Tobata Gion Oyamagasa Festival

戸畑祇園大山笠

A tradition of the 200-year-old Tobata Ward, Tobata Gion Oyamakasa is a summer festival held at the end of every July by Tobata Hachimangu Shrine, Sugawara Shrine, and Nakabaru Hachimangu Shrine. During the day, the Nobori Yamakasa floats (which are said to be what all original Yamakasa floats looked like) are draped with beautiful gold and silver embroidered cloth and paraded through the streets in their magnificence. At night, however, these decorations are taken down and replaced with 309 paper lanterns covering the 12-tiered floats, transforming them into pyramids of light! Each of the 10 meter (about 33 feet) tall, 2.5 ton latern floats are shouldered by about 60 men who shout “Yoitosa, yoitosa!” to the rhythm of gongs and drums! Tobata Gion Oyamagasa Festival celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2003.

About the Festival: Government Designated Significant Intangible Folk Cultural Asset
About the Floats: Weight - 2.5 tons; height - 10 meters (about 33 feet)

Address (Japanese)	804-0082　福岡県北九州市戸畑区千防1-1-1　戸畑区役所前
Address	Aso Koen, Tobata Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone Number	093-871-2316（戸畑祇園大山笠振興会事務局（戸畑区総務企画課））
Contact	Tobata Gion Yamakasa Organization
Access	10 minute walk from JR Tobata Station
Website	http://www.city.kitakyushu.jp/pcp_portal/PortalServlet?DISPLAY_ID=DIRECT&NEXT_DISPLAY_ID=U000004&CONTENTS_ID=14938