Overview
Fukuoka offers a host of spring celebrations and those visiting the prefecture will find plenty to do. Read on to discover some of the best festivals the prefecture has to offer.
Yanagawa Sagemon Festival (柳川さげもんめぐり)
February 11th - April 3rd @ Yanagawa city
Just as signs of spring begin to emerge, the residents of Yanagawa in Fukuoka Prefecture generously decorate the municipality with sagemon - colorful ornaments of good luck symbols sewn on vertical threads. This is done by grandparents and relatives of locally-born baby girls in order to pray for the good health and success of these female newborns. The aim of the festival is to celebrate and appreciate this heartwarming practice.
Kyokusui-no-en Festival (曲水の宴まつり)
1st Sunday of March @ Dazaifu Tenmangu, Dazaifu city
This festival near the famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, positioned under a 6000-strong plum grove, dates back to the Heian period (794-1185). Waka poets would often sit beside the stream under the trees to pen some of their finest work. However, there was a catch! Cups of sake would be floated down the stream, and if one were to pass a poet by, they would have to complete their poem and drink the sake. Be sure to arrive early so you can get a good view of this local tradition and glimpse (tipsy) poets at their best.
Akizuki Spring Festival (秋月春まつり)
First Sunday of April @ Asakura city
This festival sees residents from various areas of the town don their iconic yukatas for a parade through the local streets. People sing and rejoice as they visit the different parts of the town while accompanied by music. A junior high school near Umezono Park also holds a taiko drum performance for all to enjoy. This is the perfect example of a local festival in a country town.
More Events
- Kurume Azalea Festival (久留米つつじまつり) - April 5th - May 5th @ Kurume Hyaku-nen Park, Kurume city
- Takasu Kagura (高祖神楽) - April 26th @ Itoshima City
- Iizuka Hina dolls Festival (いいづか雛のまつり) - February 3rd - March 27th @ Iizuka City
- Kawachi Wisteria Garden (河内藤園) - mid-April ~ mid-May @ Kitakyushu City
