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

“Okunchi” is a festival performed in the tutelary shrine of Hakata, Kushida Shrine. With roughly 1,200 years of history it is performed to give gratitude for the autumn harvest. Together with Nagasaki and Karatsu’s “Okunchi” festivals it is considered one of the big three “Okunchi” festivals of Japan, featuring various rituals and ceremonies while it is being held.

One of the most eye-catching events is the “Okunchi” parade, which is held on October 24. An ox-drawn portable shrine, or mikoshi, departs from Kushida Shrine at 13:30 and then winds its way around the fall scenery of the streets of Hakata. 

The traditional ox-drawn shrine procession and beautiful paper lanterns that are placed throughout the shrine are beautiful and not to be missed! 

The 2024 “Hakata Okunchi” Schedule 

October 5 (Saturday)

9:00: votive Kendo (sword performance) performance, (to be moved to the Hakata elementary school in event of rain)

October 11 (Friday)

9:30: votive sumo performance (to be moved to the Hakata elementary school in event of rain)

October 12 (Saturday)

9:00: votive judo performance (to be moved to the Hakata elementary school in event of rain)

October 19 (Saturday)

18:00~21:00: Hakata Toumyou Lantern Arts Festival  (inside the shrine, will continue in event of light rain)
(The watching will be held in the Hakata area)

October 22 (Tuesday)

10:00: Hamamiya Festival (10:00 - 15:00 Free amazake (sweet sake) at Hamamiya Shrine)
15:30: Portable shrine purification, to be held by the Hakata Port Hamamiya Shrine
*Note: not The Hamamiya Shrine is not in Kushida Shrine proper!
Starting from evening: Hakata Toumyou Lantern Arts Festival (in Kushida Shrine, to continue in event of light rain)
Whole day: Abundant harvest marketplace (to be held in Kushida Shrine)

October 23 (Wednesday)

11:00: Fall Festival (Deity transferring ritual)
Starting from evening: Hakata Toumyou Lantern Arts Festival (in Kushida Shrine, to continue in event of light rain)
Whole day: Abundant harvest marketplace (to be held in Kushida Shrine)

October 24 (Thursday)

13:30: “Okunchi” parade
 

*On October 23 (from 10:00 to 16:00), Okunchi amazake will be offered free of charge to those who visit the shrine. Please visit the shrine and enjoy the free Okunchi amazake. (Served by the Kushida Shrine Keishin Women's Association)
*On October 22 and 23 (from around 10:00 to 17:00), the Fukuoka Fresh Fish Market and Fukuoka Fruit and Vegetable Market will be holding a coordinated bumper harvest market.