Fukuoka Festivals

Fukuoka is home to many festivals that are held throughout the year. Of these, the most famous are Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamagasa.Fukuoka Festivals - Yamakasa Yamakasa, held for two weeks each July, is Fukuoka’s oldest festival with a history of over 700 years. Teams of men (no women, except small girls, are allowed), representing different districts in the city, race against the clock around a set course carrying on their shoulders floats weighing several thousand pounds. Participants all wear “shimekomi” (called “fundoshi” in other parts of Japan), which are the loin cloths worn by Sumo wrestlers. Each day of the two-week festival period is marked by special events and practice runs, culminating in the official race that takes place the last morning before dawn. Tens of thousands line the streets to cheer on the teams. During the festival period, men can be seen walking around many parts Fukuoka in long “happi” coats bearing the distinctive mark of their team affiliation and traditional “Geta” sandles. The costumes are worn with pride and are considered appropriate wear for even formal occasions, such as weddings and cocktail parties, during the festival period. Fukuoka Festivals - Hakata Dontaku Hakata Dontaku (博多どんたく) is held in Fukuoka city on May 3rd and 4th. Boasting over 800 years of history, Dontaku is attended by more than 2 million people, making it the Japanese festival with the highest attendance during Japan’s Golden Week holidays. During the festival, stages are erected throughout downtown for traditional performances and a parade of floats is held. Its full proper name is Hakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri (博多どんたく港まつり). The festival was stopped for 7 years during the Meiji era, and since it was restarted in the 12th year of the Meiji era it has been known as Hakata Dontaku. Fukuoka Hotel Looking for Fukuoka Accommodation? Please support our site by using our hotel reservation system where you find one of the largest range of Fukuoka Hotel and at heavily discounted rates. Article based on Wikipedia article and used under the GNU Free Documentation License) |