Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage festival centred on Kushida Shrine, running throughout July and culminating in the Oiyama race on 15 July. Teams of men in happi coats and fundoshi carry multi-tonne kazariyama floats along a 5-km course through Hakata's streets, completing the course in under 30 minutes. Elaborately decorated display floats (kazariyama) are exhibited around the city throughout the festival period.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- July
- Region
- Kyushu
- Prefecture
- Fukuoka
- City
- Fukuoka (Hakata)
Highlights
- ◆Oiyama pre-dawn race on 15 July through Hakata streets
- ◆Ornate kazariyama display floats up to 15 metres tall
- ◆Kushida Shrine central ceremonies and blessings
- ◆780+ years of unbroken festival tradition
- ◆UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition