About the festival
Hita Gion Festival sends ornate floats through Mameda and the Kuma–Takeda districts. The separate station-front gathering has its own date.
Who is it for?
Visitors interested in float craft and historic merchant-town streets.
Photo: Mukai · CC BY-SA 3.0
Original date: 2013-07-27. Original image or Commons thumbnail; no additional edits.
Dates and times
Usually July; festival weekend announced by edition
Usual season; next dates not confirmed. Times use JST. See the official programme for session times and changes.
Venue and parade route
Hita · 日田
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.
豆田地区・隈地区・竹田地区
The map pin marks a reference venue, rather than every entrance or the full parade route.
Getting there by train or bus
- Take the JR Limited Express Yufu from Hakata to Hita or a Hita-bound highway bus. Choose the float district before walking from your arrival point.
What to see
- Ornate float structures
- District processions
- Separate station gathering
History and origins
For around 300 years, the festival has prayed for peace and protection from epidemics and floods.
Planning your visit
Our editorial suggestions for planning your trip.
Choose a district's float timetable instead of rushing between both; the station gathering is a different event.
Places to visit nearby
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.
These stops and the suggested order are editorial recommendations. Check each venue's opening hours and festival-day road closures before travelling.
Hita Gion Festival: common questions
When is Hita Gion Festival?
Usually July; festival weekend announced by edition This is the usual season, rather than a confirmed timetable for the next edition. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Where does Hita Gion Festival take place?
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.
How do I get to Hita Gion Festival by public transport?
Take the JR Limited Express Yufu from Hakata to Hita or a Hita-bound highway bus. Choose the float district before walking from your arrival point.
Are all Hita floats in Mameda?
No. Mameda and Kuma–Takeda are separate operating districts. The station-front gathering is also held on a separate date.
Official sources
Sources reviewed: .