{"id":72329,"date":"2026-09-01T10:21:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T01:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?post_type=feature&p=70669"},"modified":"2026-09-01T17:05:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T08:05:10","slug":"hojoya-guide","status":"publish","type":"guide","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/guides\/hojoya-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Hakozaki Shrine Hojoya Festival 2026 Guide | History, Stalls & Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Held every year for seven days and seven nights from September 12 to 18, Hakozaki Shrine\u2019s Hojoya Festival is one of Hakata\u2019s three major festivals, alongside Hakata Dontaku in spring and Hakata Gion Yamakasa in summer. With a history stretching back more than 1,000 years, it is one of Fukuoka\u2019s defining festivals of early autumn.<\/p>\n

At the heart of Hojoya is the idea of cherishing all living things and giving thanks for the many lives that sustain us in our daily lives. Shinto rituals and traditional performing arts are presented throughout the festival, while around 500 stalls line the roughly 1 km approach extending straight from Hakozaki Shrine toward the sea.<\/p>\n

Alongside festival favorites such as candied apples and grilled squid are shooting galleries, goldfish scooping and even old-fashioned haunted houses, now rarely seen at Japanese festivals. Hojoya also has its own distinctive traditions, including freshly harvested ginger sold with its leaves still attached, Hojoya chanpon glass toys and ceramic ohajiki. During the day, visitors can take their time exploring the shrine grounds and rituals, while from dusk the stalls light up and the approach becomes increasingly lively. Experiencing how the festival changes from day to night is part of Hojoya\u2019s appeal.<\/p>\n

Every other year, in odd-numbered years, Hojoya also includes Gojinko, a major procession centered on portable mikoshi shrines. There is no Gojinko in 2026, but shrine rituals, kagura, Hakata spinning-top performances, Japanese drumming and other traditional offerings continue throughout the seven days. Knowing something of the festival\u2019s meaning before walking through the hundreds of stalls can make the familiar scene look a little different. From Hojoya\u2019s history and 2026 highlights to its rituals, performances, traditions and access information, Fukuoka Now introduces the festival in detail.<\/p>\n

\nHakozaki Shrine Hojoya Festival 2026 Guide<\/strong>
\nPresented by Hakozaki Shrine<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hojoya

Photo: Fukuoka City<\/p><\/div>\n

Hakozaki Shrine Hojoya Festival<\/H5><\/p>\n