page_title: Fukuoka
section_title: Festivals
hierarchical_section_title: Fukuoka / Culture / Festivals
caption_attribution_description: English: Kakiyama, Hakata Gion Yamakasa, at Fukuoka, Japan. 日本語: 福岡県福岡市、博多祇園山笠、舁き山
context_page_description: Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture, situated on the northern shore of the Japanese island of Kyushu. It is the most populous city on the island, followed by Kitakyushu. It is the largest city and metropolitan area west of Keihanshin. The city was designated on April 1, 1972, by government ordinance. Greater Fukuoka, with a population of 2.5 million people, is part of the heavily industrialized Fukuoka–Kitakyushu zone.
  As of 2015, Fukuoka is Japan's sixth largest city, having passed the population of Kobe. In July 2011, Fukuoka surpassed the population of Kyoto. Since the founding of Kyoto in 794, this marks the first time that a city west of the Kinki region has a larger population than Kyoto. In ancient times, however, the area near Fukuoka, the Chikushi region, was thought by some historians to have possibly been even more influential than the Yamato region.
context_section_description: Fukuoka is home to many festivals (matsuri) that are held throughout the year. Of these, the most famous are Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamakasa.
caption: Hakata Gion Yamakasa
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