Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture Launches Promotion to Expand Tourism and 'Related Population' Utilizing Traditional Performing Arts!
Kitahiroshima Town in Hiroshima Prefecture has launched a promotion campaign centered on its traditional performing arts, 'Kagura' and 'Hanataue,' to boost tourism and expand its 'related population.' The initiative aims to revitalize the local economy through a main visual by a local manga artist, bus tours for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Mibu no Hanataue,' and recruitment of young people for planning and operation.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 22:43
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1. Revitalizing the local economy and expanding the 'related population' with Kitahiroshima Town's proud traditional performing arts, 'Kagura' and 'Hanataue.'
Kitahiroshima Town in Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a rice-producing region that cultivates about 20 varieties, including rice that has won first place in Japan. The traditional performing arts of Kitahiroshima Town, 'Hanataue' and 'Kagura,' are deeply rooted in Japan's rice-farming culture and are cherished and passed down through generations as a local identity.
'Hanataue,' a vibrant agricultural ritual performed in early summer to pray for a bountiful harvest and worship the rice field gods, and 'Kagura,' dedicated during Shinto rituals to express gratitude for the autumn harvest, are the pride of Kitahiroshima Town, symbolizing the richness of Japan's rice-farming culture.
We have launched a promotion to revitalize the local economy and expand the 'related population' by having many people learn about the charm of 'Kagura' and 'Hanataue' with the cooperation of young people, and by encouraging them to visit Kitahiroshima Town.
2. The main visual is an original drawing by Tetsuhiro Hirakawa, a manga artist from Kitahiroshima Town.
The main visual, which serves as the eye-catcher for the Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion, is an original drawing by Tetsuhiro Hirakawa, a manga artist from Kitahiroshima Town known for 'Clover' and 'Himawari.' Mr. Hirakawa vividly and faithfully created the Hanataue musicians and rice-planting maidens, as well as the gods and demons of Kagura, with his unique coolness. This visual will be utilized for the traditional performing arts promotion website, banners, other tools, and merchandise.
3. Developed bus tours to experience traditional performing arts and Kitahiroshima Town's local specialties. The Mibu no Hanataue bus tour on Sunday, June 7th, is the first to offer 'reserved seats for the first 40 people only!'
Scene of decorated oxen procession, Kitahiroshima local specialty corner.
This year's 'Mibu no Hanataue' will be held on Sunday, June 7th.
Hanataue is an agricultural ritual to welcome the rice field gods and pray for a bountiful harvest, and its entirety is as magnificent as an illustrated scroll. Among them, 'Mibu no Hanataue' is highly regarded as a tradition that conveys Japan's rice-farming culture and was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011. On this day, the entire town of Mibu becomes a festival, with street performances called 'Michiyuki' leading up to the main event, and opportunities to eat and purchase local specialties, making it enjoyable for children and adults alike for a whole day.
For the first time this year, we have started selling bus tours with 'reserved seats for the first 40 people only' at 9,000 yen for adults (13 years and older) and 6,300 yen for children (6-12 years old / elementary school students). Please visit the traditional performing arts promotion website for more details. *Prices include tax.
Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Website: Search for 'Kagura Hanataue'
https://kagura-hanataue.jp
4. Calling for young people to participate in the planning and operation of Mibu no Hanataue and Kagura competitions!
Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion is actively considering creating opportunities for young people to engage with traditional performing arts and utilizing student volunteers. We are widely recruiting young people from both inside and outside the town who can participate in the planning and operation of Mibu no Hanataue and Kagura competitions.
Applications can be made through the 'Tradish' website, a consulting company specializing in folk performing arts, founded by student entrepreneur Moe Katagiri.
We are recruiting festival lovers as 'Watarishu' (participants).
Let's liven things up together! Please feel free to join us.
Click here to apply for Mibu no Hanataue / Kagura competition participation:
Search for 'Tradish'
'Tradish Hiroshima Festival Page'
https://matsuri-union.tradish.info/matsuri
5. Information on Hanataue, Kagura, and bus tours is available on the Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion website.
The Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion website provides information on 'The Charm of Kagura,' 'The Charm of Hanataue,' 'Kitahiroshima Town Kagura Performance Guide,' and 'Viewing Bus Tour Guide.'
It features the origins and enjoyment of Hanataue, the history and programs of Kagura, information on 63 Kagura troupes within Kitahiroshima Town, videos, and more. The official Instagram is also linked, allowing access to the latest information on Kitahiroshima Town's Hanataue and Kagura. In the future, links to each Kagura troupe's Instagram will be added, and Kagura troupe information will be shared.
Please learn a little about the charm of 'Kagura' and 'Hanataue' and do visit Kitahiroshima Town.
Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Website
Search for 'Kagura Hanataue'
https://kagura-hanataue.jp
[Inquiries regarding this material]
Kitahiroshima Town Office, Commerce and Tourism Division
1122 Arita, Kitahiroshima-cho, Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima 731-1533
TEL: 0826-72-7368
Kitahiroshima Town in Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a rice-producing region that cultivates about 20 varieties, including rice that has won first place in Japan. The traditional performing arts of Kitahiroshima Town, 'Hanataue' and 'Kagura,' are deeply rooted in Japan's rice-farming culture and are cherished and passed down through generations as a local identity.
'Hanataue,' a vibrant agricultural ritual performed in early summer to pray for a bountiful harvest and worship the rice field gods, and 'Kagura,' dedicated during Shinto rituals to express gratitude for the autumn harvest, are the pride of Kitahiroshima Town, symbolizing the richness of Japan's rice-farming culture.
We have launched a promotion to revitalize the local economy and expand the 'related population' by having many people learn about the charm of 'Kagura' and 'Hanataue' with the cooperation of young people, and by encouraging them to visit Kitahiroshima Town.
2. The main visual is an original drawing by Tetsuhiro Hirakawa, a manga artist from Kitahiroshima Town.
The main visual, which serves as the eye-catcher for the Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion, is an original drawing by Tetsuhiro Hirakawa, a manga artist from Kitahiroshima Town known for 'Clover' and 'Himawari.' Mr. Hirakawa vividly and faithfully created the Hanataue musicians and rice-planting maidens, as well as the gods and demons of Kagura, with his unique coolness. This visual will be utilized for the traditional performing arts promotion website, banners, other tools, and merchandise.
3. Developed bus tours to experience traditional performing arts and Kitahiroshima Town's local specialties. The Mibu no Hanataue bus tour on Sunday, June 7th, is the first to offer 'reserved seats for the first 40 people only!'
Scene of decorated oxen procession, Kitahiroshima local specialty corner.
This year's 'Mibu no Hanataue' will be held on Sunday, June 7th.
Hanataue is an agricultural ritual to welcome the rice field gods and pray for a bountiful harvest, and its entirety is as magnificent as an illustrated scroll. Among them, 'Mibu no Hanataue' is highly regarded as a tradition that conveys Japan's rice-farming culture and was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011. On this day, the entire town of Mibu becomes a festival, with street performances called 'Michiyuki' leading up to the main event, and opportunities to eat and purchase local specialties, making it enjoyable for children and adults alike for a whole day.
For the first time this year, we have started selling bus tours with 'reserved seats for the first 40 people only' at 9,000 yen for adults (13 years and older) and 6,300 yen for children (6-12 years old / elementary school students). Please visit the traditional performing arts promotion website for more details. *Prices include tax.
Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Website: Search for 'Kagura Hanataue'
https://kagura-hanataue.jp
4. Calling for young people to participate in the planning and operation of Mibu no Hanataue and Kagura competitions!
Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion is actively considering creating opportunities for young people to engage with traditional performing arts and utilizing student volunteers. We are widely recruiting young people from both inside and outside the town who can participate in the planning and operation of Mibu no Hanataue and Kagura competitions.
Applications can be made through the 'Tradish' website, a consulting company specializing in folk performing arts, founded by student entrepreneur Moe Katagiri.
We are recruiting festival lovers as 'Watarishu' (participants).
Let's liven things up together! Please feel free to join us.
Click here to apply for Mibu no Hanataue / Kagura competition participation:
Search for 'Tradish'
'Tradish Hiroshima Festival Page'
https://matsuri-union.tradish.info/matsuri
5. Information on Hanataue, Kagura, and bus tours is available on the Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion website.
The Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion website provides information on 'The Charm of Kagura,' 'The Charm of Hanataue,' 'Kitahiroshima Town Kagura Performance Guide,' and 'Viewing Bus Tour Guide.'
It features the origins and enjoyment of Hanataue, the history and programs of Kagura, information on 63 Kagura troupes within Kitahiroshima Town, videos, and more. The official Instagram is also linked, allowing access to the latest information on Kitahiroshima Town's Hanataue and Kagura. In the future, links to each Kagura troupe's Instagram will be added, and Kagura troupe information will be shared.
Please learn a little about the charm of 'Kagura' and 'Hanataue' and do visit Kitahiroshima Town.
Kitahiroshima Town Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Website
Search for 'Kagura Hanataue'
https://kagura-hanataue.jp
[Inquiries regarding this material]
Kitahiroshima Town Office, Commerce and Tourism Division
1122 Arita, Kitahiroshima-cho, Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima 731-1533
TEL: 0826-72-7368