Hakata Gion Yamakasa: Dates, Times, Access & Crowd Tips

Overview

A festival of Kushida Shrine dating back to 1241 and designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. From July 1 to 15, kazari-yamakasa decorative floats adorned with lavish figures stand at 13 locations around the city, including Hakata and Tenjin, and seven nagare (neighborhood groups) race through the streets of Hakata carrying kaki-yamakasa racing floats. It was also inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.

When: Every year July 1–15 (the Oiyama race starts at 4:59 in the early morning of the 15th)
Venue: Kushida Shrine (Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City) and the streets of Hakata; decorative floats at 13 locations around the city
Official website: https://www.hakatayamakasa.com/
Official website (English) ↗

Area

Fukuoka & DazaifuFukuoka & Dazaifu weather & what to wear →

Tours & tickets for this eventPR

Highlights

The climax is the Oiyama at 4:59 in the early morning of the 15th. After the ‘Kushida-iri,’ when each float is carried into the grounds of Kushida Shrine, men race along an approx. 5 km course carrying the floats. The 13 kazari-yamakasa are tall floats with lavish figure decorations, and only the one on Kamikawabata-dori, the ‘running kazari-yamakasa,’ performs the Kushida-iri as an offering.

Times

Kazari-yamakasa (decorative floats) on displayJuly 1 to around midnight on July 15

On display at 13 locations around the city. As listed on the official website

Oiyama Narashi (rehearsal race)15:59

July 12, on an approx. 4 km course. Official 2026 schedule

Shudan Yamamise (group float display)15:30

July 13, Meiji-dori. Official 2026 schedule

Oiyama (main race)4:59

July 15. After the Kushida-iri, the floats race along an approx. 5 km course. Official 2026 schedule

Early-morning extra subway trainsAbout 3:00–5:00

July 15, on the Airport, Hakozaki and Nanakuma lines. Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau (2026)

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

✓The Oiyama starts at 4:59 in the early morning. On July 15, the Fukuoka City Subway runs extra trains from around 3:00 to 5:00 (2026 example)
✓The kazari-yamakasa can be seen at 13 locations around the city from July 1 until around midnight on the 15th. Walking around to Hakata Station, Canal City Hakata, Hakata Riverain, Kushida Shrine and others is recommended
✓For events such as the nagare-kaki runs on the 10th, 11th and 14th, the areas near each nagare’s float hut are good viewing spots (check the official course map)
✓The Shudan Yamamise on the 13th is held on Meiji-dori, and you can see the floats going and coming back
✓For viewing stand seats at Kushida Shrine, contact Kushida Shrine (092-291-2951)

Access

Getting there

Nearest stations: Kushida Jinja-mae Station (Subway Nanakuma Line)About 2 min on footNearest to Kushida Shrine
Gion Station (Subway Airport Line)About 6 min on foot
Nakasu-Kawabata Station (Subway Airport Line and Hakozaki Line)About 6 min on foot
From major stations: Hakata Station: Subway Nanakuma Line to Kushida Jinja-mae Station
Fukuoka Airport: Subway Airport Line to Gion Station
Extra buses & shuttles: In the early morning of July 15 (Oiyama), the Fukuoka City Subway runs extra trains on all lines (around 3:00–5:00 in 2026)
IC cards (Suica etc.): On the Fukuoka City Subway, you can use Hayakaken as well as nationally interoperable IC transit cards such as SUGOCA, nimoca, Suica, PASMO and ICOCA
Getting back: Traffic restrictions are in place during the festival, so the subway is recommended over driving
Stations get crowded after the Oiyama, so shift your return a little

Open in Google Maps ↗

Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times: The Oiyama in the early morning of July 15, the Oiyama Narashi on the 12th, and the Shudan Yamamise on the 13th
Quieter times: Touring the kazari-yamakasa from around July 1 to 9 (weekday daytime)
Time needed: A few hours in the early morning to watch the Oiyama. About half a day to tour the kazari-yamakasa

Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures: Fukuoka’s July normals are a high of 31.2°C and a low of 24.6°C. Even early mornings are hot and humid
What to wear: Breathable summer clothes. For touring the decorative floats in the daytime, protect against heatstroke with a hat, drinks and sunscreen
Rain, snow & typhoons: The first half of July is the rainy season. Check official announcements for cancellations or changes to events
Where to check for cancellations: Hakata Gion Yamakasa official website (https://www.hakatayamakasa.com/), Kushida Shrine (092-291-2951)

☁ Kyushu weather in July →

Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

!Do not obstruct the floats’ path or the bearers’ movements. Follow staff instructions along the route
!Do not touch the kazari-yamakasa or kaki-yamakasa
!Take your trash home
!At Kushida Shrine, bow once before the torii gate, and pray with two bows, two claps and one bow
!Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
!Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.

Facilities

Toilets: Use the toilets in stations and commercial facilities. Few facilities are open early in the morning, so go beforehand
Lockers & luggage: It’s best to leave large luggage at Hakata Station or elsewhere before going
ATMs: Convenience store ATMs around Hakata and Nakasu
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers: The Oiyama route gets crowded, so watching with a wheelchair or stroller may be difficult

Food

Local favorites: Hakata ramenMotsunabe (offal hot pot)Mentaiko (spicy cod roe)Nakasu yatai food stalls
Vegetarian & halal: Restaurants labeling vegetarian or halal options are limited, so it helps to look up nearby restaurants in advance

Tours & tickets for this eventPR

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Hakata Gion YamakasaPR

PRSee more places to stay near Hakata Gion Yamakasa on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Fukuoka & Dazaifu

Aquarium

Marine World Uminonakamichi

Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu

An aquarium themed on the seas of Kyushu, located at Uminonakamichi in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City. It mainly shows sea life from the four seas surrounding Kyushu, and also holds dolphin and sea lion shows and a penguin parade. From Hakata Station it's one transfer by JR, and you can also get there by boat from Bayside Place Hakata.

See all attractions →

Events