Ogisai Kurokawa Noh

Ogisai Kurokawa Noh is a traditional form of Japanese theater performed in Kurokawa town in Yamagata Prefecture. The festival features two established performing groups presenting a collection of 540 different classical plays and 50 comedic performances.

This theatrical form emerged over 500 years ago as a sacred ritual at Kasuga Shrine. It gained official recognition in 1976 when it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

The two local performing groups, Kamiza and Shimoza, pass their roles down through family lines across generations. When you watch a performance, you are seeing actors who represent both their family lineage and their community on stage.

Performances take place in spring and are accessible via the local road from Tsuruoka. It helps to check the performance schedule in advance since shows happen only at specific times of year.

Each performance is accompanied by special tofu-based meals prepared only for this annual festival. This culinary tradition is as much part of the experience as the show itself.

GPS coordinates: 38.66536,139.87419

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:10