Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
4.5
About
Held annually between July 1st and 15th, this is one of Hakata's signature festivals, along with Hakata Dontaku. There are various opinions concerning its origin, but many believe it started in 1241 when the monk Shoichi Kokushi sprinkled holy water to get rid of diseases. For this festival, floats similar to portable shrines called yamakasa are built up high with countless banners and dolls. For safety, the shoulder-carried floats called kaki yamakasa used for transporting people are three meters high. On the first day, cordoning ropes are dropped (a cleansing event in the style of the region) and the ritual of inviting deities into the yamakasa begins. On the 10th, the floats finally start their parade called the nagare kaki, and the festival really heats up.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
88 reviews
Excellent
51
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34
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3
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Pugs
Brisbane Region, Australia32 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Hakata is a ward in Fukuoka, and the city is a little gem. I had no idea what to expect, as I arrived by ferry (Queen Beetle) from Busan, South Korea and only expected an overnight stop, but the city is charming with so many interesting things to see and experience. It's an easy city to navigate, with lots of little gems around every corner, with the loveliest people and amazing food. There's some great temples to visit (including the one that holds the huge wooden Buddha (in the Tōdai-ji), plus loads of great places to eat, explore and experience this wonderful seaside town. Oh and my experience going to the airport was amazing as the bus driver between the terminals was the nicest man ever, so polite, helpful and the perfect example of the lovely people. Hakata and Fukuoka, such a wonderful surprise and really a great way to start my first trip to Japan :)
Written September 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ETflyer
Fukuoka, Japan41,847 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
This year, July 15th was a national holiday, so I initially thought I'd get up early to see this one, but the weather forecast made it more likely that it would rain, so I went to see the mass mountain store the day before. Hakata Festival Gion Yamakasa is the only day to enter Tenjin in Fukuoka district. As soon as it started, unfortunately it started raining, but I was able to see it in two places: at the intersection of Across Corner and at Best Denki/City Hall. I could feel the heat right next to me.
Automatically translated
Written July 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Go H
Los Angeles, CA22 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Stayed at an apartment through airbnb and the balcony was facing this annual matsuri! The races between the competitors start around 4:30am and last about 30 mins. The experience was unbelievable and if you ever get a chance to see it, do it.
Written October 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gekidan
Dumaguete City, Philippines82 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival runs for the 1st 2 weeks of July when the weather is very hot and humid. If you're in Fukuoka, don't miss it. Yes, it's full of local butts and loincloths but it's a great community activity that binds neighbors and friends, sons and fathers as they lift and trudge the heavy effigy. It's a very masculine festival (lot's of sexy half-naked men.) Don't let the prudishness of Western society mar your experience. There is no malice in this cool activity. Unlike the slow and elegant parades of Kyoto or Nikko, Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a merchant class festival- raucous, loud, energetic and wet. If the photographer Tamotsu Yato is still alive, he will approve.
Anyway, once you land in Fukuoka, get some info from the Tourist info center at Hakata Station or in Tenjin as to the schedule and locations of each activity leading to the early morning run on the 15th. The free guidebooks have them too.
Each group has its own charm. And if you're into photography, you will enjoy the action shots and the amount of people in each group.
On the 15th, make sure to come early. 4am will have many people lining on the streets already (even though the trains/subways will not start running til 530am). Either get a taxi (711 staff can help) or book a hotel near the matsuri route preferably near Kushida Shrine.
If you want more souvenirs on Hakata Gion, there's a shop near the Hakata handicraft center that sells them.
Anyway, once you land in Fukuoka, get some info from the Tourist info center at Hakata Station or in Tenjin as to the schedule and locations of each activity leading to the early morning run on the 15th. The free guidebooks have them too.
Each group has its own charm. And if you're into photography, you will enjoy the action shots and the amount of people in each group.
On the 15th, make sure to come early. 4am will have many people lining on the streets already (even though the trains/subways will not start running til 530am). Either get a taxi (711 staff can help) or book a hotel near the matsuri route preferably near Kushida Shrine.
If you want more souvenirs on Hakata Gion, there's a shop near the Hakata handicraft center that sells them.
Written August 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BestRegards FromFar
Cape Town Central, South Africa674 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
We were lucky enough to visit the Kushida shrine during the Yamakasa festival. We really enjoyed it: the peaceful yet lively atmosphere, the beautiful buildings, the huge Yamakasa. It was nice to observe a bit.
Bestregardsfromfar
Bestregardsfromfar
Written July 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia34,635 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
The most famous Gion festival takes place in Kyoto where I have planned a stay for these days. However, it doesn’t mean that space and time constraints cannot be neglected. As at the carnival in Brazil, the Gion festival requires a lot of props - huge boats that are made in advance and placed in anticipation of the climax. They are placed in a large gallery on the Nagasu island. Of course, you will not witness the festival in reality, but looking at the boat and turn on the imagination, you will be transported a couple of days ahead.
Written May 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PKRV
Bangkok, Thailand575 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We were lucky to be in Fukuoka during the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival (the first two weeks of July). There are several events leading up the the race by the teams so if you want to know more then search online as there is lots of information to help you make the most of this.
Definitely a fun and entertaining city festival unique to Fukuoka and a glimpse into another aspect of Japanese culture.
Make sure you catch at least some of it if you happen to be in town in early July.
Definitely a fun and entertaining city festival unique to Fukuoka and a glimpse into another aspect of Japanese culture.
Make sure you catch at least some of it if you happen to be in town in early July.
Written September 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tour759193
Singapore, Singapore112 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
The Festival last about 15 days from early July (for practice runs) to final race on 15 July 2019. The race starts 4.59am but don't bother going to the starting Kushida Shrine unless you arrive a few hours ahead of the other thousands there. Many other good spots along the way but these 'd also be fully occupied by 4am.
7 teams competing 5 min apart, each with hundreds of supporting runners boys and men even young kid girls in their unique Japanese costume. Tremendous atmosphere with sound, claps, colour and sight for about 45 min.
Beware of over spilled splashing water so get protection for your cameras. Japanese crowd are very polite and orderly and they cheer enthusiastically every team that comes by. I was standing next to a splash station and was given homemade rice dumplings by a friendly local lady manning the station.
Don't miss it, people come to Hakata all over the world just to enjoy the fun.
7 teams competing 5 min apart, each with hundreds of supporting runners boys and men even young kid girls in their unique Japanese costume. Tremendous atmosphere with sound, claps, colour and sight for about 45 min.
Beware of over spilled splashing water so get protection for your cameras. Japanese crowd are very polite and orderly and they cheer enthusiastically every team that comes by. I was standing next to a splash station and was given homemade rice dumplings by a friendly local lady manning the station.
Don't miss it, people come to Hakata all over the world just to enjoy the fun.
Written July 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wing6rider
Canberra, Australia1,101 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We came across an item from the festival at the Kushida Shrine. See photos. It is enclosed in a tall weather proof structure and looks very impressive.
Its title is "Significant Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of the Country". Definately worth a look! YMMV
Its title is "Significant Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of the Country". Definately worth a look! YMMV
Written August 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
noodlelover57
Kailua-Kona, HI33 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
The Hakata Gion Yamakasa Matsuri runs from July 1st to July 15. The last day is the day that you will want to be there. You can pick up a map of the route at the information center at the train station in various languages. Many of the other days are when practices by the various teams are being held. The event starts from the Kushida Shrine at 4:59 am on July 15. Be prepared for the crowds at the start of the race. Once the race begins, each team will begin 5 minutes apart. You will have time to position yourself at another view point since the route is a couple of blocks long. Be prepared for a lot of walking. It is a lot of fun to watch. It was the first time we visited Fukuoka and we truly enjoyed it. Went special to see the festival.
Written July 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi is the Hakata Matsuri worth a visit July 2-4 date range or is it only worth the trip later toward the end?
Written May 31, 2018
Hi! We will be in Hakata on July 6 . Will there be a parade on this day? Where will it start or where will it pass?
Written April 9, 2016
Sorry for the late response. Kakiyama (group running) is held on 10 (evening), 11 (morning and evening), 12 (3:59 PM), 13 (3:30 PM), 14 (evening), and 15 (4:59 AM) every year. Route is generally similar each day. It may be changed for the traffic control. Map can be available at various places.
Written July 28, 2016
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