Once a Year, Only on April 18: Guided Special Tour of 'Daidai Kagura,' Bugaku Dance Continuing from the Nara Period, Held at Yahiko Shrine in Niigata
LAMBDA・JAPAN Inc., which operates the 'INORI' tourism platform specializing in Shinto and faith experiences, in collaboration with the Yahiko Tourism Association, will hold a special guided tour of the 'Daidai Kagura' at Yahiko Shrine in Niigata on April 18, 2026. This rare event allows participants to experience the 'Daidai Kagura,' a Bugaku dance designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, with expert commentary.
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Once a year, only on April 18. Guided Special Tour of 'Daidai Kagura,' Bugaku Dance Continuing from the Nara Period, Held at Yahiko Shrine in Niigata.
LAMBDA・JAPAN Inc. (Location: Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture; Representative Director: Tatsumi Igarashi), which operates 'INORI,' a tourism platform specializing in Shinto and faith experiences, will jointly hold a guided tour to observe Yahiko Shrine's 'Daidai Kagura' on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in collaboration with the Yahiko Tourism Association.
Since 2025, LAMBDA・JAPAN Inc., in cooperation with the Yahiko Tourism Association, has been developing experiential programs centered around Yahiko Shrine. The Yahiko Tourism Association has also strengthened guide training, steadily preparing for the acceptance of tourists in Yahiko. The Daidai Kagura tour is a step forward for Yahiko tourism, built upon these accumulated efforts, moving it to the next stage.
## What is 'Daidai Kagura'?
Yahiko Shrine, known as Echigo Ichinomiya, has a special Shinto ritual performed only once a year on April 18. This 'Daidai Kagura' is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. All 13 pieces are performed at once only on April 19, when the annual festival for the consort deity, 'Tsumado Okami Reisai,' is held. It is truly a special Shinto ritual that occurs only once a year.
## Three Highlights to Enjoy Daidai Kagura
- 1｜'Chigo-mai' (Children's Dance) performed by dignified elementary school students
Seven of the 13 pieces are performed by local elementary school students in 'Chigo-mai.' Their dignified dance in vibrant costumes is sure to captivate you.
- 2｜Powerful and mysterious 'Otona-mai' (Adult Dance)
For the six pieces performed by adults, all participants wear masks. The dynamic and mystical atmosphere offers an experience that cannot be conveyed through video and can only be savored on-site.
- 3｜Pay attention to the sounds of the flute and drums
Along with the dance, the music played by the Kagura flute and drums is a must-listen. Enjoy the leisurely sounds echoing through the shrine grounds.
## Guided Tour Enjoyable Even Without Prior Knowledge
Guides from the Yahiko Tourism Association will accompany this tour, providing careful explanations from the history of Yahiko Shrine to how to view and enjoy Daidai Kagura. We especially encourage those who say, 'I'm not very knowledgeable about history...' to participate. It's content that both locals and first-time visitors can easily enjoy.
## Initiatives for Experience Creation and Guide Training in Yahiko
LAMBDA・JAPAN Inc., in collaboration with the Yahiko Tourism Association, began jointly developing experiential programs in 2025. They have created a variety of experiential programs, including guided tours of Yahiko Shrine, guided tours of Goshinbyo, agricultural harvesting experiences, and rice oil massage experiences. These programs have recorded participant satisfaction rates of 90-100%, with comments such as 'It was an experience worth more than the price' and 'I discovered a side of Yahiko I never knew.'
LAMBDA・JAPAN Inc. (Location: Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture; Representative Director: Tatsumi Igarashi), which operates 'INORI,' a tourism platform specializing in Shinto and faith experiences, will jointly hold a guided tour to observe Yahiko Shrine's 'Daidai Kagura' on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in collaboration with the Yahiko Tourism Association.
Since 2025, LAMBDA・JAPAN Inc., in cooperation with the Yahiko Tourism Association, has been developing experiential programs centered around Yahiko Shrine. The Yahiko Tourism Association has also strengthened guide training, steadily preparing for the acceptance of tourists in Yahiko. The Daidai Kagura tour is a step forward for Yahiko tourism, built upon these accumulated efforts, moving it to the next stage.
## What is 'Daidai Kagura'?
Yahiko Shrine, known as Echigo Ichinomiya, has a special Shinto ritual performed only once a year on April 18. This 'Daidai Kagura' is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. All 13 pieces are performed at once only on April 19, when the annual festival for the consort deity, 'Tsumado Okami Reisai,' is held. It is truly a special Shinto ritual that occurs only once a year.
## Three Highlights to Enjoy Daidai Kagura
- 1｜'Chigo-mai' (Children's Dance) performed by dignified elementary school students
Seven of the 13 pieces are performed by local elementary school students in 'Chigo-mai.' Their dignified dance in vibrant costumes is sure to captivate you.
- 2｜Powerful and mysterious 'Otona-mai' (Adult Dance)
For the six pieces performed by adults, all participants wear masks. The dynamic and mystical atmosphere offers an experience that cannot be conveyed through video and can only be savored on-site.
- 3｜Pay attention to the sounds of the flute and drums
Along with the dance, the music played by the Kagura flute and drums is a must-listen. Enjoy the leisurely sounds echoing through the shrine grounds.
## Guided Tour Enjoyable Even Without Prior Knowledge
Guides from the Yahiko Tourism Association will accompany this tour, providing careful explanations from the history of Yahiko Shrine to how to view and enjoy Daidai Kagura. We especially encourage those who say, 'I'm not very knowledgeable about history...' to participate. It's content that both locals and first-time visitors can easily enjoy.
## Initiatives for Experience Creation and Guide Training in Yahiko
LAMBDA・JAPAN Inc., in collaboration with the Yahiko Tourism Association, began jointly developing experiential programs in 2025. They have created a variety of experiential programs, including guided tours of Yahiko Shrine, guided tours of Goshinbyo, agricultural harvesting experiences, and rice oil massage experiences. These programs have recorded participant satisfaction rates of 90-100%, with comments such as 'It was an experience worth more than the price' and 'I discovered a side of Yahiko I never knew.'