Iki

More than 100 shrines dot the small island of Iki, and some two dozen appear in the tenth-century Engishiki, suggesting the Yamato court considered the island strategically significant. These shrines have long hosted kagura, an ancient performance combining dance and music, though Iki's tradition is unusually ceremonial, performed only by Shinto priests and their families. Around 35 stories are passed down orally, ranging from creation myths to acrobatic performances incorporating sumo elements. Two performances are open to the public: the three-hour Daikagura at Tsutsuki Beach in August, and the Daidaikagura at Sumiyoshi Shrine in December, which runs up to nine hours.