#Display of Kazariyama - July 1 (Tue) - 14 (Mon):
Kazariyama floats will be displayed at approximately 13 sites around Fukuoka City.
#Oshioitori - July 9 (Wed):
This is a ceremonial purification of the body which takes place before the festivities begin. The members of the seven nagare that will participate in the race on July 15 gather in front of their team's float before running to Hakozakihama in Higashi Ward. After everyone has gone to Hakozaki Shrine to pray, the participants head to the beach, where they collect sand as a symbol of purification. The day's ritual concludes with participants offering applause to the setting sun.
#Nagaregaki - July 10 (Thu):
This is the first time the teams carry their floats. As a warm up for the real race, each nagare carries its akiyama around its own district.
#Asayama & Tanagaregaki - July 11 (Fri):
Also known as "Shugiyama", the Asayama is both a practice session and a means of showing respect for the elders who have devoted many years to the festival. The elders sit on the kakiyama floats as they are carried along the streets of each team's district. In the afternoon of the same day, each team carries its float to the districts of its opponents in an event called "Tanagare".
#Oiyama-narashi - July 12 (Sat):
This is a practice race preempting the main event of the 15th. To give a feeling of reality, the 4 km practice race is timed. The starting time is 3:59 pm.
#Shudan Yamamise -July 13 (Sun):
This is the only day that the kakiyama cross the Naka River and enter the old castle town of Fukuoka. The floats are carried the 1.2 km distance from the Gofukumachi intersection in Hakata Ward to the City Hall in Tenjin. It is customary for the governor, mayor and other local celebrities to climb on board the floats at this event.
#Nagaregaki - July 14 (Mon):
This event marks the final chance for preparations for the Oiyama race, which will take place half a day later.
#Oiyama -July 15 (Tue):
Giant drums will signal the start of the first float's run at 4:59 am. *Anyone still remember the reason why? YUP! Because Yamakasa is suppose to be started on 5:00 am (the sunrise time) but they need 1 minute before for singing the Yamakasa's song. The second float takes off six minutes later, and the remaining floats start their runs down the just over one kilometer course at five-minute intervals thereafter. This timed competition is known as the "Kushida-iri". After this, an exciting 5 km run is held to test the speed of each team. It's a Yamakasa highlight not to be missed. Following the race, a performance of Traditional Noh theater is held to calm participants and spectators alike after the excitement of the morning's festivities. This performance draws the curtain on Yamakasa events but only marks the beginning of real summer fun.
**Those without tickets won't be able to enter Kushida Shrine, but can watch the race from the streets along the course.
Location of Kazariyama Floats (July 1 to 14)
(1) HIGASHINAGARE / Near Gofukumachi Intersection
(2) NAKASUNAGARE / In front of N*Pasal building (Nakasu 4-chome, Hakata-ku)
(3) CHIYONAGARE / In front of Papillon 24 (Chiyo 1-chome, Hakata-ku)
(4) KAMI-KAWABATA-DORI / In the Kamikawabata shopping arcade
(5) KAWABATA CHUO-GAI
(6)WATANABE-DORI 1-Chome / Sunselco Square (Near Hotel New Otani Hakata)
(7) HAKATA-EKI Shoten-Rengokai / In front of Hakata-guchi gateway of Hakata Station
(8) CANAL CITY HAKATA
(9) SOLARIA / Solaria Plaza G. Floor (Tenjin 2- chome, Chuo-ku)
(10) SHINTEN-CHO / Tenjin 2-chome, Chuo-ku
(11) HAKATA RIVERAIN
(12) KUSHIDA SHRINE / On the shrine grounds of Kushida Shrine (Kami-kawabata-machi, Hakata-ku)
(13) FUKUOKA DOME
Source: Rainbow
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