Mibu Kyogen Autumn Performances 2026

Dates & time: October 10, 2026 (Sat) - October 12, 2026 (Mon) 13:00 to around 17:30 (doors open around 12:30)
cost: Adults ¥1,000 / junior and senior high school students ¥500 / elementary school age and under free (same-day tickets only, unreserved seating)
Venue & access: Mibu-dera Temple, Dainenbutsu-do (Kyogen Hall) About a 3-minute walk south along Bojo-dori from the "Mibudera-michi" city bus stop (about 10 minutes on foot from Hankyu Omiya Station). There is no parking, so come by public transport.

Calendar

Add it to your calendar so you can check back on it later.

We hope it gives you a reason to head out together.

Why You Should Visit

Mibu Kyogen, a silent masked drama performed at Mibu-dera Temple in Kyoto for about 700 years, is staged over three days of the October holiday weekend. Every performer wears a mask and acts out the story through gesture alone, with no spoken lines, to the sound of a bell, drums and flute. Locals call it "Mibu-san no Kandenden" after that rhythm, and in 1976 it became the first nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Kyoto Prefecture. Six plays are performed each day, about 45 minutes each. Because there is no dialogue, you can follow the stories without knowing Japanese.

NOTE

About Mibu Kyogen

A religious drama that grew out of the Dainenbutsu-e service started at Mibu-dera in 1300 by the Kamakura-period priest Enkaku Shonin
30 plays are performed today; six of them are staged each day
A silent drama in which every performer wears a mask and no lines are spoken

Three seasons a year

Spring: Dainenbutsu-e, April 29 to May 5
Autumn: three days of the October holiday weekend (this page)
Setsubun: the day before and the day of Setsubun in February (only the play "Setsubun", free)

Programme (in order)

Sat Oct 10: Horakuwari / Rashomon / Oharame / Nue / Kumasaka / Bofuri
Sun Oct 11: Horakuwari / Oketori / Momijigari / Daikokugari / Oeyama / Bofuri
Mon Oct 12 (holiday): Horakuwari / Tsuchigumo / Atagomairi / Youchi Soga / Gaki Zumo / Bofuri

Watching

400 seats each day; entry is restricted when full
You can come and go mid-performance, but no re-entry once you leave
No photos or video

History Heritage Culture Art Half Day Solo Trip

出典: 壬生寺公式サイト（壬生狂言秋の公開のお知らせ）

Kobe · Gluten-free

Events

Where to go next

View Recommended Events →

10/7 - 10/12

Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, Kyoto

Grand Hall, 7F, Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. (department store)

10/9 - 10/18

Kyōto YouMe Triennale 2026

Shosei-en Garden (Kikoku-tei), Shigenobu Kaikan and satellite venues around Kyoto

10/15 - 10/20

Suimeikai — Pontocho Autumn Dance

Pontocho Kaburenjo Theatre

10/6 - 11/29

The Tale of Genji: Radiant Culture of the Japanese Imperial Court

Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Kyoto National Museum

10/8 - 10/11

Miyagawacho Mizue-kai Autumn Dance

Miyagawacho Kaburenjo Theatre (Mitsuwa-za)

5/2 - 3/20

Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026–27 | Weekend Fireworks off Meriken Park

Meriken Park

9/19 - 12/26

EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market

Higashi Yuenchi Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe

10/3 - 10/11

Kobe Motomachi Music Week (27th)

Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street (1-bangai to 6-chome) and nearby halls

FAQ

Can I reserve seats?

No. There are no reservations or reserved seats; only same-day tickets with unreserved seating are sold.

Can I enjoy it without understanding Japanese?

Yes. Mibu Kyogen has no spoken lines; masked performers tell the story through gesture to the accompaniment of a bell, drums and flute.

How long is each play?

Each play runs about 45 minutes, and six plays are performed each day.