Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine Oniyo (Demon Night)

The Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine Oniyo, which turns the winter night sky red with fire, is one of Japan's three major bonfire festivals. The fire is lit when a bell rings at 9 PM on January 7 with a 13-meter (40 foot) long torch as men in traditional garb circle the grounds.

Fuchi Hachiman Shrine Kawawatari (River Crossing) Festival

On the first day, after a dance by performers in lion costume, a float carrying a portable shrine is brought into the river and carried around in the water. On the second day the shrine is carried from the opposite direction and brought back to its home shrine. It is an energetic and impressive spectacle.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa

During the festival, large floats called Kazariyama decorate Fukuoka's streets, and early in the morning of the 15th the Oiyama is held, where men race through the street carrying one-ton "portable shrines." It is a spectacle that must be seen to be believed.

Kokura Gion Daiko

This festival, with a 400-year history, is a staple of mid-summer in Kitakyushu. Held over three days around the third Saturday of July, the festival's highlight is the great taiko (Japanese drum) performance that takes place on the second day. With groups of drummers wearing traditional yukata and happi competing with each other to give the best performance, the festival surroundings echo with the strong beat of their drums.

Tobata Gion Oyamakasa

Covering three days around the fourth Saturday of July, this festival's major attraction is the ever-changing shapes of it four Yamakasa floats. While decorated with majestic flags during the day, in the evening they turn into a "light pyramid" of 309 paper lanterns stacked in twelve levels 10 meters (30 feet) high, creating an eerie beauty.

Hakushu Festival

A lively event held from November 1-3 to commemorate the anniversary of great poet Hakushu Kitahara's death. In a water parade, participants riding 110 boats glide down the river launching fireworks while singing children's and traditional songs.