“The Folklore of KAGURA” was registered as featured return gifts of the experience-based hometown tax donation program of Usa City!

“The Folklore of KAGURA” has been officially registered as return gifts of Usa City, Oita Prefecture, in the “Experience-based Hometown Tax” program in Japan(*). In response to this, a regular press conference was held at Usa City Hall on 24 July 2025. OUGI participated in the conference to jointly announce this registration.
*The hometown tax program is a tax system in Japan that allows taxpayers who live in urban areas to contribute to rural areas by making a donation, in return for a tax credit from income tax and residence tax.

This project is a pioneering example of the “Experience-based Hometown Tax” program, which is attracting attention nationwide, combining the intangible culture of Kagura with the storytelling of the region. By taking advantage of the historical background and cultural value unique to Usa City, it is expected that donors will become successors of the local culture and the scheme become a new model of “regional earning power” that will expand new ties with the region.

[Return Gifts Details]

As a return for the donation, Usa City will offer a voucher for the “The Folklore of KAGURA”, as well as a premium experience plan (participation right) for 13 million yen donation, which includes a composition of the original music and videographing your participation, in response to the 1300th anniversary of the establishment of Usa Jingu Shrine.

① KAGURA Tradition Experience Usa Jingu Shrine 1300th Anniversary Plan (4 nights, 5 days)

Donation amount: 13 million yen / Return gift is worth to: 3.5 million yen
as the ticket to participate in “The Folklore of KAGURA”, commemorating the 1300th anniversary of the Usa Jingu Shrine’s establishment (the original music composition and video recording included).
(*For maximum 6 participants with this donation.)

② KAGURA Tradition Experience Plan (4 nights, 5 days)

Donation amount: 12.223 million yen / Return gift is worth to: 3.3 million yen
as the ticket to participate in “The Folklore of KAGURA”.
(*For maximum 6 participants with this donation.)

③ KAGURA Tradition Experience Ticket (270,000 yen voucher; 4 nights, 5 days)

Donation amount: 1 million yen / Return gift is worth to: 270,000 yen
as the voucher to participate in “The Folklore of KAGURA”.
*The rest of the participation fee in the programme after redeeming the voucher must be paid in cash.

The return gifts of the hometown tax donations in Japan has been shifting from “things” to “experiences.” “The Folklore of KAGURA” brings new possibilities to the hometown tax donations and suggests a new form of bond between people and local culture. OUGI will continue to refine the traditional culture of each region into a tourism experience with a story and promote it together with local communities.

[Reference materials: The outline of the regular press conference of Usa City (in Japanese)]

https://www.city.usa.oita.jp/material/files/group/1/7gatuteireikisyakaikenn0724.pdf

[Applications & Inquiries]

If you are a tax payer in Japan and interested in Usa City and the mastering Kagura experience program, we encourage you to consider participating in “The Folklore of KAGURA” as a “Hometown Tax Donation.” For more information on Usa City’s “Hometown Tax Donation,” please see the website below.

Usa City Hometown Tax Donation special website

https://www.city.usa.oita.jp/sougo/soshiki/10/machizukurisuishinka/2/1_1/2524.html

Usa City Hometown Tax Donation Application websites

(*You can apply from various “Hometown Tax Donation Sites”)

① KAGURA Tradition Experience Usa Jingu Shrine 1300th Anniversary Plan (4 nights, 5 days)　
Donation amount: 13 million yen
From: Rakuten / Furusato Choice / Furunavi / ANA

② KAGURA Tradition Experience Plan (4 nights, 5 days)
Donation amount: 12.223 million yen
From: Rakuten / Furusato Choice / Furunavi / ANA

③ KAGURA Tradition Experience Ticket (270,000 yen voucher; 4 nights, 5 days)
Donation amount: 1 million yen
From: Rakuten / Furusato Choice / Furunavi / ANA