The Great Purification Rite (Oharai), a Shinto ceremony held in June and December, is performed to cleanse the sins and impurities accumulated over the previous six months and to pray for good health and well-being during the months ahead. At Hakozaki Shrine (Hakozaki-gu), the formal Great Purification Ceremony takes place on Jun 30, followed by the Nagoshi Festival in late July, corresponding to the end of the sixth month of the traditional lunar calendar. A large ring woven from cogon grass (chinowa) is installed within the shrine grounds, and visitors pass through it as a symbolic act of purification. Offering a chance to experience a centuries-old Shinto tradition firsthand, the festival is one of Fukuoka’s seasonal summer highlights.
During the festival, around 50 food and game stalls line the shrine approach as part of the “Natsu da! Matsuri da! Festival!” event. Visitors can enjoy a variety of festival foods, including Hakozaki Shrine’s famous Yakimochi rice cakes (yakimochi), while taking in the lively fair atmosphere. Combining sacred rituals with a traditional festival marketplace, this long-running event remains a favorite among local residents.
- Jul. 25, 2026 (Sat) 16:00~22:00, Jul. 26, 2026 (Sun) 12:00~21:00
- Free entry
- Hakozaki Shrine
- 1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
- Website
