Takachiho Yokagura

高千穂夜神楽

Takachiho Yokagura is performed nightly at Takachiho Shrine.

Usually four dances are performed in the hourly show which begins at 8pm (500 yen).

The evening we attended we saw the Dance of Tajikarao, the Dance of Ameno-Uzume and the Totori Dance featuring Tajikarao. In the first dance Tajikarao listens for sounds of Amaterasu (the sun goddess) hiding in Amano-Iwato cave. In the second dance Ameno-Uzume performs an "unusual" (read "bawdy" according to the ancient texts) dance that makes the other gods laugh, thus making Amaterau curious enough to peek outside her cave. In the third dance, Tajikarao, known for his great strength, gathers his energy and removes the stone blocking the cave, thus restoring the sun to the universe.

The dance shown in the video (above) is the comic Goshintai Dance and shows Izanagi and Izanami, the god and goddess who created Japan according to Japanese mythology, as they make and drink sake. These two gods are known for their long and loving marriage before the tragedy of Izanami's death in child-birth. This dance is also known as the "Creation of Japan" dance.


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Takachiho Station

高千穂駅

The Takachiho to Nobeoka Line in Kyushu, southern Japan was closed in 2005 following the powerful typhoon Nabi and subsequent flooding which washed away two bridges along the route. No funds were available from central government for rebuilding and the company went into liquidation in 2009.

Now Takachiho Station runs only a few toy "torokko" trains a couple of kilometers down the line for tourists. The station remains open as a travel information and tribute center to the former glories of the picturesque railway, which linked the tourist town of Takachiho to Nobeoka and from there to Oita, Fukuoka (via Kokura) and the rest of the country.

The 50km-long Takachiho Railway was one of the most scenic railways in Japan before the disaster with 14 daily trains in each direction.

Takachiho Amaterasu Rail Park
Tel: 0982 72 3216

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