The climax of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, which boasts a 782-year tradition, "Oishi Yamakasa" began at 4:59 a.m. on March 15.
This year's honored Ichiban Yamakasa is the Doi-style. The Yamakasa carrying the float entered Kushida Shrine, the main shrine of Hakata, and sang the "Hakata Celebration Song," which is allowed only for the first Yamakasa.
After this, the six streams and the Kamikawabata-dori, the running decorative Yamakasa, enter Kushida one after another and rush out into the city of Hakata.
Since this was the first time in four years that the festival was held without restrictions, and since the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka had started on the 14th, many spectators filled the streets along the way, cheering and showering the men with water.