Editorial photo #13921949 Human Interest

Decorative Hakata Gion Yamakasa Floats On Display In Fukuoka

A towering Kazariyama float stands outside the rear entrance of HAKATA RIVERAIN MALL in Fukuoka, Japan, on July 3, 2026. Several iconic Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival floats are on display at various locations throughout Hakata Ward. Dating back about 785 years, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival is inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is held annually from July 1 to July 15. Each year, ningyo artists design and create new festival floats for Hakata's traditional districts. The festival features two types of floats: Kakiyama, which are carried through the streets during races and processions, and Kazariyama, which are monumental decorative floats displayed for public viewing. Thirteen Kazariyama floats, standing approximately 10 to 15 meters tall and depicting elaborate historical and legendary scenes, have been unveiled at locations including Kushida Shrine, JR Hakata Station Square, shopping malls, and shopping arcades, where visitors stop to admire them and take photographs. (Photo by Ryo Chi/NurPhoto)