Nagahama Hikiyama Museum

Nagahama Hikiyama Museum (曳山博物館) offers an incredible opportunity to dive into the rich cultural heritage of Nagahama’s Hikiyama Festival. While the festival is held each April, the museum displays the elaborately decorated hikiyama floats year-round, allowing visitors to appreciate their intricate craftsmanship. These mobile stages, ranging from 6 to 9 meters tall and weighing between 5 and 6 metric tons, are adorned with gold leaf, crimson lacquer, and detailed metalwork. The museum showcases these impressive pieces of “mobile art” in all their glory, with certified regional interpreter guides offering a rare opportunity to get an up-close view inside the glass-walled bay.

During the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival, these floats are pulled by teams of around 40 people throughout the city, with child actors performing Kabuki plays at each stop. The museum gives guests a glimpse into the history of this tradition, featuring video recordings of past Kabuki performances on the second floor. Here, you can also find images of the embroidered curtains that hang on each hikiyama stage, completing the display of this artistic and cultural spectacle. Whether you're a history lover or simply fascinated by Japanese traditions, the Nagahama Hikiyama Museum offers a memorable cultural experience.