Ohara Festival 2024

Kagoshima's biggest annual festival returns each November promising traditional dance parades, taiko performances and a whole lot more.

Occupying the tram line route in the downtown Tenmonkan area, the festival originally started in 1949, to mark 60 years since Kagoshima's municipalisation, with thousands of people turning out each year to celebrate and dance to traditional music (including the 'Ohara-bushi', which gives the festival its name).

Dance teams comprise volunteers from the local community, companies and schools, who wear traditional kimono, tabi and a straw hat. 'Flower trams' can also be seen adding a festive spirit

The main festival commences on the 2nd day in the morning with plenty of dancing going on all day. Shochu is provided to dancers and visitors, who themselves can even get involved in the dancing if they so wish.