Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Fukuoka · Float procession
Two weeks of ritual in Fukuoka that end with teams racing one-tonne floats through the streets at 4:59 in the morning.
Dates
1 to 15 July 2027
Held every year from 1 to 15 July, with the final race at dawn on the 15th.
What happens when
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 15 July 2027, 04:59 | Oiyama final race Seven teams leave Kushida shrine at five minute intervals and run five kilometres. | Kushida Shrine |
For the first two weeks of July, Hakata puts up decorative floats around the district that are far too tall to move, and then races entirely different ones. The kazariyama stand still and get photographed. The kakiyama, about a tonne each, get carried at a run by teams of men who change out mid-course. The finale is called Oiyama and it starts at 4:59 in the morning on 15 July. Seven teams leave Kushida shrine at five minute intervals and cover five kilometres through streets that are still dark at the start. It is over by about six, which means the whole thing happens before most of the city is awake.
Getting a good spot
Oiyama starts at 4:59, and the good spots along the course are taken from around three in the morning. Trains do not run that early, so plan to stay within walking distance or take a taxi.
Where it happens
Access
Common questions
When is Hakata Gion Yamakasa?
From 1 to 15 July every year. The part most people come for, the Oiyama race, is at 4:59 in the morning on 15 July.
Can you see the floats outside the race?
Yes. The tall decorative kazariyama stand around the district for the full two weeks and can be seen at any time of day, which is the easy option if the pre dawn start does not appeal.