On January 7th, the Jinjitsu-no-sekku, also known as the Human Day Festival, is celebrated. During this festival, people gather seven varieties of young greens, symbolizing the infusion of new vitality and the aspiration for a prosperous harvest and robust health. This day is traditionally marked by eating a special porridge made with these seven herbs, serving as a gentle reprieve for the stomach after indulging in New Year’s feasts. At Gokoku Shrine, the Nanakusa Festival commemorates this tradition. Here, the seven herbs are ceremoniously offered to the deity, invoking prayers for protection against misfortune and the maintenance of good health. In a unique twist, attendees at the shrine receive seven-herb rice cakes as a substitute for the customary porridge. These are presented in sets of two, along with a charm, for ¥500, and are available in limited quantities.
• 1/7 (Sun.)
• 10:00~
• Gokoku Shrine
• 1-1-1 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• http://fukuoka-gokoku.jp/about.html