Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 5-Day Hakata Yamakasa Customizable Tour
Watch the Oiyama dawn race of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on 15 July, when seven teams run with heavy floats through Fukuoka.
Private · your group only◆5 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a festival of Kushida Shrine in Fukuoka. It has more than 770 years of history and runs from 1 to 15 July each year.
During these days, tall decorated floats called kazari-yamakasa stand around Hakata. Each one shows a scene from history or legend. You visit them and Kushida Shrine.
The climax is the Oiyama race in the early morning of 15 July. At 4:59, seven teams of men in short coats and loincloths start to run through the streets, carrying floats of about one tonne on their shoulders. People along the road throw water on the runners. The race runs about 5 km and is timed.
Your driver-guide brings you to a good street spot well before dawn. Street viewing is free. You stand close to the action with local families.
This tour is a festival-date product. Day 3 is always the morning of 15 July. Please choose a start date of 13 July.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Oiyama race is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead watch the decorated kazari-yamakasa floats in Hakata and visit Kushida Shrine, where the race ends.
DAY 1 (13 July) Pickup at your Tokyo hotel and drive west to Okayama (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
DAY 2 (14 July) Drive to Fukuoka. See the decorated floats and Kushida Shrine. Early night.
DAY 3 (15 July) Very early start for the Oiyama dawn race, then rest and Hakata food.
DAY 4 (16 July) Drive back east to Okayama.
DAY 5 (17 July) Drive back to your Tokyo hotel (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Watch the Oiyama dawn race on 15 July in Hakata
- See seven teams run with one-tonne floats
- Visit the tall decorated kazari-yamakasa floats
- Visit Kushida Shrine, home of the festival
- Get a good street spot early with your guide
Said plainly
Dates: the festival runs 1 to 15 July. The tour starts on 13 July, and the Oiyama race is on the morning of 15 July at 4:59. The race needs a start at about 3:00. Streets are very crowded and wet. Hotels in Fukuoka fill early. If the Oiyama race is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead watch the decorated kazari-yamakasa floats in Hakata and visit Kushida Shrine, where the race ends. This tour has long driving days. The van has comfortable seats and we stop every 2 hours or so for rest areas, food and toilets.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Watch the Oiyama dawn race on 15 July in Hakata
See seven teams run with one-tonne floats
Visit the tall decorated kazari-yamakasa floats
Visit Kushida Shrine, home of the festival
Get a good street spot early with your guide
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Festival street viewing (free) with your guide
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Okayama and Fukuoka)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional paid stand seats if offered
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥368,000
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