Travel Themes

Hakata Gion Yamakasa

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This festival is said to originate from the legend that the founder of Shotenji Temple scattered sacred water on the street to get rid of plague. Come the 1st of July, the town of Hakata becomes filled with a festive mood, with floats over 10 meters high exhibited at 14 spots around the town. The climax of the festival is around a minute before 5 o’clock on the 15th of July. Under the gaze of many people who have gathered in the middle of the night, at the sign of a drum, men carrying the Yamakasa float dash out with full speed into the streets of Hakata. This vigorous festival, designated as a national intangible folk heritage, is worth seeing at least once in your lifetime.