Fukuoka Local Customs

Cows are the traditional labor of the fields, and therefore a revered animal. They can bring fortune, health and prosperity.

It is considered a good look omen to pet the cow, particularly on their heads. There are statues hiding all over the area, mostly at historic points of interest.

The photo shown here is outside of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
From Fukuoka, take Nisheitetsu-Dazaifu local train from Futsukaichi Station. From Dazaifu, it is ~5 minute walk. Maps and directions are prevalent in Dazaifu area.

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Hojoya, is one of Hakata’s three main festivals, held in September in Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka-city, and is a celebration of living creature with a history of over 1000 years.
Hundred of doves and carp will be released on September 18 in reverence of loving things, and a solemn mikoshi ( shrine) procession take place on the 12th.
Most visitors are usually happy just to amble about, doing little more than munch on grilled food, gulp cold beer and amuse themselves with traditional sugar-cutting or goldfish catching games.
Join the cheerful crowd in colorful yukatas and experience a rare, unhurried slice of old-time Fukuoka.

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The name Dontakuis a corruption of the Dutch word Zontag, meaning Sunday.
The festival is said to have started as a New Year parade of merchants going to the local lord’s residence to celebrate is held on May 3 and 4 in Hakata.
About 30,000 of local townspeople take part, and its attractions include the traditional
Matsuribayashi parade, a fancy-dress parade and a shamoji band.
Matsuribayashi is a parade of children and adults in traditional dress, led by the three gods Fuku-no-Kami, Ebisu and Daikoku, on horseback.
The kasahoko, a float that forms part of the Matsuribayashi parade.
It is believed in Fukuoka that babies carried under the
kasahoko will grow up strong and healthy.
The shamoji band parade around the town beating time with shamoji, the wooden spatulas used for serving rice.

Tamaseseri, a lively New Year’s Festival held on January 3, in Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka-city, and is a traditional form of fortune-telling.
Several hundred men wearing lion cloths compete on piggy-back in two teams, the “sea” team and the “land” team” team, for possession of a wooden ball.
If the sea team wins, a bountiful fishing catch is predicted for the year; if the land team wins a rich harvest is predicted.

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Hakata-ningyo dolls are unglazed bisque dolls made of painted fired clay.

They often depict beautiful women and children, or characters from famous Noh play.
They are popular for their graceful curves.

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Hakata-za, is a theater for Kabuki play, musicals, Takarazuka Revue and variety of other shows that are performed monthly.
Hakata-za, is located in the Hakata Riverain in Nakasu, and is one of most popular destinations in Fukuoka-city.

Why don’t you watch Japanese traditional play Kabuki?

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A Short walk from Nakasu-kawabata Subway Station.

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Hakata Gion Yamagasa, is a summer festival in Hakata Fukuoka, takes place from July 1 to 15, held at Kushida Jinsha.

During the festival, large floats called Kazariyama decorate Fukuoka's streets, and early in the morning of the 15th the Oiyama is held, where men race through the street carrying one-ton "portable shrines."

A spectacle that must be seen to be believed.

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Hakata Machiya is a folk museum shows the life and culture of Hakata Fukuoka.

1)Exhibition hall, you can find the many faces of the Hakata way of life.

2)Machiya hall, the superb example of traditional architecture has been moved here and restored to provide a glimpse into the past.

3)Souvenir hall, you can pick up traditional craft items here as gifts and souvenirs.

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- A 5 minute walk from Gion Subway Station.