Dates:
May 3 - 4, 2009Place:
Fukuoka-city, Fukuoka PrefectureAccess:
JR Hakata Station / Fukuoka AirportPhone:
092-733-5050 / 092-441-1170Website :
Hakata DontakuMore:
It's said that the origin of Hakata Dontaku is a local New Year's celebration called matsubayashi held in 1179. This tradition became a big citizen's festival where people parade through the streets in costumes, perform dances, play instruments, and so on. People often clap shamoji (wooden spoons) in this festival. The word, dontaku, came from the Dutch word, zontag, which means a holiday.
Hakata Dontaku is one of the biggest festivals in Japan, and over 2 million people visit the festival every year. About 30 special stages are set in Fukuoka-city for over 10,000 performers. Parades are held through the Meiji street in Tenjin area. At the closing time, visitors are welcomed to dance together at the Dontaku Hiroba Square.
