held early in the morning, I definitely would not have been able to make it if I hadn't chosen to leave earlier

As expected, when I arrived at the site, I was greeted by a silvery world that allowed me to experience the snowy country to the fullest

Arrive at the venue at 6:00 AM on the day

We left the inn at 5:30 AM and arrived at the destination around 6:00 AM. The parking lot in front of JR Hachimantai Station on the Hanawa Line only had space for about 20-30 cars, and it seemed like the number of cars that could be parked was even more limited due to the snow

It fills up before 7am, so if you plan to visit, it's best to use the shuttle bus that departs from the Kazuno Antler Roadside Station

At this point, there was still some time before the event started, so I decided to take a look around the area

It was 6:30 AM, and the shrine was still silent. It was quite cold, but the crisp air on a snowy, windless morning was quite pleasant

The snowfall observed in Kazuno City from January 1st to 2nd was about 50cm. The festival stalls were barely able to avoid being buried

The exterior of Dainichiryouki Shrine. Everything is covered in snow

When we entered the shrine, we saw that there were already a few people there to pray. In a few hours, the place would be filled with people

We still had plenty of time, so we planned to go back to the car and wait there, but since we were there, we decided to take a little walk around the area in front of Hachimantai Station

The Hachimantai Station building is quite compact and cute. The shuttle bus from the Kazuno Antra Roadside Station stops here

The small prefabricated building on the right is a public toilet, which is useful when waiting for your car

The view across the tracks from right next to JR Hanawa Line's Hachimantai Station. Thick snow clouds obscure the mountain ridges in a pure white world of silver. It's a landscape of nothing but white

I later learned that the average temperature in Kazuno at this time of day was -7°C. As the sun began to rise, I suddenly noticed a sparkling light in the air, and wondered if it was the diamond dust I'd heard about. It was so cold that I had an experience like that

At 8:00 AM, Dainichido Bugaku begins

After that, we waited for a while and then went back to the site

I waited inside the shrine to reserve a spot for the main dance, but the purification ritual begun outside. A little while later, when I looked outside, the Jizo Dance was in the middle of being performed.

The Gongen dances in front of the Jizo statue, and Noh performers from all four villages watch. Afterwards, the ceremony continues solemnly outside the shrine, and after a while, the powder pressing (momioshi) begins inside.

The young men of Azusawa village slowly appear from behind the shrine. You will be overwhelmed by the loud shouts of "Yonyarayaye" and "Soryansae."

the powder pressing , the music of Gojoraku, accompanied by flutes and drums, begins on the central stage , and some of the young men who have finished pressing the powder go up to the second floor to begin preparations for the Hataage (flag raising)

the Gojogaku music increases, Noh performers from each village rush into the shrine carrying dragon god banners and throw them at the young performers waiting on the second floor.

With the rapid sounds of flutes, the rapid beating of drums, the spirited shouts, and the banners being thrown and thrown around, the atmosphere clearly rises to a new level. This act can be said to be the highlight of the first half of Dainichido Bugaku

Once each village's dragon god banner has been safely lowered from the parapet, preparations are finally complete for the main dance offering

Next, the Mikomai and Kanatemai dances are offered in order as offerings to the gods of heaven and earth. Then, rice is scattered in the Daishogyo-ji ceremony and the chief priest recites a prayer for the Yoro Festival in the Shuho ceremony

It's now just after 9:00 AM. When I go outside, the sun has risen and fog has begun to form around me. The ground and sky are completely white with the falling snow and fog. However, when I look up, I see a clear blue sky with bright sunlight streaming in, creating a fantastical atmosphere

9:40 AM ~ Dainichido Bugaku | The main dance begins

When we returned to the shrine, the main dance offering had already begun, starting with the Gongenmai dance . The Noh performers and Gongen were all dressed in colorful attire. I was curious as to what the origin of this was.

the Komamai dance, performed by two Noh performers from Osato . The dancers, dancing while shaking the horse (koma) heads attached to their chests, give the impression of people riding horses.

By the way, this horse head is also considered a sacred object, and it is said that anyone who wears it will become as brave as the Arakoma... Since it is a sacred object, perhaps a god can possess it

While Bugaku is being performed inside the hall, worshippers for their first visit of the year continue to arrive outside one after another. By this time, the shrine is bustling with people both inside and outside

Uhenmai, also known by various names such as "Obemai," "Somatori no Mai," and "Tomb-building Dance," is said to represent the funeral ceremony that took place when Princess Kissho, the daughter of Danburi Choja and his wife, passed away, and exudes a solemn atmosphere.

Apparently at the end of the dance, they scatter amulets that are said to bring good luck, but I didn't notice this at all on the day..

The Torimai (bird dance) is said to depict the playing of the chickens kept by Danburi Choja . Three dancers represent a rooster, a hen, and a baby chicken, and only the male dances with a bell in his left hand.

During the offering, the chief priest was offering prayers at the altar in the back

the Godaisonmai , which depicts the Danburi Choja couple and their four retainers transformed into Dainichi Nyorai and the Four Great Wisdom Kings, respectively .

This dance, performed with impressive masks, is said to be the most popular among spectators

This is the male deity, Vajrayana Vairocana , who is said to be an incarnation of Danburi Choja himself.

This is the goddess Taizokai Dainichi Nyorai . She is said to be the incarnation of the wife of Danburi Choja. The red accents of her lipstick and headwear are distinctive.

is said to be a dance of artisans who are carving the sacred object of Dainichirōki -no-kami . Of all the dances, this is the only one that seems to depict events that occurred after the legend of Danburi Choja.

The final offering is the Dengakumai dance , performed by six Noh performers from Azusawa.

This dance depicts the agricultural scene, and although it is difficult to see in the photo, the small drum held by the person in the back right the "Tengu drum ," and is said to have been named after the legend that the small drum was given to the dancer by a Tengu (long-nosed goblin) long ago.

Does the pre-ceremony ritual in each village actually start late at night?

The Bugaku performance at Dainichi Reiki Shrine (commonly known as Dainichi Hall) begins around 8:00 in the morning, but in fact, Osato , Taniuchi , Azusawa , and Nagamine , preliminary ceremonies are held in each village from late at night before the performance.

The author of this blog booked a hotel in Hachimantai to see the Dainichido Bugaku dance, and had the good fortune to go and see the preliminary ceremony in the Taniuchi district late at night. What a rare experience, I envy you

Saito Liquor Store where you can purchase sacred sake from Dainichireiki Shrine

Saito Liquor located on the road connecting Dainichireiki Shrine and Hachimantai Station on the JR Hanawa Line, sells Dainichireiki Shrine's sacred sake.

This shrine is associated with Danburi Choja, who became wealthy after discovering a spring that gushed forth sake, so I'm sure this sacred sake will bring good fortune

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