Hakata Gion Yamakasa brings a sense of summer in Hakata.It is a shrine ritual dedicated to Kushida shrine, the grand tutelary shrine of Hakata, with 760-year-old history. This festival, designated as a national significant intangible folk cultural asset, is also known as one of three major festivals in Japan.
On the 1st of July, when the displays of luxurious floats named "Kazariyama" for decorative purposes (Sei-no-Yamakasa) are set up on the streets around the town, all people in Hakata and Fukuoka to be in a festive mood. This is the beginning of a spectacle festival to play opposite two kinds of floats that is held for 15 days.
"Kakiyama" float (Do-no-Yamakasa) is to be carried in the festival by bearers wearing a loincloth. After receiving water on their bodies in spirited manner, they carry 1-ton floats while giving each other a shout, "Oisa, Oisa," then running through the streets of Hakata at full intention and speed by pushing the float from behind. The festival culminates with "Oiyama" held at 4:59am on July 15, and there will be feverish excitement around the town. Heartbeats and enthusiasm of "Yamanobose" (leaders) cause the audience the most inspirational sensation.
![Major events in the Hakata Gion Yamakasa [July 1 to July 15]](/img/yamakasa/top_ttl01_eg.gif){kind=small}
Kazariyama decorated floats put on display- In addition to the decorated float on display at Kushida Shrine throughout the year, huge decorated floats are also exhibited at several sites throughout the city.In addition to the decorated float on display at Kushida Shrine throughout the year, huge decorated floats are also exhibited at several sites throughout the city.
- *Venue:See map
- The men of the cho (district) responsible for supervising each nagare, purify themselves in this ceremony. After praying for safety during the Yamakasa, they carry home oshioi, or purified sand.
- *Venue:See map
Oshioi-tori- Along with the men who will actually carry the float, about a thousand people ranging from infants to the elderly run to Hakozakihama beach in groups by their nagare, performing this ceremony of purification and carrying home purified sand.
- *Venue:See map/*Time:Beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Nagaregaki- Each nagare carries its float through its own area in a warming-up exercise.
Asayama (early morning)- Also called the shugiyama, this race is performed from 5:00 to 6:00 in the morning. Honored elderly residents and children who will carry the huge floats in the future are allowed to climb onto the float, as daiagari, although this is forbidden during the official race.
- The float is carried to the nagare borough boundary, and neighboring teams pay their respects to each other.
Oiyama narashi- Performed as practice for the major oiyama race on the 15th, this is a race over a shorter course of only four kilometers.
- *Venue:See map/*Time:Beginning at 3:59 p.m.
Shudan yamamise- The floats are carried over a 1.2-kilometer course, from the Gofukumachi intersection to City Hall in Tenjin, Chuo Ward. It is traditional for the mayor and other well-known figures to serve as daiagari.
- *Venue:See map/*Time:Beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Nagaregaki- Identical to the nagaregaki held on the 10th, the float is again paraded throughout the nagare borough. This is used for the final adjustments before the all-important oiyama race the following day.
Oiyama- The first float leaves at 4:59 in the morning to the beat of a huge drum. After the Hakata iwaiuta is sung under the seidobata flag at Kushida Shrine, the float bursts from the shrine grounds onto the street. The other six floats follow at 5-minute intervals, vying with each other for the best time over the full course, which is about five kilometers long.
- *Venue:See map/*Time:Beginning at 4:59 a.m.
Oshioi-tori |
Oiyama |
The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a succes sion of events over a 15-day period, held centered on Kus hida Shrine.
The sites and courses of each event, s uch as the course of the key oiyama race, constitute a treas ure house of Hakata history.
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Spectator stands |
Doi-dori Avenue
(Reisen Park - former Hakata Elementary School)
The starting point. All the nagare gather here in grand splendor. The many floats gather here between 2:00 and 2:30 on the afternoon of the 12th for the oiyama narashi practice race, and between 1:30 and 2:00 on the morning of the 15th for the oiyama race.
Spectator stands
(Kushida Shrine approach)
It is extremely difficult to obtain seating tickets, but if you are lucky enough you can enjoy the thrill of the Kushida-iri close at hand.
Kokutai-doro Avenue
(Mangyoji Temple)
After the Kushida-iri, most floats switch off their riders (daiagari) at Mangyoji Temple.
Taihaku-dori Avenue
(Tochoji Temple approach)
The daiagari for each nagare pay their respects to the monks of Tochoji Temple, who come to the entranceway to greet them.
Old Higashi-machi Suji Road
The floats race around the seido (approach) of Jotenji Temple, where there is a monument marking the birthplace of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, and down the narrow road. Spectators standing here should take care to stay out of the way of the men carrying the float, and be prepared to be drenched with ikioimizu.
Taihaku-dori Avenue
(Hakata Elementary School - Okunodo bus stop)
The wide street provides an excellent place to watch without getting drenched.
Kokutai-doro Avenue
(Jotenji Temple - Mangyoji Temple)
If you move along this street in time with the race, you will be able to see the floats three times: on the old Higashi-machi Suji Road, on Taihaku-dori Avenue and on the old Nishi-machi Suji Road.
Okunodo bus stop-Old Nishi-machi Suji Road
(nicknamed - Gondo-dori Avenue*)
The floats leave spacious Taihaku-dori Avenue for these narrow streets, and must be controlled carefully. An excellent place to judge the skill of the carriers.
Doi-dori Avenue
(Reisen Park - former Hakata Elementary School)
After the float turns the last corner and the finish line comes into view, the men carrying it squeeze out their last spurts of energy. After the race, they are exhausted but filled with a sense of fulfillment and excitement that exhilarates spectators as well.
