Hakata Gion Yamakasa, dedicated to Kushida Shrine, is Fukuoka’s most famous festival and has been celebrated for more than 780 years. Held annually from July 1 to 15, it is one of the city’s defining summer traditions, with locals often saying, “Summer begins when Yamakasa ends.” The 2026 festival marks its 785th year.
The festival is best known for two very different but equally impressive sights: the powerful Yamakasa float (Kakiyama), carried at full speed through the streets of Hakata by teams of men chanting “Oisa!,” and the towering Kazariyama (decorative floats) displayed throughout the city. Historically, the large decorative floats were also carried, but today Yamakasa is divided into these two distinct forms.
Often exceeding 10 metres in height, the kazariyama are monumental works of art created anew each year by master Hakata doll artisans. Their themes range from historical figures and legendary tales to contemporary subjects, with different stories depicted on the front and rear sides of each float. Rich in detail and craftsmanship, they reward close inspection, and many visitors enjoy comparing the unique designs found across the city.
In 2026, 13 kazariyama will be displayed at locations throughout Fukuoka. Two of these belong to Higashi Nagare and Nakasu Nagare, which also field kakiyama. The kakiyama of the festival’s seven participating nagare districts—Doi, Daikoku, Higashi, Nakasu, Nishi, Chiyo, and Ebisu—can also be viewed at their respective float houses whenever they are not taking part in festival events. For visitors, this offers a rare opportunity to appreciate both the scale and craftsmanship of the floats up close.
Locations
The kazariyama are unveiled across the city on July 1, marking the start of the festival. They remain on display throughout the two-week celebration before being dismantled following Oiyama, the festival’s climactic race held in the early hours of July 15. Walking through Hakata and comparing the different themes, craftsmanship, and stories depicted on each float is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Yamakasa.
Even after the festival ends, some kazariyama may continue to be displayed at locations such as Kushida Shrine, Kawabata Zenzai Square, Kyushu National Museum, and Fukuoka Airport International Terminal.
The 2026 kazariyama will be added to this guide once they are unveiled on July 1.
▷ Fukuoka Now Hakata Gion Yamakasa Map 2026（Google Map）
- Float #1 Nakasu Nagare
- Float #7 Higashi Nagare
- Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
- Float #9 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
- Float #10 Canal City Hakata
- Float #11 Kawabata Chuogai
- Float #12 Solaria
- Float #13 Shintencho
- Float #14 Hakata Riverain
- Float #15 Tenjin 1-Chome
- Float #16 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
- Float #17 Fukuoka Dome
- Extra Kushida Shrine
- Float #1 Nakasu Nagare
- Float #2 Nishi Nagare
- Float #3 Chiyo Nagare
- Float #4 Ebisu Nagare
- Float #5 Doi Nagare
- Float #6 Daikoku Nagare
- Float #7 Higashi Nagare
Kazariyama floats
Float #1 Higashi Nagare
- Location: In front of Hotel Resol Trinity Hakata
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 決戦一ノ谷 (Kessen Ichi no tani)
Doll Artist: Mizoguchi Toyo - Back: 海幸山幸譚 (Umisachi Yamasachi Monogatari)
Doll Artist: Nakamura Hiromine
Float #7 Higashi Nagare
- Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 壮士翔三國 (Soshi sangoku wo kakeru)
Doll Artist: Shiramizu Hideaki - Back: 壮士翔三國 (Soshi sangoku wo kakeru)
Doll Artist: Shiramizu Hideaki
Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
- Location: Kawabata Arcade
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 誉蒙古合戦武勲 (Moko kassen bukun no homare)
Doll Artist: Tanaka Isamu - Back: 積恋雪関扉 (Tsumoru koiyuki no seki no to)
Doll Artist: Tanaka Isamu
Float #9 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
- Location: in front of JR Hakata Sta.
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 激闘根白坂 (Gekito nejiro zaka)
Doll Artist: Tanaka Isamu - Back: ワンピース (One Piece)
Doll Artist: Nishikawa Naoki
Float #10 Canal City Hakata
- Location: Canal City Hakata
- Open: 7:00~24:00
- Front: 三国志 (Sangokushi)
Doll Artist: Kawasaki Shuichi - Back: 西遊記 (Saiyuki)
Doll Artist: Muroi Seitaro
Float #11 Kawabata Chuogai
- Location: Kawabata Arcade
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 勧進帳 (Kanjincho)
Doll Artist: Nakano Shinichi - Back: つくろう、ユニークな未来。 (Tsukuro, unique na mirai.)
Doll Artist: Nakano Hiroshi
Float #12 Solaria
- Location: Solaria Plaza
- Open: 10:00~20:00
- Front: 道明寺丞相名残之段 (Domyoji josho nagori no dan)
Doll Artist: Nishiyama Yoichi - Back: 筑紫君磐井 (Tsukushi no kimi iwai)
Doll Artist: Shimokawa Takashi
Float #13 Shintencho
- Location: Shintencho Arcade Meruhen Plaza
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 歌舞伎十八番暫 (Kabuki juhachiban shibaraku)
Doll Artist: Osoegawa Taro - Back: サザエさん (Sazae-san)
Doll Artist: Osoegawa Taro
Float #14 Hakata Riverain
- Location: Hakata Riverain
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 多々良浜之合戦 (Tatarahama no kassen)
Doll Artist: Nishiyama Yoichi - Back: 分福踊茶釜 (Bunbuku odoru chagama)
Doll Artist: Osoegawa Taro
Float #15 Tenjin 1-Chome
- Location: Hakata Daimaru Elgala Passage
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 此以和為貴 (Kore wa wo motte totoshi to nasu)
Doll Artist: Nakamura Shinkyo - Back: 祝賀の舞猩々乱 (Shukuga no mai shojo midare)
Doll Artist: Shiramizu Hideaki
Float #16 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
- Location: in front of Hotel New Otani Hakata
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 源平箙の梅 (Genpei ebira no ume)
Doll Artist: Nakano Shinichi - Back: 愛と勇気のアンパンマン (Ai to yuki no Anpanman)
Doll Artist: Nakano Hiroshi
Float #17 Fukuoka Dome
- Location: Mark Is Fukuoka Momochi 2F
- Open: 10:00~21:00
- Front: 真正鷹全新 (Shinsei taka zenshin)
Doll Artist: Nakano Hiroshi - Back: 山崎合戦兄弟絆 (Yamasaki kassen kyodai no kizuna)
Doll Artist: Kawasaki Shuichi
Extra: Kushida Shrine
- Location: Kushida Shrine
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 天下分目関ケ原 (Tenka wakeme no sekigahara)
Doll Artist: Tanaka Isamu - Back: 天晴金太郎 (Appare kintaro)
Doll Artist: Osoegawa Taro
Kakiyama floats
Float #1 Nakasu Nagare
- Location: In front of Hotel Resol Trinity Hakata
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 笑門福ノ神 (Shomon fuku no kami)
Doll Artist: Mizoguchi Toyo
Float #2 Nishi Nagare
- Location: 10 Reisenmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 辰巳風撃破赤壁 (Tatsumi no kaze sekiheki ni gekihasu)
Doll Artist: Nishikawa Naoki
Float #3 Chiyo Nagare
- Location: 5 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 成就天下三名槍 (Joju tenka sanmeiso)
Doll Artist: Kawasaki Shuichi
Float #4 Ebisu Nagare
- Location: 14 Kamigofukumachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 福海千尋深 (Fukukai senjin fukashi)
Doll Artist: Ningyoshi Buhei
Float #5 Doi Nagare
- Location: Kawabata Arcade
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 大聖不動尊 (Daisho fudoson)
Doll Artist: Tanaka Isamu
Float #6 Daikoku Nagare
- Location: Kawabata Arcade
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 清浄心 (Shojoshin)
Doll Artist: Nishiyama Yoichi
Float #7 Higashi Nagare
- Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
- Open: 24 hours
- Front: 志信義 (Shingi wo kokorozasu)
Doll Artist: Shiramizu Hideaki
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