Hakata Yamakasa Festival 2011: Event Schedule, Nagare Start Times & Maps

※This schedule is a date of the year 2011. Yamakasa schedule will change every year. by Yamakasa Navi

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Events Schedule & Explanation

 

1 July – 14 July	Kazariyama Viewing
24 hours	There are 17 listed Kazariyama that will be on display around town. Until the early morning hours on the 15th of July, the Kazariyama will be viewable 24 hours a day; volunteers are rostered on a rotation system so there’s always someone on guard. Ask them about the history of Yamakasa, the meaning behind the theme of this year’s Kazariyama decorations or some recommendations for local cuisine.
9 July (Sat)	O-Shio Tori: Fetching the Sea Salt
5 pm – late	As part of a ritual praying for their safety during the festival’s events, the participants from each stream will run from Hakata to the beach at Hakozaki and fetch purifying sand (Oshioi). On the way back they will visit one of Japan’s 3 great Hachiman shrines, Hakozaki-Gu, and receive some sacred sake.
10 July (Sun)	Nagare Kaki: in-Stream Kakiyama Showcase
6 – 8 pm	The first Kakiyama run, happening within each Stream’s territory. This is the day that practise for the 15th’s Oiyama race truly begins.
11 July (Mon)	Asayama: Early Morning Yamakasa / Afternoon Yamakasa
5 – 6 am	Each Stream, operating on its own schedule, will do an early morning run through their own territory.
3 – 6 pm	Some Streams do a second run in the afternoon through their own territory, then take their Kakiyama to greet other Streams and other parts of Hakata. Nishi, Ebisu and Doi Streams do not participate.
12 July (Tue)	Oiyama Narashi : Oiyama Practise Run-Through
Entering Kushida Shrine (start) from 3.59 pm	A day of practise for the Oiyama race. Participants will run through a slightly shortened 4km course through the streets of Hakata. You can sample an atmosphere similar to that of the real day, but at a more reasonable time.
13 July (Wed)	All Group Kakiyama Showcase (to Tenjin)
3 – 4 pm	Participants will run a 2.6km course from the Gofukumachi Intersection to the Fukuoka Ward Town Hall. Traffic will be stopped along Meiji Dori for the duration.
14 July (Thurs)	Nagare Kaki: in-Stream Kakiyama Showcase
4 – 6 pm	Similar to the 10 July run, some Streams will do another practise run through their own territory. This is the last chance to practise & fix technique before the Oiyama.
15 July (Fri)	Oiyamakasa: The Main Event
4.59 am – 5.30 am First team entering Kushida Shrine / reaching goal point	The climax of the Hakata Yamakasa festival. On this special day, trains and buses will both run all night. For Hakata, it is the most important day of the year. Streams will begin assembling at 1.30 in the morning. The first team will leave the starting line & enter Kushida Shrine at 4.59 am. The course will take about 30 minutes to run.

Departure Times for Each Nagare / Stream

 

Date : Event : Stream		Nishi	Chiyo	Ebisu	Doi	Daikoku	Higashi	Nakasu	Kawabata Arcade
7.9	Fetching Sea Salt	17.30	17.35	17.40	17.45	17.50	17.55	18.00	–
7.10	In Stream Kakiyama	17.00	16.00	16.00	17.00	17.00	18.00	16.00	–
7.11	Morning Yamakasa	5.00	6.00	5.30	5.00	5.00	5.00	6.00	–
	Visiting Yamakasa	–	16.00	–	–	17.00	17.30	15.00	–
7.12	Oiyama Practise Run	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-
	– Leaving Home Territory	13.50	13.35	13.45	14.05	14.10	14.15	14.20	15.00
	– Line Up Outside Kushida	14.00	14.05	14.10	14.15	14.20	14.25	14.30	15.35
	– Enter Kushida *start race*	15.59	16.05	16.10	16.15	16.20	16.25	16.30	16.35
7.13	Tenjin Showcase	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-
	– Leaving Home Territory	14.20	14.10	14.20	14.30	14.40	14.45	14.40	–
	– Line Up at Gofuku Machi	14.30	14.35	14.40	14.45	14.50	14.55	15.00	–
	– Leave Gofuku Intersection	15.30	15.35	15.40	15.45	15.50	15.55	16.00	–
7.14	In Stream Kakiyama	17.00	–	16.00	17.00	17.00	–	16.00	–
7.15	Oiyama	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-	—-
	– Leaving Home Territory	1.20	1.10	1.20	1.35	1.40	1.45	1.50	3.00
	– Line Up Outside Kushida	1.30	1.35	1.40	1.45	1.50	1.55	2.00	3.35
	– Enter Kushida *start race*	4.59	5.05	5.10	5.15	5.20	5.25	5.30	5.35

 

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Listing by Event with Map & Starting Times

 

1 July – 14July	Kazariyama Viewing
24 hours	There are 17 listed Kazariyama that will be on display around town. Until the early morning hours on the 15th of July, the Kazariyama will be viewable 24 hours a day; volunteers are rostered on a rotation system so there’s always someone on guard. Ask them about the history of Yamakasa, the meaning behind the theme of this year’s Kazariyama decorations or some recommendations for local cuisine.

 

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9 July

O-Shio Tori: Fetching the Sea Salt

5 pm – late

Starting at the Ishidoubashi (bridge between Meiji and Showa Dori crossing the Mikasa River above Hakata), all 6000 runners participating in the Oiyama will run from Hakata to the beach at Hakozaki and fetch purifying sand (Oshioi) to bring back. On the way back they will visit one of Japan’s 3 great Hachiman shrines, Hakozaki-Gu, receive some sacred sake and the blessings of the shrine. Then they return to Kushida Shrine to pay their respects. It’s a 4km run each way, with each Nagare / Stream leaving at 5 minute intervals. After passing the bridge on the way back, each stream will take their own path through Hakata and touch base at their own territories before visiting Kushida, then returning to their own towns again.

 

 

 

*Viewing Highlights* Hear the “Osshoi! Osshoi!” chant at the giant red Torii on Hakazaki Beach. Place: Hakozaki Sea Shore. Time: From 5.30 pm.
The Kakiyama bearers will chant “Osshoi! Osshoi!”, timing out their voices and footfalls to match it as they run the long course towards Hakozaki Shore & the Hakozaki-Gu Shrine. Watch each Stream gather under the giant Torii that marks Hakozaki Shore’s sacred point, pay their respects and gather purifying sand. Some participants will take extra home to protect their families from illness.

 

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10 July

Nagare Kaki: in-Stream Kakiyama Showcase

6 – 8 pm

In preparation for the Oiyama run, the Kakiyama will make their first trip from corner to corner of their home territories. People from the shops and family homes within each area will be on hand with buckets and hoses; while appreciating this year’s Kakiyama in all its glory they can help the runners out with some cooling water. The highlight is the area around where the Kakiyama is housed, under a triangular-roofed wooden hut.

 

((Good viewing spots marked in Yellow on the map))

 

*Viewing Highlights* A little-known secret, be sure to watch the gathering around the Kakiyama pre-departure. Place: each Kakiyama’s home area. Time: Before 3.30 pm
Take a tour of each Nagare’s in-Stream Kakiyama showcase. Around where each Kakiyama is parked, chat to some of the local participants about the course or that town’s specialties and history.

 

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11 July	Asayama: Early Morning Yamakasa / Visiting Yamakasa
5 – 6 am	Just after 5-6 am, each Stream will begin their Kakiyama run at a slightly different time. The journey is preceeded by a reception with that Stream’s officials and festival veterans. In some Streams, this is a chance for kids and youngsters who don’t usually get to carry the Kakiyama to have a go.
3 – 6 pm	For a sight of the Kakiyama being carried outside of their towns, the afternoon session will be criscrossing Hakata town’s old boundaries. You can catch 3 different Kakiyama in the same place, just north of Taihaku Doori. Higashi Nagare will also be taking their Kakiyama all the way to Hakata Station for an evening rush hour spectacle.

 

 

 

 

*Viewing Highlights* Stadium seating for free….?! Place: Kushida Shrine Time: Around 2pm
The “Entering Kushida” stage of the run is a special treat. You can use the stadium seating set up at the side of Kushida Shrine for free. Each team will enter Kushida and do a full circle around the mark there before heading out on their journey. (Higashi Stream’s Kushida Entry is the highlight)

 

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12 July	Oiyama Narashi : Oiyama Practise Run-Through
Entering Kushida Shrine (start) from 3.59 pm	A day of practise for the Oiyama race. Participants will run 4km of the Oiyama course. Kushida Shrine Entry begins at 15.59 o’clock. This year’s leading team will sing Hakata’s traditional celebratory song before departing, which is why they have an extra 1 minute lead. Take a gaze at the serious faces of the participants.

 

 

*Viewing Highlights* The intense atmosphere of the real event! Place: Kushida Shrine Time: After 3pm
All the Streams enter Kushida Shrine and do a starting loop before the big journey. You’ll hear the drumming of Taiko Drums and announcements, just like the real event.

 

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13 July

All Group Kakiyama Showcase (to Tenjin)

3 – 4 pm

From the Gofuku-Machi intersection, the Kakiyama will be run down the length of Meiji Dori to Tenjin’s Fukuoka Ward Offices. The 2.6 km stretch of road will be closed for the occasion. The Gofuku Intersection will be a great place for photography, where each of the 7 Streams’ Kakiyamas will be lined up for the run. After the visit to Kushida Shrine on returning from Tenjin, each Stream will go back to its own turf. This event started in the 1960s as a way of bringing old Fukuoka town (Tenjin area) and Hakata towns closer together. It’s still the only day on which the Kakiyama leave the Hakata Ward and, aside from the Higashi Stream taking their Kakiyama down to Hakata Station, the only occasion on which the Kakiyama leave the boundaries of Old Hakata.

 

((Good viewing spots marked in Yellow on the map))

 

 

*Viewing Highlights* Enjoy a view of the Last Practse! Place: Kushida Shrine Time: After 5pm
The “Kushida Entry” part of festivities is a highlight as teams return from their trip to Tenjin. The arena sitting is still free. Only five of the teams will make a pass at Kushida Shrine.

 

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14 July	Nagare Kaki: in-Stream Kakiyama Showcase
4 – 6 pm	Similar to the 10 July run, some Streams will do another practise run through their own territory. This is the last chance to practise & fix technique before the Oiyama. This is the last chance for a lot of the newer and younger participants to carry the Kakiyama, as for the Oiyama run only the best, fastest and strongest will be on the job.

 

(Good viewing spots marked in Yellow on the map))

 

 

*Viewing Highlights* 12 more hours until Oiyama… Place: Each Stream’s Kakiyama Headquarters Time: After 4pm
Check out the running of the Kakiyama one last time through home turf. An overlooked highlight is the home base of each Kakiyama just before departure; you might be able to get tips on the Kakiyama’s running course and other insider information from the runners gathered around there.

 

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15 July

Oiyamakasa: The Main Event

4.59 am – 5.30 am First team entering Kushida Shrine / reaching goal point

If you’re planning on being up in the early morning, check out the area around Reisen Park. This is the last chance to see all the Kakiyama gathered before the trip down to Kushida Shrine. If you want to enjoy the energy & intensity of the starting festivities watch around Kushida Shrine; if you want to sit back and see the runners pass by try Taihaku Dori, the widest part of the course. If you want to see the Kakiyama reach their goal, the Goal Point is a recommendation. As the course winds through the streets of Hakata you can catch someone running at each part of the course. But beware, even with five minute intervals the teams will be finished by 5.30 or 6 am.

 

 

*Viewing Highlights* The beauty of Kakiyama lined up in a row! Place: Doi Dori Time: After 1 am
Doi Dori in the early hours before Oiyama begins from about 1 am onwards, will host every Stream and their Kakiyama lined up in order. You can view the assembled Kakiyama and their preparations for around 2 hours.

 

**Caution: If you want to watch the Kakiyama leaving at Kushida shrine you will have to get seats the evening before, that’s how packed it will be!! It’s best to find one place to watch the Yamakasa going by and wait there rather than trying to move around.**

 

 

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The aftermath of Yamakasa is sort of like the day after Christmas; presents are taken care of, parties are over and done with, relatives go home and everyone has their mind on New Year’s. Suddenly all that buzz and effort, all those turkeys and TV specials are magically gone and nobody is quite sure what all the effort was for. By 7 or 8 am when morning traffic picks up in Hakata’s business districts there will be no more blessed tree branches and paper chains, no more Kakiyama huts or secret Stream Headquarters, and no more Kazariyama. All will have disappeared with the dash at dawn and life will be back to normal.

 

Everything is packed up for another year and nobody says or thinks much about it until April 2012.