Hakozakigu Hojoya Festival

About this event

Counted as one of the three major festivals of Hakata alongside spring Hakata Dontaku and summer Hakata Gion Yamakasa, 'Hojoya' is a traditional festival that has continued for over a thousand years at Hakozakigu in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City. Its purpose is to 'cherish all living things, admonish against taking life, and give thanks for the autumn harvest,' and approximately 1,000,000 worshippers visit every year. During the 7-day period, various Shinto rituals and entertainment events are held. Hundreds of stalls line the approach, offering festival gourmet food, goldfish scooping, yo-yo fishing, shooting games, and retro Showa-era haunted houses, with plenty of entertainment. Hakozakigu's specialty Shajitsumochi (grilled rice cake) is also popular. The Goshinko (portable shrine procession) held once every 2 years is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukuoka City. Hakozakigu ohajiki (lucky charms), made by Hakata doll craftsmen, are distributed at Hojoya. Hakozakigu is also famous as a deity of 'victory and warding off evil,' and many sports-related figures and worshippers visit.

Venue

Chikuzen Province Ichinomiya Hakozaki Shrine

1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-0053