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 770 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, 2024, marks the 783rd celebration.
In the past, the festival featured a parade where participants competed in the extravagance of their Kazariyamakasa (decorative floats). Nowadays, there is a disti∂nction between the Kazariyamakasa, which are for display, and the Kakiyamakasa, which are carried through the town. Kazariyamakasa 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 Kakiyamakasa (Doi, Daikoku, Higashi, Nakasu, Nishi, Chiyo, and Ebisu), the Higashi and Nakasu groups will also have Kazariyamakasa. In addition, a total of 13 Kazariyamakasa will be set up, primarily in the Hakata and Tenjin areas. When not being carried, the Kakiyamakasa 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 2024 (Google Map)
Kazariyama (13)
Float #2 Higashi Nagare
Float #3 Nakasu Nagare
Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
Float #9 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
Float #10 Fukuoka Dome
Float #11 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
Float #12 Canal City Hakata
Float #13 Kawabata Chuogai
Float #14 Solaria
Float #15 Shintencho
Float #16 Hakata Riverain
Float #17 Tenjin 1-Chome
Extra Kushida Shrine
Kakiyama (7)
Float #1 Daikoku Nagare
Float #2 Higashi Nagare
Float #3 Nakasu Nagare
Float #4 Nishi Nagare
Float #5 Chiyo Nagare
Float #6 Ebisu Nagare
Float #7 Doi Nagare
Kyushu Live
Yamakasa Festival 2024 – Day 1- The Decorative Floats Unveiled! (July 1, 2024)
Kazariyama floats
Float #2 Higashi Nagare
Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
Open: 24 hours
Access: Near Gofukumachi Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #2 Higashi Nagare
Kazariyama title
• Front & back: 御伽話かぐや姫 (Otogibanashi Kaguya Hime)
Kakiyama title
• 祈博多平安 (Inoru Hakata no Heian)
Float #3 Nakasu Nagare
Location: in front of Hotel Resol Trinity Hakata
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #3 Nakasu Nagare
Kazariyama title
• Front: 奇襲桶狭間 (Kishu Okehazama)
• Back: 能登等伯天賦才 (Noto no Touhaku Tenbu no Sai)
Kakiyama title
• 災禍払義辰馬簾 (Saika Harau ha Gitatsu no Baren)
Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
Location: Kawabata Arcade (towards Kushida Shrine)
Open: 24 hours
Access: 3 min. on foot from Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #8 Kamikawabata-dori
Kazariyama title
• Front: 不惜身命真田幸村公 (Fushakushin Sanada Yukimurakou)
• Back: ガンダム 博多迅雷伝 (Gundam Hakata Jinraiden)
Float #9 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
Location: in front of Hotel New Otani Hakata
Open: 24 hours
Access: 10 min. on foot from Tenjin-minami Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #9 Watanabe-dori 1-Chome
Kazariyama title
• Front: 真田十勇士 (Sanada Juyushi)
• Back: 愛と勇気のアンパンマン (Ai to Yuki no Anpanman)
Float #10 Fukuoka Dome
Location: Mark Is Fukuoka Momochi 2F
Open: 10:00~21:00
Access: 15 min. on foot from Tojinmachi Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #10 Fukuoka Dome
Kazariyama title
• Front: 美破鷹之誉 (Biba Takano Homare)
• Back: 武魁神剣誉 (Buno Sakigake Shinken no Homare)
Float #11 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
Location: in front of JR Hakata Sta.
Open: 24hours
Official web page: Float #11 Hakataeki Shoten Rengokai
Kazariyama title
• Front: 商都博多偉人伝 (Shoto Hakata Ijinden)
• Back: ワンピース (One Piece)
Float #12 Canal City Hakata
Location: Canal City Hakata B1F Sunplaza Stage
Open: 7:00~24:00
Access: 10 min. on foot from Nakasu-Kawabata or 3 min. on foot from Kushida Shrine Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #12 Canal City Hakata
Kazariyama title
• Front: 刀伊入寇隆家勲 (Toi Nyukou Takaie no Isaoshi)
• Back: 光源氏胡蝶舞宴 (Hikaru Genji Kochomai no Utage)
Float #13 Kawabata Chuogai
Location: Kawabata Arcade (in front of Caffe Veloce)
Open: 24 hours
Access: Near Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #13 Kawabata Chuogai
Kazariyama title
• Front: 八俣遠呂智 (Yamata no Orochi)
• Back: つくろう、ユニークな未来。(Tsukuro Yuniku na Mirai)
Float #14 Solaria
Location : Solaria Plaza 1F
Open: 10:00~20:00
Access: 5 min. on foot from Tenjin Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #14 Solaria
Kazariyama title
• Front: 黒田鍋島天神大普請 (Kuroda Nabeshima Tenjin Big Bang)
• Back: 菅公西下創造多故事 (Kanko no Saika Ooku no Koji wo Umu)
Float #15 Shintencho
Location: Shintencho Arcade Marchen Plaza
Access: 3 min. on foot from Tenjin Subway Sta.
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #15 Shintencho
Kazariyama title
• Front: 武門之棟梁清盛 (Bumon no Toryo Kiyomori)
• Back: サザエさん (Sazae-san)
Float #16 Hakata Riverain
Location: Hakata Riverain
Access: Near Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Sta.
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #16 Hakata Riverain
Kazariyama title
• Front: 日本振袖始 (Nihon Furisode no Hajime)
• Back: 呑取日本号 (Nomitori Nippongo)
Float #17 Tenjin 1-Chome
Location: inside Hakata Daimaru Elgala Passage
Open: 24 hours
Access: 5 min. on foot from Tenjin Subway Sta.
Official web page: Float #17 Tenjin 1-Chome
Kazariyama title
• Front: 大江山酒呑童子 (Ooeyama no Shuten Doji)
• Back: 嗚呼壮烈岩屋城 (Ah Souretsu Iwayajo)
Extra: Kushida Shrine
Location: Kushida Shrine
Open: 24 hours
Access: 1 min. on foot from Kushida Shrine Subway Sta.
Official web page: Extra Kushida Shrine
Kazariyama title
• Front: 鏑矢一箭 抜 日輪 (Kaburaya Issen Nichirin wo Nuku)
• Back: 鎮 大鯰要石 (Oonamazu Shizumeru Kanameishi)
Kakiyama floats
Float #1 Daikoku Nagare
Location: 10-5 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #1 Daikoku Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 真骨頂 (Shinkoccho)
Float #2 Higashi Nagare
Location: Gofukumachi Business Center
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #2 Higashi Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 祈博多平安 (Inoru Hakata no Heian)
Float #3 Nakasu Nagare
Location: 3-7 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #3 Nakasu Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 災禍払義辰馬簾 (Saika Harau ha Gitatsu no Baren)
Float #4 Nishi Nagare
Location: 1 Naraya-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #4 Nishi Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 夢遥望大海 (Yume Haruka ni Taikai wo Nozomu)
Float #5 Chiyo Nagare
Location: 1-17 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #5 Chiyo Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 轟 (Todoroki)
Float #6 Ebisu Nagare
Location: 9-23 Shimogofuku-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #6 Ebisu Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 眼光照破四天下 (Ganko Shitenga wo Shohasu)
Float #7 Doi Nagare
Location: 7 Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Open: 24 hours
Official web page: Float #7 Doi Nagare
Kakiyama title
Front: 忠勇無双漢 (Chuyu Muso no Otoko)
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