The 63rd Fukuokan Folk Festival, Hakata Dontaku! Enjoy a Festive Golden Week in Hakata

“Iyouta~!” This is the official Dontaku greeting!

This year the colorful and quirky Dontaku troupe will be lining up to parade along Meiji Avenue, and in various places throughout the city there will be stages featuring a variety of different performers. The Dontaku festival holds deep significance for the people of Fukuoka, bringing smiles and happiness to people of the city every year. 

The festival has its origins in the Matsubayashi ceremony, which is written about in the Chikuzen Regional Fudoki, or explanation of the region compiled as early as 1179. The term Dontaku comes from the Dutch term “Zondag”, meaning “holiday”. 

During the war the festival was suspended, but after 8 years of hiatus both Matsubayashi and Dontaku were held in May, 1946. The music of Dontaku reverberating through streets of rubble and debris succeeded in restoring some measure of pride and courage to the people of Fukuoka, and in 1947 the first post-war Dontaku with the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry at its core was held. Several years later in 1962 citizens were allowed to participate, and the festival evolved into the Fukuoka Folk “Hakata Dontaku Port Festival” of the present day. 

Overlapping with Golden Week every year, Dontaku is held over a two-day span from May 3rd to May 4th. Men, women, children, and the elderly all come to participate wearing a wide variety of costumes and clothes while clapping shamoji, or Japanese rice ladles, together. Throughout the city several stages are set up with dancers and performers of different kinds, and the entire city is permeated with the radiant energy of the Dontaku spirit. The festival is among the most popular in Japan, and every year over 2 million visitors come to the city from Japan alone to come and witness the festivities. 
Hakata Dontaku is said to originate Hakata Matsubayashi, a designated Important Intangible Folk Heritage, depicted above 

About Hakata Dontaku 2024

As with last year this event will be held at full-scale, but this year will mark the return of the special “Spectating Stands” for the procession! Furthermore, there will be plenty of other venues and stages set up around the city outside of the main Dontaku Square that extends from Gokufumachi to Tenjin on Meiji Avenue. 

Location

Dontaku Square Parade: Meiji-dori Street (between Gofukumachi intersection and Tenjin) 

Stage Performances: Various locations in Fukuoka City / Festival Eve: Main stage (Fureai Plaza in front of Fukuoka City Hall) / Hakata Ekimae Dontaku Street: Hakata Ekimae Street in front of Hakata Station/ Hakata Matsubayashi: All around the city

Summary of Main Events at The Hakata Dontaku Port Festival

On May 2nd, (Thursday)

The Eve of the Festival (The Main Stage at Fureai Square in front of Fukuoka City Hall)

The evening before main festival, the planners, guests of honor, the Dontaku troupe, comedians, citizens, tourists and the like all gather in front of Fukuoka City Hall at Fureai Square in anticipation of the revelry to come. The three 2024-2025 Fukuoka Goodwill Ambassadors are also announced here. 

Main Events: 

Part 1: Entrance Ceremony for the Directors and the Hakata Matsubayashi Band, Children's dance performance
Part 2: Prize-winning and guest performances by the Dontaku troupe, special guest: hitomi (singer)
No numbered admission tickets are required (the system has been abolished).
≫For more information on the eve of the festival, click here.　

On May 3rd, (Friday)

Opening Ceremony (At the Main Stage in Front of Hakata Station) *Only on May 3rd 

A ceremony where Dontaku is officially kicked off. Involves an announcement as well as the opening of a confetti ball to get things going. Starts from 11:00 on May 3rd, and is only held on May 3rd. 
≫Please visit official website for more details.　

The Dontaku Parade (Dontaku Square (Meiji-dori Street between Gofukumachi and Tenjin))

Hakata Dontaku’s main event. The Dontaku troupe and Flower Cars lead a colorful procession through Dontaku Square. Guests can enjoy the parade for the duration of the event. 
＊May 3rd (Friday・Holiday), from 13:00 ~ 19:00
＊May 4th (Saturday・Holiday) 14:00 ~ 19:00 
≫ Please visit official website for more details.　　

The Group Dance Finale

On the evening of May 4th all of the spectators can join in on the big dance held at the end of the festival. This group dance provides one final hurrah to cap off Dontaku. Feel free to join in!
≫ Please visit official website for more details.　　

Please watch the parade at Dontaku Square from the special Spectating Booths (fee required) at your leisure. Tickets are now on sale!

For the first time in five years, spectator seating with approximately 400 seats will be set up in Suijo Park along Meiji-dori Avenue. Tickets are now on sale. We hope you will take advantage of the spectator seats to enjoy the Dontaku Parade in a relaxed atmosphere.
≫Please visit official website for more details.　　

Hakata Matsubayashi (throughout the city)

The Hakata Matsubayashi, a nationally designated Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage, will be performed by the three processions corresponding to each of the representative gods of the “Hakata Matsubayashi” (the gods are Fukujin, Ebisu, and Daikoku) and a children's procession, for a total of four groups in total.
*May 3rd (Friday, holiday) and May 4th (Saturday, holiday) 9:00-17:00
≫Hakata Matsubayashi Information　

Stage Performances (29 locations throughout the city)

Various stages will be set up for members of the Dontaku troupe to perform on. Locations include by the City Hall and in shopping arcades. 
May 3rd (Friday, holiday) and May 4th (Saturday, holiday) 09:00 ~ 21:00 (the stages open at different times depending on the performances)
≫Information on the stages　

Hakata Ekimae Dontaku Street

In front of Hakata Ekimae Street there will be a street stage where members of the Dontaku troupe will perform for spectators. 
May 3rd (Friday, holiday) 10:00 ~ 11:30, May 4th (Saturday, holiday) 10:00 ~ 13:00 
≫Information on the street performances　

Dontaku Flower Marching *May 4th only 

①Marching Parade (Dontaku Square)

Marching bands and baton teams from preschools, elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, universities, businesses, and government offices will participate in the parade with their splendid performances.
May 4th (Saturday, holiday) 14:15 ~ 15:40

②Marching Festival (Festival Main Stage (Fureai Square in front of Fukuoka City Hall)

The marching band will perform their drill music and the baton team will display some of their terrific skills in this event. 
May 4th (Saturday, holiday) 15:30 ~ 17:20 
≫Information on the marching events　

The Nishitetsu Flower Cars

Three cars that are decked out in flowers and other colorful ornamentation will drive around during the event. 
May 2nd (Thursday) ~ May 4th, (Saturday, holiday)
≫Information on the flower cars　
≫Information on the flower car schedules etc.　

The official Hakata Dontaku accounts on these social networking service will also provide the latest information!

☞ X（Twitter）　@HAKATA_DONTAKU
☞ Instagram　@hakata_dontaku
☞ youtube channel　Hakata Dontaku Port Festival, Fukuoka Citizens' Festival Promotion Association

We hope to see you in Fukuoka and Hakata on May 3 and 4 this Golden Week!