Hakata Gion Yamakasa

Hakata Gion Yamakasa take place in Fukuoka Japan every July. The climate of the events is the Oiyama race that takes place at 4.59am on the 15th July.

today it was Shudanyamamise where the floats are carried across from Hakata to Fukuoka to be greeted by city dignitaries at the City Hall.

Today it was so difficult to decide which photo to post. I think i have a couple of better photos, but one does not get across well on what is going to happen. While there other one has a lot of bare bottoms on show. Let me explain, the guys in the race wear loincloths.

The race which will take place in a couple of nights time, involves a race over 5km. the team of guys have to carry the float with 6 leader on it around the course. Just to make it interesting, there are a couple of turning points which are very tight.

I will have some videos up on youtube soon, check out on the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/user/oysterguy378