Japanese festival traditions in the Kyushu and Okinawa areas

ゴールデンウィークに開催される
福岡博多を代表するお祭り

It is held in Fukuoka City for just two days every year, on May. 3rd and 4th (the eve of the festival is held on May. 2nd), and is the largest festival in Japan, attracting approximately 2 million people from all over the country every year.
Highlights include the parade through Dontaku Square, flower carts, and dance performances on about 40 stages set up around the city! The entire city is filled with excitement as this is one of the largest festivals in Japan, with all citizens participating.

*There are no box seats available. Please enjoy the show at your own pace.
*In the event of rain or bad weather, parts of the parade may be canceled.

国の重要無形民族文化財
熱き鼓動が響く夏の九州へ！

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa signals the arrival of summer in the city of Hakata, Fukuoka.
Boasting a tradition dating back over 760 years, Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a sacred ritual dedicated to Kushida Shrine, the guardian deity of Hakata, and is also a designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

On Jul. 1st, gorgeously decorated floats (Shizuka no Yamakasa) are displayed all over Fukuoka city, and the streets of Fukuoka are transformed into a Yamakasa festival, marking the start of a 15-day period in which stillness and movement collide in a magnificent display.

Water is splashed vigorously on the men carrying the floats, all wearing traditional traditional attire, as they carry the float, weighing up to one ton, yelling bravely, "Oisass! Oisass!"
The sight of the float being pushed vigorously from behind and racing through the streets of Hakata is full of tension and speed.

The graceful "Thousand Lantern Dance" - a thousand lanterns swaying fantastically... a seasonal summer event in Yamaga

Yamaga Lantern Festival is a festival held at Omiya Shrine in Yamaga Onsen, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
It is counted as one of the most representative annual events Kumamoto Prefecture. It opens with the "decoration of votive lanterns" on Aug. 15th and closes with the "hanging lanterns."
It was around 1954 that a few people started dancing, carrying "golden lanterns" made only from paper and glue on their heads.
The current style of the Sennin Toro Dance began around 1956.
The most exciting day of the festival is on Aug. 16th, when the "Thousand Lantern Dance" takes place on the grounds of Yamaga Elementary School, marking the climax of the festival.
The sight of a thousand women carrying golden lanterns on their heads dancing to the folk song "Yoheho Bushi" is truly breathtaking.
A thousand lights spread through the darkness, flowing and flickering like a whirlpool around the tower, and mysterious time passes...
The sight of women in yukata dancing gracefully exudes a nostalgic and beautiful Japanese atmosphere, transporting the viewer to a fantastical world.

Welcoming the Princess with a spectacular fleet

The Munakata Taisha Shrine's Autumn Festival, held every year from Oct. 1st to 3rd, is the shrine's largest festival of the year. The most impressive of these festivals is the Miare Festival, a maritime procession held on Oct. 1st.
The Miare Festival is a ceremony in which the three Munakata Goddesses come together to hold the Autumn Grand Festival, and go to welcome Tagorihime-no-kami of Okitsu-miya on Okinoshima, a World Heritage Site, and Tagitsuhime-no-kami of Nakatsu-miya on Oshima. Local fishermen put together a large fleet and hold a parade.

長崎の氏神「諏訪神社」の秋季
大祭寛永11年（1634年）開始とされる伝統のお祭り

It is said that the Nagasaki Kunchi festival began in 1634 when two courtesans dedicated the Noh song "Komai" to Suwa Shrine.
Since then, with the support of the Nagasaki Magistrate, the festival has grown more popular each year, and the votive dances have incorporated many exotic themes, earning it a reputation as a magnificent festival since the Edo period.
This votive dance has been designated as a nationally important intangible folk cultural property.

平成28年にユネスコ無形文化遺産にも登録
毎年11月2・3・4日に開催される唐津神社の秋季例大祭

Karatsu Kunchi is the largest event in Karatsu, held every Nov. as the annual autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine. "Kunchi" can also be written as "Kujitsu" and is a festival that expresses gratitude for the harvest. This "Karatsu Kunchi" was designated as an Important Tangible Cultural Property of Saga Prefecture in 1958, and as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1980.

The sight of colorful balloons taking off into the blue sky is breathtaking!

The Saga International Balloon Fiesta is an international balloon (hot air balloon) festival (competition tournament) held at the main venue on the banks of the Kase River in Saga City, Saga Prefecture.
Approximately 100 balloons will participate! Over 800,000 people will come to see the event during the event! The main venue will be the Kase River riverbed, and various events will be held, including balloons of animals and anime characters, and balloon competitions.