Tall yamahoko floats move through Hita’s Mameda and Kuma old-town districts to Gion festival music. The two districts have separate routes, not one compact viewing area.
Hita Gion Festival dates
Usually July; festival weekend announced by edition
Usual annual timing
Dates and times use JST. Usual timing is not a confirmed next-edition schedule. Read the organiser’s programme for start times, tickets, postponements and cancellations.
Where to watch
Hita · 日田
Mameda and Kuma–Takeda districts; station-front gathering on a separate date
豆田地区・隈地区・竹田地区
Mameda and Kuma–Takeda have separate float routes and departure points. In 2026, the Hita Station gathering was on 19 July and the main festival on 25–26 July.
The directions below use one representative location, not every venue entrance or the complete procession route. Use the official venue map for your ticket or programme.
Getting there by train or bus
Take a Yufu limited express from Hakata to Hita, or a highway bus from Hakata Bus Terminal towards Hita. Choose your district before planning the walk after arrival.
Planning your visit
Select Mameda or Kuma using the float timetable. Do not confuse the station-front kaomise gathering with the main district processions.
This is an editorial travel suggestion, not a claim of a personal visit or a guarantee of the programme. When travelling from Canada, use your Japan arrival date to select the festival day.
What to look for
- Ornate float structures
- District processions
- Separate station gathering
History and traditions
For around 300 years, the festival has prayed for peace and protection from epidemics and floods.
Photo: Mukai · CC BY-SA 3.0. Original or supplied reduced image; no additional edits. See the original file for its date and context.
Nearby places to consider
Mameda-machi · 豆田町
Historic wooden buildings and shops in Hita's Mameda district.
Combine the old-town walk with Mameda floats; leave transport time if adding Kuma–Takeda.
The description and suggested visit refer to the first attraction listed. Other links are separate nearby options; festival traffic and opening hours may affect your plans.
Hita Gion Festival questions
When is Hita Gion Festival?
Usually July; festival weekend announced by edition. Usual annual timing is not confirmation of the next edition.
How do I reach Hita Gion Festival by public transport?
Take a Yufu limited express from Hakata to Hita, or a highway bus from Hakata Bus Terminal towards Hita. Choose your district before planning the walk after arrival.
Is Hita Gion only in Mameda?
No. Mameda and Kuma have separate float routes. Use the official movement schedule to choose the district you want to visit.
Official programme and sources
Shared source records reviewed October 3, 2026. Some official pages are in Japanese. JapanLiveNow’s English guide is independently edited; the organiser’s latest announcement takes precedence.