This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
Hakozaki Shrine’s Hojoya Festival is held for seven days and nights from Saturday, September 12 through Friday, September 18, 2026. One of Hakata’s three major festivals, it combines Shinto rituals with hundreds of stalls along the approach in Fukuoka’s Hakozaki district.
The major mikoshi procession is held only in odd-numbered Gregorian years. Because 2026 is an even-numbered year, there will be no outbound procession on September 12 or return procession on September 14. Visitors should not reuse the 2025 procession schedule when planning this year’s visit.
- September 12–18, 2026 at Hakozaki Shrine
- Visitor guidance lists 10:00–21:00; individual stalls vary
- No mikoshi procession in 2026
- Hakozakigu-mae subway station is about three minutes away
Information checked on August 10, 2026 against Hakozaki Shrine and the Fukuoka Prefecture official tourism guide. The detailed daily program remains subject to announcement.
Hojoya 2026 dates and access
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival | Hakozaki Shrine Hojoya |
| Dates | September 12–18, 2026 |
| Guidance hours | 10:00–21:00; stall hours vary |
| Venue | Hakozaki Shrine, 1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka |
| 2026 procession | Not held; mikoshi procession years are odd-numbered |
| Nearest station | Hakozakigu-mae subway station, Exit 1, about 3 minutes on foot |
A festival of gratitude for life and the autumn harvest
Hojoya expresses respect for all living things, cautions against taking life and gives thanks for the autumn harvest. The shrine traces the ritual back more than one thousand years. Even when the approach feels like a lively fair, the grounds remain an active place of worship.
Begin with a calm visit to the shrine before exploring the stalls. At the torii and worship hall, avoid blocking the entrance for photographs and follow signs around ritual areas.
Hundreds of food and festival stalls
Several hundred stalls traditionally line the approach with yakitori, takoyaki and other festival foods, along with goldfish scooping, yo-yo fishing, target games and a retro haunted house. Opening and closing times differ by stall, and rain or crowds can change operations.
- Leaf-on young ginger is a historic Hakozaki seasonal souvenir.
- Yashiromochi is a grilled sweet filled with red-bean paste and sold in plain and mugwort versions.
- The old Hojoya chanpon glass toys and annual Hojoya ohajiki are no longer normally issued; past works may be displayed.
- The separately named Hakozaki Shrine ohajiki is a current shrine charm and should not be confused with the discontinued annual festival series.
When to visit and how to get there
Daytime is easier for families and for seeing the shrine and souvenirs. The approach becomes much busier from late afternoon into the evening, especially on weekends. If food stalls are your priority, arrive before the evening peak rather than near closing time.
The easiest route is the Fukuoka City Subway Hakozaki Line to Hakozakigu-mae Station; Exit 1 is about a three-minute walk. JR Hakozaki Station is about eight minutes away. Parking is available, but roads and lots are extremely crowded, so public transport is more predictable.
Crowd safety, weather and photography
The approach is narrow when packed with people and food queues. Decide where children will meet you if separated, keep bags close to the body and do not stop suddenly in the main flow.
- Use the official 2026 daily schedule once rituals and stage events are published.
- Do not assume every stall operates for the full 10:00–21:00 period.
- Drones, live streaming and commercial photography are prohibited on the shrine grounds.
- Personal and family photographs are generally allowed, but worshippers and ritual spaces take priority.
Official updates and related Fukuoka guides
Check the shrine page again for the detailed 2026 ritual and stage schedule. The following guides help combine Hojoya with history, food and other September events.
