延岡市　Nobeoka-City

Takigi Noh Theatre is held in October in the space of the second outer castle enclosure of the Nobeoka Castle Ruins. It uses Noh masks which were handed down from Nobeoka's previous feudal lords, the Naito Family. The Noh theatre, set upon a backdrop of The Killer of a Thousand People Stone Wall, which rises up behind the light of bonfires, invites viewers into a world of mysterious profundity.

[ Enquiries ]
Nobeoka Tengaichi Citizen's Exchange Organisation (NPO)
Tel: +81-982-32-6141

Each year over three days in April, the "Nobeoka Taishi Festival", which is known as one of the three big spring festivals in Kyushu, is held. Centering upon Mount Ima (Imayama) (a hill in the centre of town where the Imayama Shrine is situated), various events take place during the festival, including exhibitions of Noborizaru products (a locally produced toy, shaped like a climbing monkey), and displays of a selection of crafts. A parade is held on the last day of the festival, led by a "daimyo procession" (a procession symbolising the formal and extravagant trip to Edo [former Tokyo] the feudal lord and his retainers had to take on foot, to visit the shogun), where participants walk through the streets in the centre of the city.

"Kagura" is a performance of sacred Shinto music and dancing, often held at shrines. In November a Kagura Festival is held at the Nobeoka Castle Ruins. It is a festival where Kagura performances centred upon the mountains, and those based around the sea, meet. There are also Kagura performances in which audience members can participate.

[ Enquiries ]
Shiroyama Kagura Festival Executive Committee, based at the Naito Memorial Hall
Tel: +81-982-34-6437

The Nobeoka Festival is held over 2 days at the end of July, and is a festival that celebrates Nobeoka City. It begins with an "encounter of portable shrines", where over 1, 000 people involved in carrying these shrines (mikoshi), compete to see which is the bravest mikoshi team. The festival welcomes in a climatic end, with the "combined Bamba Dance" (a variety of Lantern Festival dance), in which over 5, 000 citizens participate. And, close to 10, 000 fireworks also brightly decorate the night sky during the fireworks festival.

[ Enquiries ]
The Nobeoka Festival Administrative Office
Tel: +81-982-32-6141

The Kagami Mountain Sky Sports Festival is a paragliding and hang gliding meet held from the end of April to the beginning of May. Kagami Mountain is a popular flying spot, where adventurers take off from the top of the 645 meter high mountain, in the direction of the beautiful coastline of the Nippou Coast Quasi-National Park. You can see the vivid colours of the gliders, set upon the green earth, blue water and sky.

[ Enquiries ]
Kitagawa-Machi General Branch Office
Tel: +81-982-46-5010

The Gokase River Raft Tournament is held in the middle of July and features teams racing down the river in home-made rafts. It takes place within an approximately 11km section of the Gokase River, with teams competing for the highest combined point score from such divisions as race time, raft design and costumes.

[ Enquiries ]
Nobeoka City Social Education Division
Tel: +81-982-22-7032

The Nobeoka Tanabata Festival (or "Star Festival"; sometimes also called the "Festival of the Weaver"), takes place in the first week of July. A selection of crafts and bamboo grass decorations, made by nursery school and kindergarten children attending centres around the shopping district and within the city, flamboyantly colour the Yamashita Shintengai Shopping Arcade.

[ Enquiries ]
Yamashita Shintengai Shopping Arcade
Tel: +81-982-34-6379

On the Pilgrimage to 88 Buddhist Sites of Interest in Miyanoura, participants walk a distance of approximately 6km amidst fresh verdure, to 87 guardian deity stone statues and a temple. The pilgrimage takes place on March 21 of Japan's old lunar calendar. The locals are ready to welcome pilgrims at each stop.

[ Enquiries ]
Kitaura-Machi General Branch Office
Tel: +81-982-45-4233