Have you ever heard of Kagura before? In Kanji, it is written “神楽”, meaning “the gods enjoy”. Would that help imagine what it is like? It is actually one of the Shinto rituals and is a performance of song and dance dedicated to the gods. Kagura is performed all over Japan, but the style differs by region. In Hiroshima, Kagura is a festival of thanksgiving to God and nature. When the harvest is over in autumn, Kagura is performed at many shrines, including those in Hiroshima City. In Kagura performances around Hiroshima, several actors and flute and drum players perform a story like a musical. It is quite rhythmic, and the children in the audience may even dance along with them. As this culture is deeply connected with agriculture, the stage is not in a formal theater, but in a very casual one. There are no professional Kagura troupes. Normally, pe...
Travelers' tips to enjoy Hiroshima just like locals do!