Hakata Gion Yamakasa: Experiencing Fukuoka’s Most Important Summer Festival
Local confession: even though I live in Fukuoka, I have only been to Yamakasa’s main event, the Oiyama, a handful of times over the years. The race starts before sunrise, the crowds are intense, and I am very much not a morning person. Still, Hakata Gion Yamakasa is one of those events I think is worth experiencing at least once while you are in Fukuoka.
Yame: Fukuoka’s Green Tea Region Is Ready for Its Moment
Yame is a peaceful destination in Fukuoka known for Yame tea, premium gyokuro, the Yame Central Tea Plantation and the white-walled streets of Yame Fukushima. With renovated historic hotels, traditional crafts, local cafés and growing green tea tourism, it is an easy place to enjoy a slower side of rural Fukuoka.