Once the gloomy rains of Japan’s rainy season have passed, the castle town of Kokura is filled with the sounds of taiko drumming! Unique to the city is its style of drumming called “Hoko Uchi”, where men walk the streets pulling a float while beating the drums. The drummers pray for peace on earth, the continued safety of Japan, abundant crops, prosperity in business, and the safety of their families as the drums reverberate. July 1: Uchi Hajime (Start of drumming); Third Friday in July: Yoi (Evening) Gion; Third Saturday in July: Onigiwai; Third Sunday in July: Uchi Osame (End of drumming)

*About the Tradition: Municipal-Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Asset