Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in southwestern Japan reaches climax

A traditional summer festival in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, came to a climax on Tuesday with groups of men carrying heavy, decorated floats through the streets of the city. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival has a history of over 780 years, and is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Tuesday marked the final day of this year’s 15-day event. Before dawn, the first group of men ran into the compound of Kushida Shrine, carrying a float. They sang a celebratory song and dashed into the streets. The festival faces a declining number of participants. To address the issue, organizers have been encouraging children to join the ceremony through online application.