hikiyama
ABOUT MUSEUM

The Hikiyama Museum is designed to be an introduction to the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival. The museum first opened in 2000. Through our exhibition of a magnificent and authentic hikiyama used in the festival, and our temporary exhibit introducing Naghama’s art and history, our goal is to convey the charm of the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival while promoting the importance of protecting festival traditions by offering an opportunity to see, learn, and think about its significance. *Pictures of the hikiyama inside the museum are permitted!

hikiyama
NAGAHAMA HIKIYAMA FESTIVAL

The “Nagahama Hikiyama Festival” is a festival that began in Nagahama during the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), and is now a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Every year in April from the 9th~17th, crowds gather to see the hikiyama be paraded around town, in addition to a variety of events being held. Hikiyama is a type float pulled manually with ropes that is utilized in festivals, and Nagahama’s hikiyama are full of carvings and metal decorations that were common in the Edo period. This has led to the festival being called “The Moving Art Gallery.” On the float stages, “Children’s Kabuki” is performed, and along with the extravagant ornamentation used, the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival is a fine example of Japan’s distinguished and stunning festivals. Children’s Kabuki will take place the evening of the 13th, morning of the 14th, and throughout the 15th and 16th.

kabuki

Children’s Kabuki(13th ~ 16th)

tachi

Crossing of the Longswords
(warrior procession) (15th)

hachimangu

Hikiyama festival at
Nagahama Hachiman Shrine (14th ~ 15th)

GET IN TOUCH
Location
Nagahama Hikiyama Museum
14-8 Motohama-cho, Nagahama-shi, Shiga-ken 526-0059
Hours
9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM (Last entry: 4:30 PM)
Closed days
New year’s holidays (12/29~1/3)
TEL
0749-65-3300
FAX
0749-65-3440
Entrance Fees
  Adult Elementary middle school student Guests with disabilities
Single ticket ¥600 ¥300 Free*
Group ticket
(parties of 20+)
¥480 ¥240 Free*

*for applicable guest and one aide

Free
Entrance fee waived for: Pre-school children, students in Nagahama or Maibara elementary or middle schools, guests with disabilities and one aide, travel agency tour guides (with a business card for proof.)
Access
Elevator, handicap-accessible restrooms, wheelchairs (two available,) nursing room, AED
  

Copyright Nagahamashi Hikiyama Museum All rights reserved.