Guide

Held every year on May 3 and 4, the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival is Fukuoka’s largest annual event. Its origins date back more than 850 years to the traditional Hakata Matsubayashi. The name “Dontaku” is believed to come from the Dutch word Zondag (holiday).

Each year, the festival attracts more than two million visitors. It unfolds across the city, centered on parades along Meiji-dori and performance stages set up throughout Fukuoka. Participants range from student marching bands and sports teams to company and community groups forming “Dontaku teams.” In recent years, it has also become common to see new employees joining as part of company participation.

Hakata Dontaku Port Festival
Dates: May 3~4, 2026
Eve Festival: May 2
Locations: Central Fukuoka (Meiji-dori, Hakata Station, Tenjin, Daimyo)
Organizer: Fukuoka Citizens’ Festival Promotion Association (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Follow the official X

How to Enjoy Dontaku

Dontaku takes place across central Fukuoka, with easy access between venues on foot from Hakata Station and Tenjin Station. There is also a long-standing saying that “Dontaku brings rain.” Some events may be adjusted or canceled in wet weather, but the festival atmosphere carries on throughout the city.

Participation in parades and stage performances requires advance registration via the official website, usually opening in mid-December. For those who want to take part, the final day features a large-scale open dance where anyone can join.

Festival Schedule

Eve Festival (May 2)
A stage event held the day before the main festival at key venues.

Opening Ceremony (May 3)

Hakata Matsubayashi (May 3~4)
A traditional procession featuring the Three Lucky Gods—Fukujin, Ebisu, and Daikoku—on horseback. Departing from Kushida Shrine, the procession visits shrines, temples, and historic residences across the city.

Dontaku Parades (May 3~4)
A procession along Meiji-dori from Gofukumachi to Tenjin. Traffic restrictions are in place during scheduled times, and the parade can be viewed from along the route.

Dontaku Flower Marching Bands (May 4)

Special Guest Parade Groups (May 3~4)

Hakata-ekimae Dontaku Street (May 3~4)

Flower Cars (May 2~4)

Performance Stages (May 3~4)
Multiple stages are set up across the city center, where different groups perform in rotation. The scale and program vary by location.

Grand Finale Dance (May 4)
A participatory dance held on the final day, open to anyone who wishes to join.

Dontaku Trivia

• Dontaku Symbols (Shamoji, Niwaka Mask, Flower Hat)
• Dontaku Song “Bonchikawaiya”
• Official Goods

Dontaku Event

Eve of ceremony

As the festival kicks off the next day, the citizens of Fukuoka, the Fukuoka Citizens’ Festival Promotion Association, and other Dontaku supporters will gather to celebrate the opening of Dontaku. The event will commence with a performance by the Police Band and the entrance ceremony of Hakata Matsubayashi. This will be followed by a children’s dance and a performance by the previous year’s winning Dontaku team. This year’s special guest is the singer Hitomi Shimatani.

• 5/2 (Sat): doors open 16:00~ ceremony begins 17:00~20:30
• Venue: Festival main stage (Fureai Hiroba, Fukuoka City Hall)
• Free viewing
https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/eve-of-festival/

 

Opening Ceremony

The Fukuoka City Mayor, along with festival organizers, makes opening remarks to kick off the festival.

• 5/3 (Sun, hol)
• 11:00~11:30
• Venue: Main stage in front of Hakata Sta. (JR Hakata Sta.)
https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/ceremony/

 

Hakata Matsubayashi Parade

Considered the origin of Hakata Dontaku, Hakata Matsubayashi is a traditional folk event with a history of around 850 years, preserving the atmosphere of medieval performing arts. It began as a New Year custom, with costumed participants visiting shrines, temples, and prominent households to present dances and music as a gesture of celebration. Today, the procession is led by the Three Lucky Gods—Fukujin, Ebisu, and Daikoku—riding on horseback, followed by children in ceremonial dress and other performers. On May 3, it moves through the Hakata area; on May 4, it continues through the Fukuoka area. As the procession makes its way through the city, it sets the tone for the festival—Hakata Dontaku officially begins with Matsubayashi at its head.

*Routes and current locations can be checked in real time.

• 5/3 (Sun, hol), 5/4 (Mon, hol)
• 9:00~17:00
• Venue: Departs from Kushida Shrine (1-41 Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka)
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/matsubayashi/

Kyushu Live – Hakata Dontaku – Matsubayashi Parade (May 3, 2023)

 

Dontaku Parades

Along a 1,270-meter stretch of Meiji-dori, between Gofukumachi and Tenjin, Donkaku troupes will parade in a variety of festive costumes. Paid bleacher seating is available at Suijo Park, offering a slightly elevated view that’s ideal for watching the colorful parade—and perfect for photography.

• 5/3 (Sun, hol) 13:05~19:00, 5/4 (Mon, hol) 14:05~19:00
• Dontaku Hiroba (Gofuku-machi intersection ~ Fukuoka City Hall)
https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/program/parade/

Kyushu Live – Dontaku Parade (May 3, 2023)

 

Dontaku Flower Marching Bands

Marching bands from kindergartens, schools, universities, and community groups take to the streets, filling the route with lively performances and coordinated displays.

• 5/4 (Mon, hol)
• 14:10~15:40 (parade), 15:30~17:20 (festival)
• Venue: Dontaku Hiroba (Meiji-dori Ave.), Festival main stage (Fureai Hiroba, Fukuoka City Hall)
https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/marching/

 

Special Guest Parade Groups

Participants come from across Japan, including Kurume, Yanagawa, and Saikai, as well as from overseas. This year, groups from Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar are joined by India for the first time. Festivals from Japan and abroad take part in the Dontaku parade, creating opportunities for cultural exchange.

• 5/3 (Sun, hol) 14:31~, 5/4 (Mon, hol) 15:10~
• Venue: Dontaku Hiroba (Meiji-dori Ave.)
Parade schedule

 

Hakata-ekimae Dontaku Street

A stretch of Hakata Ekimae-dori, about 150 meters from the Hakata Ekimae 2-chome intersection, transforms into a lively street performance zone during the festival. This year, a record 42 groups—around 2,300 participants in total—will take part over the two days.

• 5/3 (Sun, hol) 9:30~around 10:45, 5/4 (Mon, hol) 9:30~11:55
• Venue: Hakata Ekimae-dori
https://hakata-machi.jp/bustles/4964/

 

Flower Cars

First introduced to Dontaku in 1949, the “Flower Cars” are one of the festival’s most recognizable features. These large vehicles are decorated with around 10 million LEDs and artificial flowers, each year reflecting themes drawn from current events and popular culture.

This year’s themes:
• Marine World Uminonakamichi: “Amami Forest Guardian ‘Habu’ on display! A new life-filled forest opens!”
• Toy Story 5: “30 years since its Japan release—Toy Story returns to cinemas”
• Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks & Avispa Fukuoka: “Take flight toward the top!”

Three vehicles, powered by environmentally friendly next-generation biodiesel fuel, will travel across the city, reaching areas such as Meinohama and Nishijin.
Real-time locations can be checked via the “Nishitetsu Flower Car Navi.”

• 5/2 (Fri) ~ 5/4 (Sun, hol)
• 5/2: 15:55~19:35, 5/3: 10:00~20:25, 5/4: 10:20~21:00
• 5/2: 15:55~19:35, 5/3: 10:56~20:25, 5/4: 10:05~21:00
• Course: Around the city of Fukuoka
https://www.nishitetsu.jp/livingservice/hanaji/

 

Stage Performances

Around 30 performance stages are set up across Fukuoka City, where Dontaku groups present dances alongside a wide range of stage events. This year, new venues include the “Tenjin One Building Stage” and the “Nishinippon City Building Stage” in front of Hakata Station.

• 5/3 (Sun, hol), 5/4 (Mon, hol)
• Hours vary according to each performance
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/stage/
Stage map

 

Grand Finale: So Odori

The festival closes with the Grand Dance, where anyone can join in. Step in and be part of the celebration.

• 5/4 (Mon, hol)
• 17:50~18:20
• Venue: Gofuku-machi, Nakasu-Kawabata, Suijo Park (head office), Dontaku Hiroba
https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/soodori/

 

Hakata Dontaku Trivia

Dontaku Symbols

The Symbol: Shamoji (Rice Paddle)
Participants parade through the streets while clapping shamoji. The custom is said to have begun when shopkeepers, busy preparing meals, joined passing festival music by striking the rice paddles they were holding. Today, it remains the festival’s most recognizable symbol.

The Symbol: Niwaka Masks
“Niwaka” masks are half-face masks used in Hakata Niwaka, a traditional comedic performance. Known for its Hakata dialect wordplay and improvised punchlines, it brings a layer of humor to the festival. Its origins are said to date back to the early Edo period under the Kuroda domain.

The Symbol: Hanagasa
Many participants, especially women, wear decorative flower hats known as hanagasa while parading and clapping shamoji. While the exact origin is unclear, they became widely adopted during the postwar revival of the festival.

Dontaku Song
The Dontaku theme song “Bonchikawaiya” has seven verses but we’ve limited ourselves to including just the first one. Sing along as the parade passes and stun the locals with your knowledge of all things Dontaku!

“Bonchi Kawaiya Nenneshiya
Shinagawajoroshu wa Jumonme
Jumonme no Teppodama
Tamaya ga kawa e Supponpon”

If you’re interested, read about the history of the Dontaku song here!

Official Goods
Original Dontaku goods will be on sale, such as special Dontaku edition Hakata wood charms (kifuda), folding fans (sensu) designed by well-known, Hakata-born graphic designer Isao Nishijima, writing paper (ippitsusen) and more. Great for souvenirs!

• Fukuoka Citizen’s Festival, 50th Anniversary book: ¥2,500 (limit 500 books)
• Original Hakata wood charm (kifuda): ¥500/pc
• Writing paper (ippitsusen): ¥300/pc
• Illustrated postcards: ¥450/set (5 pcs.)
• Hand towel (tenugui): ¥500/pc
• Wooden spoon (shamoji) w/ illustration: ¥1,000/set (2 pcs.)
• Wooden spoon (shamoji) w/ burnt seals: ¥500/set (2 pcs.)
• Original folding fan (sensu): ¥2,000/pc
• Hakata Dontaku Festival Original CD: ¥1,000
• 63rd & 64th Commemorative Wooden Plaque: ¥770
• Mugs: ¥3,000 / ¥4,000

Sold during the festival period at the Dontaku information counters in the following locations:
• JR Hakata Station Tourist Information Center 9:00~18:00
• Tenjin Special Information Center (Dontaku Hiroba, in front of ACROS Fukuoka)) 5/3 11:00~19:00, 5/4 12:00~19:00
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/goods/

 

Last updated April 2026.
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