Fukuoka Prefecture – Hakata Dontaku Port Festival

For those who don’t just want to watch, but want to participate too, “Sou Odori” is held around each event area starting at 18:50 on May 4th! You can dance freely even if you aren’t familiar with the choreography! It is a unique experience where men and women, young and old, all dance together as one!
As this is a major festival that spans multiple days, the trains, streets, and even the Shinkansen are all very crowded. Be sure to make reservations in advance for things like accommodations.

The biggest draw of Dontaku are the parades.
Around 200 organizations participate in the parades each year.

This car is beautifully decorated with 1200 LED bulbs. Every year, 6 vehicles for the parade are decorated with popular characters or designs that reflect the current times.