414 Taki, Nasukarasuyama 321-0633 Tochigi Prefecture

1-11-18 Chuo, Nasukarasuyama Tochigi Prefecture

414 Taki, Nasukarasuyama 321-0633 Tochigi Prefecture

2-5-26 Kanai, Nasukarasuyama Tochigi Prefecture

Yamaage Center Square, Nasukarasuyama Tochigi Prefecture

The Yamaage Matsuri in Nasukarasuyama, Tochigi features open-air kabuki plays on a stage in the heart of the city. While dozens of kabuki performances are held throughout the town during the festival, the highlights take place on a giant 100 x 20-meter open-air stage constructed especially for each year's festival. The "yama," or "mountain," in the festival's name refers to the mountain-and-water backdrops for the stage, created from Nasukarasuyama's special Japanese-style paper, built (the "age" part of the festival's name) by human hands. The magnificent stagecraft on display makes the Yamaage Matsuri one of Japan's premier festivals.