Festivals in Kyushu you should never miss

Festivals in Kyushu you should never miss

Kyushu is an island located in the southwest of Japan, and it is known for its long history, dating back further than the third century, and for its rich natural landscapes, and its scrumptious cuisine.

One of the must-see highlights of this island is its local festivals, which are called “matsuri” in Japanese, and to give you more information about them, we’ve come up with four festivals in Kyushu you should never miss!

Index : Festivals in Kyushu you should never miss

1. Hojoya
2. Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival
3. Hakata Dontaku Port Festival
4. Nagasaki Lantern Festival

1. Hojoya

Hojoya is a local festival held in Hakozaki Shrine, Fukuoka, that celebrates all living creatures. The festival’s history dates back to over 1000 years ago.

The festival lasts from September 12 to September 18, with an omikoshi paraded throughout the city on the 12th, and more than a hundred doves and carp are released on the 18th, representing all living creatures.

There are also a lot of stalls offering local treats like grilled chicken skewers, cold beers, souvenirs like plastic masks, and activities like traditional candy making, or goldfish catching games. You can wear yukata and participate in this cheerful festival when you’re in the area.

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2. Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

Hakata Gion Yamasaka Festival is said to originate from the legend of the founder of Jotenji Temple, who scattered sacred water on the street to get rid of the plague attacking Fukuoka.

The festival lasts from July 1 to July 15, involving floats over 10 meters high, displayed at 14 spots around the town. The peak of the festival is around 17:00 on July 15, with people playing Japanese traditional drums and men carrying the Yamakasa float, dashing out with full speed into the streets in Hakata.

This vibrant festival is designated as a national intangible folk heritage by the Japanese government.

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3. Hakata Dontaku Port Festival

Hakata Dontaku Port Festival is a festival held annually from May 3 to May 4, and the origin of this festival dates back 830 years ago when the merchants of Hakata developed a festival called Dontaku from a traditional ritual called Hakata Matsubayashi.

The word “Dontaku” is derived from the Dutch word Zontag, which means holidays, and the main highlight is the brisk Dontaku parade that goes 1230 meters along Meiji Street stretching from Gofuku-machi to Tenjin. There are around 30 stages set up around the city during this festival, offering the festival atmosphere to the whole city.

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4. Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Nagasaki Lantern Festival is held in February, particularly over the first fifteen days of the Chinese New Year, and during this period, Nagasaki is decorated with colourful and vibrant lanterns, parades, and performances.

The festival makes the city alive not only with its colourful lights but also with its energetic traditional music as well, involving performances by amateurs and professional artists.  One of the most impressive performances you can see is the Jaodori, a show involving acrobatic dragon lion dances with changing masks.

The mask magic of Jaodori is performed by skilled performers, who can change from one mask to another mask with a simple hand wave.

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