Tall yamaboko floats move through Hita’s old streets to Gion music. Mameda and Kuma have separate routes; a station gathering, if scheduled, is another program item.
Photo: Mukai · CC BY-SA 3.0
Original date label: 2013-07-27. Original or supplied resized image; no additional editing.
Hita Gion Festival dates
Usually July; the festival weekend is announced for each edition
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
Hita · 日田
Mameda, Kuma and Takeda districts
豆田地区・隈地区・竹田地区
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, take a Yufu limited express to Hita or a highway bus from Hakata Bus Terminal. Choose the district before walking from your arrival point.
History and traditions
For about 300 years, the festival has expressed prayers against epidemics, storms and floods through neighborhood float traditions.
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.
Before you visit Hita Gion Festival
When is Hita Gion Festival?
Usually July; the festival weekend is announced for each edition. 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 Hita Gion Festival by public transportation?
From Hakata, take a Yufu limited express to Hita or a highway bus from Hakata Bus Terminal. Choose the district before walking from your arrival point.
What should I plan before visiting Hita Gion Festival?
Watch one district first instead of rushing between routes. Check whether a station gathering takes place on the same date as the main district processions.
These planning suggestions are JapanLiveNow’s editorial advice. Admission and operating arrangements follow the organizer’s current program.
Official program and visitor information
- www.city.hita.oita.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
- www.visit-oita.jp — 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.