Intangible Folk Cultural Properties Requiring Documentation of Gunma

In a snowy Gunma hamlet, villagers taste four reference teas and name seven blind cups. A relic of medieval tōcha, this shrine festival also reads the harvest.

At Hotaka Shrine in Katashina, Gunma, villagers split east and west and fling steamed red rice with paddles, then chase a white-robed monkey around the shrine hall.

The Kami-Mihara Kabuki Stage in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, is a nationally designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property built around 1819. It is the only rural kabuki stage in Japan equipped with four distinct mechanical systems: the Gando wall-folding mechanism, Tomi perspective device, pillar-standing revolving stage, and dual-direction Seri-Hiki elevator. Over 80 community members coordinate to operate these mechanisms during annual November performances, keeping 200-year-old theatrical engineering alive.

Nedofumi is a remarkable folk technique from the Iriyama district of Nakanojo, Gunma Prefecture, where sedge grass is soaked in naturally heated alkaline hot spring water to soften its fibers for weaving sandals, mats, and everyday tools. Selected in 2016 as a nationally recognized intangible folk cultural property, this tradition offers a fascinating glimpse into the ingenuity of Japan's mountain communities.

Shittaka Ningyo is a distinctive solo puppet theater tradition preserved in Takayama Village, Gunma Prefecture, where a single puppeteer manipulates characters using sashigane metal rods. Dating back to the Meiji era, this art form is designated as a Gunma Prefectural Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and nationally selected for preservation. Annual performances are held on November 23.

Shimonagaiso no Shikisanban is an exceptionally rare folk performing art preserved at the Inari Shrine in Shimonagaiso-machi, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture. This tradition recreates the most sacred Noh ritual dance, the Shikisanban (Okina), through two-person puppet manipulation. Featuring puppets dating to 1780 and ancient ritual practices such as ceremonial processions, it is designated as a nationally selected and prefecturally designated cultural property. The performance is held annually on the third Sunday of April.

Gunma’s registered properties across designations, with featured heritage and travel notes.

The complete kokuhō catalogue — browse by prefecture, period, and category.

Nationwide jūyō bunkazai — architecture, sculpture, painting, crafts, and documents.