Tobata Gion Oyamagasa
By night, daytime banner floats transform into 'lantern pyramids' — 12 tiers of 309 glowing lanterns swaying as bearers race them through Kitakyushu.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/07/25 09:30 – 2026/07/25
- Where
- Asao 1-go Park area, Tobata Ward, Kitakyushu（Tobata Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture）
- City
- Fukuoka
- Getting there
- About 10 min walk from JR Tobata Station.
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Tobata Gion Oyamagasa Promotion Council / Kitakyushu City
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- About 10 min walk from JR Tobata Station. 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, families, groups of friends
Highlights
- Competition (Kyoenkai) on July 25, 18:30–21:00
- Floats transform from banners by day to glowing lantern pyramids by night
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage float ritual
Background & story
Begun in 1803, this festival is one of Fukuoka's three great summer festivals and part of the UNESCO-listed Yamahoko float rituals of Japan.
Good to know
The lantern pyramids are best seen after dark at the July 25 competition; arrive early for a front view.