Looking for Something in South Chikugo?

Daijayama Festival is a spectacular, high energy parade held annually in Omuta. Omuta is one of the southern-most towns of Fukuoka, closer to Kumamoto City than to Fukuoka City. Because of this, I’ve always found the people and vibe in Omuta to be quite different.

Daijayama Festival is a celebration of the gods of water, agriculture and sickness prevention coming together. You will see 6 large dragon floats (known as Daijayama) parade through the streets of central Omuta with sparks pouring from the dragon’s mouths, and several people dancing and chanting atop the floats.

Additionally, many people will pay a fee to have their babies “bitten” by the dragon in the hope of good health. Held on the fourth weekend of July, about 10 minutes walk from Omuta Station, I recommend watching on Sunday to see the evening parade from about 5 or 6pm. If you’re lucky, you can see the Daijayama be broken down and (piece by piece) be taken inside one of the Shrines around Omuta after the parade is finished.

It’s one of the must-see events in South Chikugo, and why not try one of Omuta’s oversized okonomiyaki while you’re there. Or you could pay a visit to Greenland (technically Kumamoto but it’s close enough!).