The annual Tano Taiko Festival, which began in 1991, is a percussion extravaganza for music lovers of all ages. Culminating in the end of August as the town's big event of the year, this festival features the traditional heart pounding taiko-drumming style of "Ama Daiko",or rain drum. With over 150 musicians performing, participants range from nursery school groups to professional taiko troupes. In addition, every year Tano invites a special guest performer to headline the event, usually a famous "enka" singer- a traditional folk singer.

"Ama Daiko", has a long tradition in Tano. About 500 years ago in the age of civil wars in Japan, the "Ama Daiko" was sounded as a war drum to enliven the spirits of soldiers (Bushido) in battle. With the end of civil wars and peace presiding over the land, the "Ama Daiko" was used to pray for rain, hence the name it bears to this day. In the middle of the Meiji Era a large drought desiccated the area, and a local villager believed the vibrations created from striking the "Ama Daiko" and a gong, would induce the clouds to shower upon their land. Tano's original "Ama Daiko" has 5 unique drumming patterns.

Today the "Ama Daiko" has evolved into a "festival drum" used to celebrate Tano's rich cultural traditions. Still to this day, many towns and cities across Japan retain their traditional layout of being subdivided into neighborhoods,which live together as interdependent communities and share in cultural traditions.Within Tano there are eleven different neighborhoods that have revived the "Ama Daiko", and as time has passed each group has developed its own style.
While Tano residents look to the past for cultural inspiration, they also recognize the importance of passing this tradition on to future generations. And Tano's budding generation is highly active in continuing the taiko tradition, with a local youth troupe of elementary and jr. high students that performs regularly.

• Coming of Age Day
• Tano Marathon (10k, 5k, 3k, children's run)

• Tano Photo Contest
  >>> Tano's Seasonal Views

• Spring Performing Artists Festival

• Hometown Summer Festival

• Taiko Festival

• Town Sports Festival(once every 3 years)

• Cultural Festival
• Local Products Festival

More Information

Miyazaki City Tano Branch Office

zipcode : 889-1795
Japan Miyazaki-ken Miyazaki-shi Tano-cho Kou 2818
TEL : 0985-86-1111 FAX : 0985-86-1987
E-mail : webmaster@city.miyazaki.miyazaki.jp