The Gion Festival, a vibrant celebration taking place across various parts of Kitakyushu, comes alive in July. In Kokura, the heart of Kitakyushu City, preparations commence for the historic Kokura Gion Taiko Drum Festival. This summer tradition has been carried on for more than 400 years, with the resonant drumming reverberating throughout the city as practice begins.
The festival’s main performance is scheduled for three days around the third Saturday of July. What sets the Kokura Gion Daiko Festival apart is the unique double-sided drumming, a practice rare in Japan. The pinnacle of the festival is the seamless harmony between the grandeur of the float decorations and the powerful beat of the taiko drums, creating a compelling spectacle for attendees.
• 7/14 (Fri.) ~ 7/16 (Sun.)
• Free viewing
• Kokura Castle area
• 2-1 Jonai, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• http://kokuragiondaiko.jp/
