The yamakasa float
Over 10 metres.
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A Shinto shrine in the heart of Fukuoka's old Hakata district, Hakata's guardian shrine for centuries, affectionately called «Okushida-san» by locals. Shrine tradition dates its founding to 757. It is tied to the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, held for about 800 years in the first half of July, when teams of men race heavy wooden floats through the streets; it was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016. For most of the year a huge decorated yamakasa float, more than ten metres tall and topped with brightly coloured figures of warriors and legends, stands in the grounds. There is also an old ginkgo, stone lanterns and a Hakata-bei wall built of old stone and brick. Entry is free. It is a few minutes' walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station and close to Canal City Hakata, and pairs easily with a walk through old Hakata.
Over 10 metres.
The float race.
Old stone and brick.
Kami-Kawabata-machi, Hakata ward, Fukuoka
In the first half of July, peaking with an early-morning float race; the rest of the year a decorated float stands in the shrine grounds.