The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is an event dedicated to the guardian deity of Hakata, Kushida Shrine. This traditional festival in Fukuoka boasts a history of over 780 years and takes place annually from July 1 to 15. It is a symbol of early summer in the local community, with the saying that summer arrives once the Yamakasa ends. This year, 2025, marks the 784th celebration.
In the past, the festival featured a parade where participants competed in the extravagance of their Kazariyama (decorative floats). Nowadays, there is a distinction between the Kazariyama, which are for display, and the Kakiyama, which are carried through the town. Kazariyama can be as tall as 15 meters, though there are no strict height regulations. Each year, themes for the front and back of the floats are chosen based on historical figures or auspicious subjects, and they are crafted by skilled doll makers.
This year, among the seven groups that have Kakiyama (Doi, Daikoku, Higashi, Nakasu, Nishi, Chiyo, and Ebisu), the Higashi and Nakasu groups will also have Kazariyama. In addition, a total of 13 Kazariyama will be set up, primarily in the Hakata and Tenjin areas. When not being carried, the Kakiyama are stationed at the base of their respective groups, called Yamagoya, where they can be viewed by the public.
Kazariyama & Kakiyama Floats Display Locations
Each year, the design of every kazariyama is refreshingly unique, brought to life by the masterful skills of Hakata doll makers. Even though these awe-inspiring floats are deconstructed after the festival’s conclusion, fans of the festival and enthusiasts of these intricate works can enjoy kazariyama throughout the year. You’ll find these perpetual displays at several locations, including the Kyushu National Museum, Kawabata Zenzai Square, Kushida Shrine, and Fukuoka Airport International Terminal. These venues provide year-round opportunities to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship and intricate design of these traditional floats.
▷ Fukuoka Now Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival Map 2025 (Google Map)
Kazariyama (13)
Float #1 Higashi Nagare
Float #2 Nakasu Nagare
Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
Float #9 Fukuoka Dome
Float #10 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
Float #11 Canal City Hakata
Float #12 Kawabata Chuogai
Float #13 Solaria
Float #14 Shintencho
Float #15 Hakata Riverain
Float #16 Tenjin 1-Chome
Float #17 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
Extra Kushida Shrine
Kakiyama (7)
Float #1 Higashi Nagare
Float #2 Nakasu Nagare
Float #3 Nishi Nagare
Float #4 Chiyo Nagare
Float #5 Ebisu Nagare
Float #6 Doi Nagare
Float #7 Daikoku Nagare
Kazariyama floats
Float #1 Higashi Nagare
• Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #1 Higashi Nagare
Kazariyama title
• Front & back: 義士誓 (Gishi no Chikai)
Kakiyama title
• 凛 (Rin)
Float #2 Nakasu Nagare
• Location: In front of Hotel Resol Trinity Hakata
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #2 Nakasu Nagare
Kazariyama title
• Front: 呑取日本号 (Nomitori Nihon-go)
• Back: 鞍馬山剣術指南 (Kuramayama Kenjutsu Shinan)
Kakiyama title
• 豪傑黒田武士誉 (Gouketsu Kurodabushi no Homare)
Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
• Location: Kawabata Arcade (towards Kushida Shrine)
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
Kazariyama title
• Front: ヤマタノオロチ (Yamata no Orochi)
• Back: TVアニメ【推しの子】(TV animation Oshi no Ko)
Float #9 Fukuoka Dome
• Location: Mark Is Fukuoka Momochi 2F
• Open: 10:00~21:00
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #9 Fukuoka Dome
Kazariyama title
• Front: 鷹軍団唯一無二 (Takagundan Yuitsumuni)
• Back: 蒙古来 (Mouko Kitaru)
Float #10 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
• Location: in front of JR Hakata Sta.
• Open: 24hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #10 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
Kazariyama title
• Front: 決戦立花山 (Kessen Tachibanayama)
• Back: ワンピース (One Piece)
Float #11 Canal City Hakata
• Location: Canal City Hakata B1F Sunplaza Stage
• Open: 7:00~24:00
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #11 Canal City Hakata
Kazariyama title
• Front: 鎮西三雄博多護 (Chinzeisanyu Hakata wo Mamoru)
• Back: 北斎三十六景縁 (Hokusai Sanjurokukei no Enishi)
Float #12 Kawabata Chuogai
• Location: Kawabata Arcade
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #12 Kawabata Chuogai
Kazariyama title
• Front: 源平盛衰扇の的 (Genpei Seisui Oogi no Mato)
• Back: つくろう、ユニークな未来。(Tsukuro Yuniku na Mirai)
Float #13 Solaria
• Location : Solaria Plaza 1F
• Open: 10:00~20:00
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #13 Solaria
Kazariyama title
• Front: 決戦壇ノ浦 (Kessen Dannoura)
• Back: 宰府浦ノ城合戦 (Saifu Uranojo Kassen)
Float #14 Shintencho
• Location: Shintencho Arcade Marchen Plaza
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #14 Shintencho
Kazariyama title
• Front: 月華かぐや乃泪 (Gekka Kaguya no Namida)
• Back: サザエさん (Sazae-san)
Float #15 Hakata Riverain
• Location: Hakata Riverain
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #15 Hakata Riverain
Kazariyama title
• Front: 関ケ原長政武勲之誉 (Sekigahara Nagamasa Bukun no Homare)
• Back: 決闘巌流島 (Ketto Ganryujima)
Float #16 Tenjin 1-Chome
• Location: inside Hakata Daimaru Elgala Passage
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #16 Tenjin 1-Chome
Kazariyama title
• Front: 大乱弘安役 (Tairan Kouan no Eki)
• Back: 鬼ケ島 (Onigashima)
Float #17 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
• Location: in front of Hotel New Otani Hakata
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #17 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
Kazariyama title
• Front: 決戦岩屋城 (Kessen Iwayajo)
• Back: 愛と勇気のアンパンマン (Ai to Yuki no Anpanman)
Extra: Kushida Shrine
• Location: Kushida Shrine
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Extra Kushida Shrine
Kazariyama title
• Front: 倭建之西征 (Yamatotakeru no Seisei)
• Back: 船弁慶 (Funabenkei)
Kakiyama floats
Float #1 Higashi Nagare
• Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #1 Higashi Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 凛 (Rin)
Float #2 Nakasu Nagare
• Location: 3-7 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #2 Nakasu Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 豪傑黒田武士誉 (Gouketsu Kurodabushi no Homare)
Float #3 Nishi Nagare
• Location: 6-6 Reisen-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #3 Nishi Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 洗濯日本致申候 (Nippin wo Sentakuitashimoushisouro)
Float #4 Chiyo Nagare
• Location: 9 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #4 Chiyo Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 山姥母子絆 (Yamanba Oyako no Kizuna)
Float #5 Ebisu Nagare
• Location: 2 Tsunaba-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #5 Ebisu Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 神前一扇起清風 (Shinzen no Issen Seifu wo Okosu)
Float #6 Doi Nagare
• Location: Komondo-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #6 Doi Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 齊天大聖孫悟空 (Seiten Taisei Songoku)
Float #7 Daikoku Nagare
• Location: Komondo-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Open: 24 hours
• Hakata Gion Yamakasa official web page: Float #7 Daikoku Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 百雑碎 (Hyakuzassai)
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