Decorative yamakasa floats stand around Hakata, while teams race with carrying floats later in the festival. Viewing the displays by day is a different visit from attending the early-morning Oiyama.
Photo: ちょちょじ · CC BY 3.0
Original date label: 2008-07-15. Original or supplied resized image; no additional editing.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa dates
Usually July 1–15; Oiyama takes place early on July 15
Usual annual season · exact next dates not confirmed
Event dates and times use Japan Standard Time (JST). Usual annual dates are not a confirmed booking schedule for the next edition. Check the organizer’s notices for daily times, admission and weather-related changes.
Where to watch
Fukuoka · 福岡
Kushida Shrine and the streets of Hakata
櫛田神社・博多市街
The map marks one reference point, not the entire route or every entrance. For village rites or moving processions, use the organizer’s venue map.
View reference location on Google Maps ↗Getting there by train or bus
From Hakata Station, take the Nanakuma subway line to Kushida-jinja-mae, then walk to the shrine. Gion Station on the airport line is another option.
History and traditions
Tradition links the festival to the monk Enni sprinkling water to ward off an epidemic in 1241. Kushida Shrine and Hakata’s neighborhoods maintain the celebration.
Nearby places to consider
These sights can help you plan the rest of your visit. Check each location’s opening hours and access separately; festival road closures may affect the journey.
Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
博多町家ふるさと館
Before you visit Hakata Gion Yamakasa
When is Hakata Gion Yamakasa?
Usually July 1–15; Oiyama takes place early on July 15. These are the usual seasonal dates, not a confirmed schedule for the next edition. Check the linked organizer for times and changes.
How do I get to Hakata Gion Yamakasa by public transportation?
From Hakata Station, take the Nanakuma subway line to Kushida-jinja-mae, then walk to the shrine. Gion Station on the airport line is another option.
What should I plan before visiting Hakata Gion Yamakasa?
If the early-morning race is your priority, choose accommodation within walking distance: the first train may arrive too late. Decorative floats are an easier daytime option.
These planning suggestions are JapanLiveNow’s editorial advice. Admission and operating arrangements follow the organizer’s current program.
Official program and visitor information
- gofukuoka.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
- www.hakatayamakasa.com — official festival or destination information ↗
- www.hakatayamakasa.com — official festival or destination information ↗
- hakatamachiya.com — official festival or destination information ↗
This guide uses the shared festival source register reviewed on October 3, 2026. Official notices take priority over archive photos and previous editions.