The Dontaku festival
An annual tradition during Golden Week (3rd and 4th May), Hakata Dontaku is a festival held in Fukuoka City during which people dress up in costumes, both unique and beautiful, and parade the city streets while clapping shamoji spoons. Various quarters of the town hold dances on stages or squares, boasting the greatest number of visitors at around two million people. Because there are so many events taking up so much of the area, Fukuoka City is devoted to the fun and party atmosphere of the Dontaku festival, making this a true festival for the citizens.
The Dontaku festival originated 800 years ago and used to be called Matsubayashi. The word Dontaku is said to derive from the Dutch word meaning holiday or Sunday. Once banned because of its excess, the Dontaku festival has survived by changing its name and by the dedication of the citizens keeping the celebration alive.
The opening ceremony shows respect to three gods: Fukurokuju, the god of longevity, and Ebisu and his wife Daitoku, the gods of health. The ceremony has remained the same since the very first Dontaku festival. This giant party parade lasts for two days and boasts lots of street foods and a lively atmosphere enjoyed by citizens and visitors alike.