The 2010 Fukuoka Dontaku Festival, where participants parade the streets beating on kitchen spoons
Every May, during Japan’s much-anticipated Golden Week holiday, besides the cherry blossoms still in bloom in the Tohoku region and Hokkaido that draw blossom-chasing visitors, a variety of lively festivals also take turns to take the stage and attract tourists’ attention. Fukuoka, a historical gateway for cultural exchange between Japan and China, will host in early May the vibrant “Fukuoka Dontaku Festival,” a renowned event across Kyushu and even all of Japan — don’t miss it if you love a good celebration.
The event features parading groups beating on kitchen spoons. Image provided by / Japan National Tourism Organization
With a history of over 800 years, the “Fukuoka Dontaku Festival” is held annually on May 3 and 4, organized by the Fukuoka Citizens’ Festival Promotion Association. On the day of the event, about 30,000 participants, forming parade groups of people of all ages, march in orderly lines along the city streets while beating on kitchen spoons. Various performance teams follow one after another along the designated parade route. The spectators and tourists lining the streets can number up to 2 million, making it a grand community-wide event for the residents of Fukuoka.
The “Fukuoka Dontaku Festival,” known locally as Dontaku (DONTAKU), derives its name from the Dutch word “zondag,” meaning “holiday.” The two-day event is celebrated by the entire city and is an exceptionally lively festival. The main highlight is the “DONTAKU Parade” marching along Meiji Dori in Fukuoka City. In addition, around 30 stages are set up across the city, where performers showcase their meticulously practiced dance routines, putting on dazzling shows. Famous floats and various stages located throughout the city offer a diverse array of colorful performances.
The 2010 Fukuoka Dontaku Festival. Image provided by / Fukuoka Dontaku Festival
As a port city by the sea, Fukuoka’s coastal open areas are also home to many multi-purpose commercial complexes, offering everything from shopping and gourmet food to entertainment. The May “Fukuoka Dontaku Festival” showcases a variety of traditional Japanese arts and the passionate solidarity of the locals, making it a folk festival well worth experiencing.
The 2010 Fukuoka Dontaku Festival
Event Period: May 3 and 4
Event Location: Various locations within Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Transportation: Accessible on foot from Tenjin Station, Nakasu-Kawabata Station, or Oreifuku-machi Station on the subway.
Inquiry Phone: 092-441-1170 Fukuoka Citizens’ Festival Promotion Association Office
Inquiry Website: www.hakatadontaku.jp
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