Sha-nichi-sai is a traditional seasonal marker held on the day of Tsuchinoe nearest the spring equinox. This festival is dedicated to the deity of the earth, where visitors pray for bountiful harvests, the safety of their families, and protection from misfortune.

The “Oshioi-tori” Tradition: The highlight of this day is a ritual called Oshioi-tori, in which worshippers visit Hakozaki Beach to collect “Oshioi”—sacred sand from the shrine's holy grounds.

Worshippers take this sand home to use for purification and to invite good fortune.

The sand collected on this specific day is believed to be particularly potent, drawing large crowds of visitors to the beach.

The Satsuki Grand Festival features a series of significant rituals centered around the ocean and world peace.
May 27: Japan Sea Naval Battle Memorial Day On this day, we hold a commemorative ceremony to honor the historical legacy of the Battle of the Sea of Japan. The ritual is dedicated to praying for the continued prosperity of Japan and for world peace, while also promoting a deeper appreciation for the importance of the sea.
A solemn memorial service is also held to offer prayers for the spirits of those who lost their lives in the battle. Furthermore, we pay tribute to the "maritime martyrs"—those who tragically sacrificed their lives behind the scenes of the rapid development of Japan’s industry, trade, and fishing.
May 28: Ujiko Keiro-sai (Respect for the Elderly Festival) On the second day of the festival, a special ceremony is held for the Ujiko (local shrine parishioners). This ritual is dedicated to honoring the elderly of our community, praying for their continued health and longevity.

Ikejima-dono is enshrined as a guardian deity for healing legs and arms. The name originates from a pond (ike) and island (jima) that once existed on the shrine grounds.

Miniature Straw Sandals (Waraji): Worshippers seeking recovery for their limbs receive a pair of miniature straw sandals at the shrine. After praying, they take the sandals home to continue their devotion. Once healed, it is tradition to return to the shrine and offer the sandals to the deity as a gesture of gratitude.

This unique Shinto ritual features a grand calligraphy performance. Local dignitaries use a massive brush—approximately 3 meters long and weighing 8 kg—to write powerful characters on washi paper larger than 30 tatami mats.
Origin & Purpose The festival honors the era of Emperor Ojin, a time when cultural exchange with the Asian continent flourished and new technologies were introduced to Japan.
In celebration of this heritage, the calligraphy is offered to the deity to pray for the academic success of children, the mastery of arts and writing, and the continued cultural prosperity of Japan and the Hakata region.

Nagoshi-sai is a summer purification ritual to wash away the spiritual impurities of the past six months. By passing through the Chinowa—a large sacred ring made of cogon grass—worshippers pray for good health and a fresh start for the rest of the year.
The Ritual Visitors walk through the ring three times in a figure-eight pattern (left, right, then left). This tradition is believed to grant a long, healthy life and the strength to endure the summer heat.
Festival Highlights The shrine’s main approach transforms into a vibrant Variety Market. Under the theme "It's Summer! It's a Festival!", local stalls and live events create a lively atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Ranked alongside Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamakasa as one of the Three Major Festivals of Hakata, Hojoya is the most important ritual at Hakozaki-gu, with a history spanning over a thousand years. The festival is dedicated to cherishing all living things, abstaining from the taking of life, and giving thanks for the autumn harvest.

As Kyushu's premier autumn event, the 1-kilometer-long approach to the shrine is lined with hundreds of festival stalls throughout the seven-day period. Every other year, the festival features the Goshinko (Holy Palanquin Procession), a magnificent parade designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukuoka City.

Sha-nichi-sai is a traditional seasonal marker held on the day of Tsuchinoe nearest the autumnal equinox. This festival is dedicated to the deity of the earth, where visitors offer prayers for a bountiful harvest, the safety of their families, and protection from misfortune.
The "Oshioi-tori" Tradition The highlight of this day is the ritual of Oshioi-tori, in which worshippers visit Hakozaki Beach to collect "Oshioi"—sacred sand from the shrine’s holy grounds. Worshippers take this sand home to use for purification and to invite good fortune into their daily lives.
The sand collected on this specific day is prized for being particularly potent, drawing large crowds of visitors to the beach from the early hours of the morning.

Shichi-Go-San is a traditional rite of passage celebrating the growth and well-being of young children. The festival’s date is said to originate from November 15, 1681, when Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th Shogun of the Edo Period, held a ceremony for his son’s health. The Tradition Children of specific ages—three-year-old boys and girls, five-year-old boys, and seven-year-old girls—visit the shrine dressed in beautiful celebratory attire (often traditional Kimono). Families come together to offer gratitude to the deities for the children's healthy growth so far and to pray for their continued safety and bright future.

Known as Tamaseseri, this is one of Kyushu's top three festivals, with over 500 years of history. It is a high-energy Shinto ritual where men in traditional loincloths (shimekomi) compete fiercely for a sacred wooden ball.

The Ritual of Good Fortune: The “Yang” ball is handed to the competitors, who jostle and surge toward the main shrine while being doused with purifying water. Touching the ball is believed to ward off evil and bring incredible good luck.

A Divination for the Year: The competition also serves as a prophecy for the year's fortune.

Land Side wins: A sign of a bountiful harvest. * Sea Side wins: A sign of a rich catch of fish. The ritual concludes when the ball is finally offered to the priests.

This ritual celebrates a 770-year-old bond between Hakozaki-gu and Jotenji Temple. In 1241, the temple’s founder, Enni, survived a life-threatening storm at sea after praying to the deity of Hakozaki-gu. Every year on January 11th, the monks of Jotenji visit the shrine to offer their gratitude.
The "Meguri-kyo" Ritual A rare and solemn sight where Buddhist monks chant sutras while circling the Shinto worship hall. This unique ceremony, known as Meguri-kyo, beautifully showcases the historical harmony between Buddhism and Shinto in Japan.