Hakata Gion Yamakasa
博多祇園山笠
Teams race towering floats through Fukuoka in this seven-century-old festival, competing for the fastest run as traditional music and crowds fill the streets.
〒 812-0026How to get there
櫛田神社前4 min walk from the station
The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is an annual festival held in Fukuoka with a history spanning over 700 years, takes place from July 1st to 15th in the Hakata district. During the festival, teams of men called "kasaboko" carry large floats called "yamakasa" through the streets of Hakata. These floats, often reaching heights of up to 10 meters, are decorated with intricate carvings and colourful paintings, and are often accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.
In addition to watching the yamakasa parades, festival goers can also participate in a variety of other activities, such as food and craft markets, traditional games and sports, and cultural workshops. The festival culminates in a grand finale event, where the kasaboko teams compete to see who can complete the course the fastest while carrying their yamakasa.
Getting There
Planning a trip? Fit this into a trip and Oni plans the rest around it.
You might also like
Kaikai Yokai Festival
Uzumasa Kyoto Village (Toei Kyoto Studio Park) fills with yokai every autumn: two evening parades, dance shows, daily yokai greetings and limited yokai food.
12 Sep – 29 Nov 2026Kyoto
Bizen Pottery Festival
This pottery festival in Japan's Heritage-certified Bizen production area offers visitors the chance to buy ware and try their hand at the potter's wheel.
17–18 Oct 2027Exact date not confirmed yetBizen · Okayama
Kanuma Autumn Festival
An autumn festival held in October with origins tracing to a 1608 rainmaking ritual, featuring 27 ornately carved musical floats from the Edo period.
10–11 Oct 2027Exact date not confirmed yetKanuma · Tochigi
KAWAII MONSTER LAND - HARAJUKU
KAWAII MONSTER LAND is a 60-minute immersive experience beneath Takeshita Street featuring themed zones, performances, and interactive installations.
Tokyo
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Opened in 1994 as the world's first ramen-themed food amusement park, this museum gathers famous ramen shops from across Japan in a single location.
Yokohama · Kanagawa
La Cittadella
Shopping and entertainment complex designed to evoke an Italian hill town, built on the site of Kawasaki's historic cinema district that dates back to 1937.
Kawasaki · Kanagawa
