One of the experiences I enjoy the most during summer in Japan is the matsuri or festivals, always filled with games, people dressed in yukata, ceremonies and rituals at temples and shrines, but above all, delicious food! On this occasion, I visited Hakozaki Shrine, not very far from the Ohashi campus. It is near the Hakozaki JR station. You can also get there by bus. In this shrine (like other shrines), ancient Shinto purification rituals called “oharae” take place in June and December. On June 30, Hakozaki Shrine holds the “summer passing purification ceremony,” often referred to as the “Nagoshi-no-harae” ritual. Following is the Nagoshi festival, which takes place on the final Saturday and Sunday of July (which corresponds to the end of June in the Lunisolar calendar).

To reach the shrine, you have to walk from the station along a long and bustling street where many people and couples are playing target shooting, enjoying yakimochi (grilled rice cakes), which I personally love and find quite addictive. There are also fish, takoyaki, and many more foods and drinks available, with about 50 stalls!

At the end of the long street, you’ll find the shrine where this simple yet profound ceremony takes place. The ceremony consists of different steps, explained on a sign next to a straw ring at the shrine’s entry. The steps are as follows: I politely entered the ring, turned to the left, and repeated the process to the right to purify myself and get rid of whatever impurities I had amassed during the previous six months. Finally, I entered the temple, where the monks concluded the ceremony by purifying and shaking off the pollutants from my soul.

Additionally, this same shrine hosts the Hakozakigu Hojoya, one of the three major festivals celebrated in Hakata. It serves as a time to give thanks for life, protect against danger, and celebrate the fall harvest. This festival, which runs from September 12 to September 18, includes Shinto rites and various activities at the shrine’s entrance. However, this festival is much larger than the previous one, extending to several more blocks and even featuring a haunted house, shooting range, yo-yo fishing, and other entertainment available along the way. Wow, I became ecstatic participating in so many activities that the day turned into night, making it even more special with colorful lights – it’s an unmissable spectacle!

“It’s summer, it’s a Matsuri!”

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About the writer
I am an international master’s student from Guatemala. I love design, photography, and writing. I enjoy telling stories and making new friends, which I find very interesting. Join me and get ready for an unforgettable journey through Japanese culture.

Hector Alejandro Palomo Reyes
Media Design Course, Graduate School of Design