Kushida Shrine’s fall festival. One of the three major Okunchi Festivals, Hakata Okunchi.

This year Hakata Okunchi will be held in conjunction with the 49th Shikinen Sengu shrine transfer.

The paper lantern arrangements and procession are must-sees! 
The festival of Kushida, and one of Japan’s three great “Okunchi” festivals.

Hakata Okunchi is a festival with 1,200 years of history and is held in Kushida Shrine, the tutelary shrine of Hakata. Meant to give thanks to the Fall Harvest, it is one of the three great Okunchi festivals alongside Karatsu and Nagasaki, with various Shinto rituals held throughout its duration. 

This year, as it coincides with the Shikinen Sengu (or shrine transfer) of Kushida Shrine, the 49th Grand Josengu Ceremony (in which the deity is moved) will be held alongside the Hakata Okunchi Festival. Aside from the ceremonies that will be held in addition to the ones normally performed, this festival will also feature an expanded Okunchi parade that is not to be missed! 

The Okunchi Parade is the highlight of the whole festival. This year, the ox-drawn shrine will depart from Kushida Shrine at 10:00, before going on a small tour of the Hakata area in its fall splendor. 

Also not to be missed is the beautiful arrangement of paper lanterns that will be displayed in the shrine grounds on the evenings of October 22nd and October 23rd. The beautiful sight of the flames flickering in the gentle autumn breeze will steal your breath away. 

Schedule of the 2025 Kushida Shrine Josengu and Hakata Okunchi

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Evening (6:00 PM - 21:00): Hakata Lantern Watching (Shrine Grounds) 《To be held even in event of light rain》
(Hakata Lantern Watching takes place throughout the Hakata area)
≫ Click here for details on Hakata Lantern Watching　　

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Midnight: Shrine Purification Ceremony (Haruyoshi Bridge, along Kokutai-dori)

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

10:00: Hamamiya Festival (10:00 - 15:00: Free amazake reception at Hamamiya)
15:30: Mikoshi Purification Procession (to Hakata Chikko Hamamiya)
All day (approx. 10:00 - 15:00): Five Grains Harvest Festival Market (Shrine Grounds)
Evening: Thousand Lanterns Ceremony (Shrine Grounds) 《To be held even in event of light rain》

October 23, 2025 (Thursday)

10:00: Grand Celebration Festival
All day (10:00–16:00): Amazake Reception
All day (approx. 10:00–15:00): Five Grains Harvest Market (Shrine Grounds)
Evening: Thousand Lanterns Ceremony (Shrine Grounds) 《To be held even in event of light rain》

Friday, October 24, 2025

11:00: Commemorative Mochi Tossing (Seido)

Saturday, October 25, 2025

8:00: Departure Ceremony (Seido)
10:00: Divine Procession (Okunchi Parade)
Around 17:00: Arrival Ceremony (Main Hall)

※On October 23rd (from 10:00 to 16:00), there will be complimentary Okunchi sweet sake to all visitors. Please come and enjoy a cup! (While supplies last. Sponsored by the Kushida Shrine Women's Association)
※October 22nd and 23rd (from around 10:00 to 15:00 PM) With the support of Fukuoka Fish Market and Fukuoka Produce Market, there will be a Five Grains Harvest Festival.