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Hakata Gion Yamakasa Kazariyama Guide 2023

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a time-honored tradition that takes place in Fukuoka, is a celebrated annual event with a history extending over 770 years. Every year, from July 1st to 15th, the festival emerges as the most anticipated early summer event. In 2023, we’ll be commemorating the 782nd iteration of this extraordinary celebration.

In the festival’s early days, Yamakasa floats would parade through the city, competing for attention with their extravagant beauty. These floats are annually crafted by skilled artisans who choose unique themes for both the front and back of the float. These themes are typically inspired by historical figures or subjects considered to bring good luck.

This year, two of the seven Nagare (Doi, Daikoku, Higashi, Nakasu, Nishi, Chiyo, and Ebisu) tasked with carrying Yamakasa floats, namely Higashi and Nakasu, will also carry decorative Yamakasa. Moreover, visitors will enjoy a total of 13 ornamental floats stationed at 11 strategic locations around Hakata and Tenjin.

Note that when the Kakiyama float is not in procession, it is positioned at the base of the stream, referred to as Yamagoya, where it can be viewed by the public.

Every year, the Kazariyama floats are unveiled to the public on July 1st, signaling the start of the festival. As soon as these floats are open for public viewing, the Fukuoka Now team will photograph the floats and promptly update this page. We invite you to anticipate and share in the excitement of the festival’s public opening!

Hakata Gion Yamakasa culture and festival highlights in English and Japanese
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Guide
Presented by Ishimura Manseido

Kyushu Live – Yamakasa Begins! – Decorative Floats Unveiled! Yamakasa Day 1, 2023 / 博多祇園山笠2023 飾り山笠 (July. 1 2023)
https://www.youtube.com/live/rdhAhak4UzA?feature=share

 

Kazariyama & Kakiyama Floats Display Locations

Each year, the design of every kazariyama is refreshingly unique, brought to life by the masterful skills of Hakata doll makers. Even though these awe-inspiring floats are deconstructed after the festival’s conclusion, fans of the festival and enthusiasts of these intricate works can enjoy kazariyama throughout the year. You’ll find these perpetual displays at several locations, including the Kyushu National Museum, Kawabata Zenzai Square, Kushida Shrine, and Fukuoka Airport International Terminal. These venues provide year-round opportunities to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship and intricate design of these traditional floats.

Kazariyama
Float #3 Higashi Nagare
Float #4 Nakasu Nagare
Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
Float #9 Tenjin 1-Chome
Float #10 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
Float #11 Fukuoka Dome
Float #12 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
Float #13 Canal City Hakata
Float #14 Kawabata Chuogai
Float #15 Solaria
Float #16 Shintencho
Float #17 Hakata Riverain
Extra Kushida Shrine

Kakiyama
Float #1 Doi Nagare
Float #2 Daikoku Nagare
Float #3 Higashi Nagare
Float #4 Nakasu Nagare
Float #5 Nishi Nagare
Float #6 Chiyo Nagare
Float #7 Ebisu Nagare

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival Map 2023
(recommended viewing points, locations of floats, courses)


View the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival Map on this larger map

In commemoration of the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, a special Yamakasa festival float will be on display this year at the main venue of the event, Marine Messe Fukuoka.

Title: Wishing for Calm Seas All Around the World

The subject of the float is Shoichi Kokushi, a monk from the Kamakura period who is said to have inspired the tradition of the Yamakasa festival. There’s a popular story which states that when the town of Hakata was on the brink of famine, Saint Ichi mounted a palanquin on poles and sprinkled holy water while praying. This act is said to have ended the famine, and hence, it’s considered as the origin of the Yamakasa tradition.

Designed to portray a brave figure and as suggested by the title, this Yamakasa is built with a hope for worldwide peace. The float will be displayed at the Marine Messe, welcoming athletes and spectators from all over the world. Its size is 1.5 times the height of a regular Yamakasa float.

Kazariyama floats

Float #3 Higashi Nagare

Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
Open: 24 hours
Access: Near Gofukumachi Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #3 Higashi Nagare

Kazariyama
• Front: 真田十勇士 (Sanada Juyushi)Front: 真田十勇士 (Sanada Juyushi)

• Back: 真田十勇士 (Sanada Juyushi)Back: 真田十勇士 (Sanada Juyushi)

Kakiyama
武覚悟乃六文銭 (Mononofu Kakugo no Rokumonsen)

Float #4 Nakasu Nagare

Location: in front of Hotel Resol Trinity Hakata
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #4 Nakasu Nagare

Kazariyama
• Front: 長政関ヶ原之勇 (Nagamasa Sekigahara no Yu)Front: 長政関ヶ原之勇 (Nagamasa Sekigahara no Yu)
• Back: 桃太郎之誉 (Momotaro no Homare)Back: 桃太郎之誉 (Momotaro no Homare)

Kakiyama
龍鬼願安寧 (Ryuki Annei wo Negau)

Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori

Location: Kawabata Arcade (towards Kushida Shrine)
Open: 24 hours
Access: 3 min. on foot from Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori

• Front: 歌舞伎十八番押戻 (Kabuki Juhachiban Oshimodoshi)Front: 歌舞伎十八番押戻 (Kabuki Juhachiban Oshimodoshi)

• Back: 外郎売 (Uirouri)Back: 外郎売 (Uirouri)

Float #9 Tenjin 1-Chome

Location: inside Hakata Daimaru Elle Gala Passage
Open: 24 hours
Access: 5 min. on foot from Tenjin Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #9 Tenjin 1-Chome

• Front: 天下布武勲 (Tenkahubu no Isaoshi)Front: 天下布武勲 (Tenkahubu no Isaoshi)

• Back: 長良川合戦 (Nagaragawa Kassen)Back: 長良川合戦 (Nagaragawa Kassen)

Float #10 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome

Location: in front of Hotel New Otani Hakata
Open: 24 hours
Access: 10 min. on foot from Tenjin-minami Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #10 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome

• Front: 智将勇躍の誉 (Chisho Yuyaku no Homare)Front: 智将勇躍の誉 (Chisho Yuyaku no Homare)

• Back: 愛と勇気のアンパンマン (Ai to Yuki no Anpanman)Back: 愛と勇気のアンパンマン (Ai to Yuki no Anpanman)

Float #11 Fukuoka Dome

Location: Mark Is Fukuoka Momochi
Open: 10:00~21:00
Access: 15 min. on foot from Tojinmachi Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #11 Fukuoka Dome

• Front: 鷹 鷹 鷹 躍動 (Ou Ou Ou Yakudo)Front: 鷹 鷹 鷹 躍動 (Ou Ou Ou Yakudo)

• Back: 徳川四天王 (Tokugawa Shitenno)Back: 徳川四天王 (Tokugawa Shitenno)

Float #12 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai

Location: in front of JR Hakata Sta.
Open: 24hours
Official web page: Float #12 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai

• Front: 家康太平志 (Ieyasu Taihei wo Kokorozasu)Front: 家康太平志 (Ieyasu Taihei wo Kokorozasu)

• Back: ピタッと。TNC 開局六十五周年 (Pittato TNC Kaikyoku 65 Shunen)Back: ピタッと。TNC 開局六十五周年 (Pittato TNC Kaikyoku 65 Shunen)

Float #13 Canal City Hakata

Location: Canal City Hakata B1 Sunplaza Stage
Open: 7:00~24:00
Access: 10 min. on foot from Nakasu-Kawabata or Gionmachi Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #13 Canal City Hakata

• Front: 龍虎決戦川中島 (Ryuko Kessen Kawanakajima)Front: 龍虎決戦川中島 (Ryuko Kessen Kawanakajima)

• Back: 音二郎一世風靡 (Otojiro Isseifubi)Back: 音二郎一世風靡 (Otojiro Isseifubi)

Float #14 Kawabata Chuogai

Location: Kawabata Arcade (towards Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Sta.)
Open: 24 hours
Access: Near Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #14 Kawabata Chuogai

• Front: 曾我の夜討 (Soga no Youchi)Front: 曾我の夜討 (Soga no Youchi)

• Back: いよいよ!世界水泳福岡 (Iyoiyo Sekai Suiei Fukuoka)Back: いよいよ!世界水泳福岡 (Iyoiyo Sekai Suiei Fukuoka)

Float #15 Solaria

Location : Solaria Plaza
Open: 10:00~20:00
Access: 5 min. on foot from Tenjin Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #15 Solaria

• Front: 合戦四條畷 (Kassen Shijonawate)Front: 合戦四條畷 (Kassen Shijonawate)

• Back: 桜花爛漫花咲爺 (Oukaranman Hanasakajiji)Back: 桜花爛漫花咲爺 (Oukaranman Hanasakajiji)

Float #16 Shintencho

Location: Shintencho Arcade
Access: 3 min. on foot from Tenjin Subway Sta.
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #16 Shintencho

• Front: 龍王兎伝説 (Ryuo Usagi Densetsu)Front: 龍王兎伝説 (Ryuo Usagi Densetsu)

• Back: サザエさん (Sazae-san)Back: サザエさん (Sazae-san)

Float #17 Hakata Riverain

Location: Hakata Riverain
Access: Near Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Sta.
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #17 Hakata Riverain

• Front: 龍虎相討川中島 (Ryuko Aiutsu Kawanakajima)Front: 龍虎相討川中島 (Ryuko Aiutsu Kawanakajima)

• Back: 風雲戦国世到来 (Fuun Sengokunoyo Torai)Back: 風雲戦国世到来 (Fuun Sengokunoyo Torai)

Extra: Kushida Shrine

Location: Kushida Shrine
Open: 24 hours
Access: 7 min. on foot from Gionmachi Subway Sta.
Official web page: Extra Kushida Shrine

• Front: 歌舞伎十八番暫 (Kabuki Juhachiban Shibaraku)Front: 歌舞伎十八番暫 (Kabuki Juhachiban Shibaraku)

• Back: 神話八俣遠呂智 (Shinwa Yamatanoorochi)Back: 神話八俣遠呂智 (Shinwa Yamatanoorochi)

Kakiyama floats

Float #1 Doi Nagare

Location: 5 Tenyamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #1 Doi Nagare

Front: 黒田筑前守長政(Kuroda Chikuzennokami Nagamasa)

Back: 黒田筑前守長政(Kuroda Chikuzennokami Nagamasa)

Float #2 Daikoku Nagare

Location: 3-1 Shimokawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka (in front of Hakata Riverain)
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #2 Daikoku Nagare

Front: 薫風来 (Kunpurai)

Float #3 Higashi Nagare

Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #3 Higashi Nagare

Front: 武覚悟乃六文銭 (Mononofu Kakugo no Rokumonsen)

Float #4 Nakasu Nagare

Location: 3-4 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #4 Nakasu Nagare

Front: 龍鬼願安寧 (Ryuki Annei wo Negau)Front: 龍鬼願安寧 (Ryuki Annei wo Negau)

Float #5 Nishi Nagare

Location: 3 Abamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #5 Nishi Nagare

Front: 強弓一箭裂鬼神 (Gokyu Issen Kijin wo Saku)

Float #6 Chiyo Nagare

Location: 3-4 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #6 Chiyo Nagare

Front: 日輪幸慶博多照 (Nichirin Koukei Hakata wo Terasu)Front: 日輪幸慶博多照 (Nichirin Koukei Hakata wo Terasu)

Back: 俊豪誓約清明証 (Shungo Ukei Seimei no Akashi)Back: 俊豪誓約清明証 (Shungo Ukei Seimei no Akashi)

Float #7 Ebisu Nagare

Location: 6-27 Shimogofukumachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #7 Ebisu Nagare

Front: 青天白日怒雷奔 (Seiten Hakujitsu Dorai Hashiru)

Note: The information shared here has been diligently collected and summarized by the dedicated staff of Fukuoka Now. While we strive to maintain accuracy, there may still be inadvertent errors or details that have since changed. If you identify any inaccuracies or recent changes, we urge you to contact us.

All content, including text, photos, and illustrations, are copyrighted by Fukuoka Now. Any reuse in any form requires our explicit permission. However, you are more than welcome to link to this page to share the excitement and traditions of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.

Category
Events
Seasonal Guide
Fukuoka City
Published: Jun 21, 2023 / Last Updated: Jul 11, 2023

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