Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Fukuoka's adrenaline-fueled finale: teams race one-ton festival floats through the dawn streets of Hakata.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/07/15 04:59 – 2026/07/15
- Where
- Kushida Shrine & Hakata, Fukuoka（1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka）
- City
- Fukuoka
- Getting there
- Near Gion or Nakasu-Kawabata Stn
- Price
- Free
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Near Gion or Nakasu-Kawabata Stn Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, groups of friends
Highlights
- The 'Oiyama' float race at 4:59am on July 15
- Towering decorative floats displayed citywide
- Men in traditional shimekomi sprinting in teams
- Lead-up events: Oiyama-narashi practice race (July 12, 3:59pm) and Shudan-yamamise float parade (July 13, 3:30pm)
Background & story
With over 780 years of history, Hakata Gion Yamakasa began as a prayer against plague and is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Good to know
The climactic Oiyama race starts before 5am on July 15 — arrive in the dark to secure a viewing spot along the course. If you can't make the 4:59am finale, the July 12 practice run (Oiyama-narashi, 3:59pm) and July 13 float-showing parade (Shudan-yamamise, 3:30pm) are a good afternoon alternative with a smaller crowd. Confirmed July 15 run order (Nakasu runs first as a non-competing guest float): Nakasu 4:59, Nishi 5:05, Chiyo 5:10, Ebisu 5:15, Doi 5:20, Daikoku 5:25, Higashi 5:30, Kamikawabata 5:35.