🏮 Hakozaki Hojo E

筥崎宮放生会

Fukuoka (Hakozaki Shrine) · Every year on 12 September

MikoshiFood stalls

363 days to go
Rooms around Fukuoka fill up while the festival is on.

Hakozakigu Hojoe, held at Hakozakigu Shrine in Fukuoka City from September 12 to 18, is one of Hakata's three great festivals, alongside Hakata Dontaku in spring and Hakata Gion Yamakasa in summer. It is a festival that cherishes all life, prohibits killing, and gives thanks for the autumn harvest. Many street stalls line the approach, and over the seven days a total of one million people visit, making it Kyushu's foremost autumn festival. The festival's origin lies in a divine oracle that said, 'Since many living things have been killed in battle, you should conduct a hojoe (rite releasing living creatures).' It has continued for over a thousand years as Hakozakigu Shrine's most important ritual. Over the seven days and seven nights, a Hojoe memorial service is held to give thanks to all living things and to pray for business prosperity and household safety. In particular, the Gojinko (portable shrine procession), held in odd-numbered years of the Western calendar, is designated a Fukuoka City Intangible Folk Cultural Property. On September 12, the 'Okudari' and on the 14th, the 'Oagari,' about 500 parishioners form a solemn procession that parades in front of JR Yoshizuka Station and Hakozaki Elementary School, among other places.

Getting there

Immediately on foot from Hakozaki Miyamae Station on the Subway Hakozaki Line. 10 minutes on foot from JR Hakozaki Station. Parking available (entrance and exit from National Route 3).