What’s on in Fukuoka
Festivals, fireworks, markets. What is happening in Fukuoka and Kyushu now, and what is coming. Please check the source page for the latest dates.
📍 宗像大社 · 宗像
The opening rite of the autumn festival at Munakata Taisha, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hundreds of fishing boats, dressed with banners, cross the Genkai Sea to escort the deities of Okinoshima and Oshima to the mainland. This sea procession happens on one day a year.
見物無料
📍 諏訪神社ほか市内各所 · 長崎
The autumn festival of Suwa Shrine, held since 1634 and designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Its dedication dances carry visible traces of Nagasaki’s Chinese and Dutch trade — the dragon dance and the boat dances are the ones to see. About two hours from Fukuoka by limited express.
一部の桟敷席は有料
Experiences you can book during these dates
📍 櫛田神社 · 博多
The autumn festival of Kushida Shrine, the guardian shrine of Hakata, giving thanks for the harvest. A portable shrine and a children’s procession move through the old town. It draws far smaller crowds than Yamakasa, which means you can watch from close up.
見物無料
Experiences you can book during these dates
📍 嘉瀬川河川敷 · 佐賀
One of Asia’s largest hot-air balloon competitions. Around a hundred balloons lift off together from the riverbed at dawn. A temporary JR station opens for the event, and it is about 40 minutes from Fukuoka by limited express. Worth the early start.
入場無料
Experiences you can book during these dates
📍 唐津神社ほか市内各所 · 唐津
The autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine. Fourteen enormous lacquered floats — a sea bream, a samurai helmet, a dragon — are hauled through the streets to flute and drum. On other days the floats can be seen in the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall. About 90 minutes from Fukuoka by train.
見物無料
Experiences you can book during these dates
📍 明治通りほか市内各所 · 博多・天神
For two days over Golden Week, stages appear all over the city. Anyone can join a dontaku troupe — companies, schools and neighbourhood associations all march, clapping rice scoops in time. It is known as one of the most heavily attended festivals in Japan.
見物無料
📍 櫛田神社ほか博多の町全体 · 博多
A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Decorated floats go up across Hakata from 1 July, and in the small hours of the 15th, teams of men in traditional loincloths race one-tonne floats through the streets. Before dawn, in a dark city, there is nothing but shouting and flying water. The fifteen days most worth travelling for.
見物無料（櫛田神社の桟敷席は有料）
If you are in Fukuoka around these dates, you might also spend half a day with a local host.
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