Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka is one of Japan's three major Hachimangu shrines. With the arrival of autumn, the approach to the shrine is lit up with many lights and people's smiles come and go. It's the season for the Hojoya festival.

Hojoe, one of Hakata's three major festivals, is held from September 12th to 18th, and over 500 stalls line the road leading from Hakozaki Shrine.

Although Hojoe is now widely known as a lively festival, its origins date back more than a thousand years.

The person who supports this festival, which began as a prayer event to cherish life, is Iida Motonori, a Shinto priest at Hakozaki Shrine.
Let's take a look at the honest thoughts behind this gorgeous festival, as only Iida, who plays a role in connecting people with the gods, knows.

The Hojoe prayer originated from the cherishing of life

According to records from Kenninji Temple in Kyoto, the Hojoe festival was born in the year 919 AD during the Heian period. Prayers were offered there four years before Hakozaki Shrine was established.

The spirit of the Hojoe festival, which began as a divine revelation as a "shinto ritual to cherish the life of all living things and give thanks for the autumn harvest," has been passed down for over a thousand years.

"In our daily lives, we are given many lives: rice, vegetables, fish, and meat. We need to be grateful for all life and think about its preciousness. That is the origin of this festival," Iida-san kindly explained.

During the festival, memorial services and prayer ceremonies are also held for businesses and restaurants that produce food using the bounty of nature, such as flora and fauna.

Also, on the final day of the Hojoe festival, a ritual is held in which priests and children release young fish into a pond within the temple grounds.

It's a quiet and pure time, different from the hustle and bustle of the approach to the shrine.
Kindness towards life is the origin of the Hojoe festival.

Memories of the town and its people are revived on the approach lined with street stalls

As the sun sets, many stalls line the approach to Hakozaki Shrine, creating a nostalgic festival scene that continues unchanged to this day.

"The people of Hakata love festivals and I think they are a source of comfort to their hearts. I would be grateful if people could be proud of the Hojoya festival as a Hakata festival," says Iida.

Hojoe is often associated with family memories, with many people saying things like, "I went there when I was a child," or "It's a regular event where I take my grandchildren." Many people attend every year without fail, making it a beloved festival in the local community.

Memories of festivals are passed down through generations. Even if the scenery changes little by little, the fun and warm memories remain in people's hearts.

The Hojoe festival is enjoyed by many people, but its appeal is not limited to the lively street stalls.

"It's rare to see a festival of this scale. There will be a variety of events on the shrine grounds, and the Kaminagiwai Stage will feature performances of taiko drumming, kagura dance, and theater. There will also be an opportunity to experience traditional crafts, so I hope that many people will enjoy it," says Iida with a smile.

A God's Journey Through the Town

The most sacred time during the Hojoe festival is the Goshinko Gyoretsu, a spectacular ceremony in which the deity is transferred to a portable shrine (mikoshi) and paraded through the town. It has been designated an intangible folk cultural asset of Fukuoka City.

The deity that normally resides in the main hall of Hakozaki Shrine heads out into the town accompanied by the chief priest. It stays overnight at the detached Tongu shrine and then returns, making it seem like a short trip.

In the past, the portable shrine was carried on a boat, but now it is placed on a cart and transported overland.

As in previous years, in 2025, the "Okudari" ceremony is scheduled for September 12th and the "Onobori" ceremony is scheduled for September 14th.

At midnight on the 12th, a ceremony is held to transfer the deity from the main shrine to a portable shrine, and at 6pm on the same day, a procession is held to the sound of bells and drums. On the 14th, the procession travels along the same route as the Okudari, but in reverse, returning to Hakozaki Shrine.

"The last time the event was held in 2023, it was the first time in four years since the COVID-19 pandemic, so preparations were tough. We started in December of the previous year, and on the day itself, there was a lot of pressure to lead the four-hour procession safely. I remember being really happy when we finished safely."
As Iida looks back on this, his eyes are filled with the quiet pride of a Shinto priest.

The procession is accompanied by parishioners who carry ceremonial items such as the Seidouki flag, the Kaousuiou flag, and the Yatsuhata flag, each playing their own role.

One of the highlights is the "run-out" where parishioners run the last 100 meters at the end of the Okudari and Oagari sections. The powerful sight of them running with all their might, each carrying their own equipment, is a breathtaking sight for people along the route.

Connecting prayers as a Shinto priest

Mr. Iida has been supporting the spectacular Hojoe festival behind the scenes. As a Shinto priest, he is in charge of public relations for Hakozaki Shrine, and has also been involved in many detailed preparations behind the scenes of the Hojoe festival, from running the ceremony to coordinating with the local community and ensuring safety.

"I think that for many people, the Hojoe festival is just a fun festival. But at its core are prayers for life, for people, and for the town. I feel that it is our role as Shinto priests to remember and continue to uphold this."

He also says that the job of a Shinto priest involves the important role of standing between gods and people and offering prayers.
Shinto priests are also people who quietly connect invisible thoughts and activities to the future.

"Many people visit Hakozaki Shrine on a regular basis with a variety of wishes. I would like to sincerely address their feelings and, as a Shinto priest, fulfill my role as a 'bridge' between them and the gods."
Iida's gentle tone of voice reflected his sincerity as someone entrusted with prayers.

So that prayers will continue to light up this town

Mr. Iida, who has been watching over the Hojoe festival for eight years, will finish his service at Hakozaki Shrine at the end of this fiscal year and return to his hometown of Hiroshima.

"I am truly grateful to be able to take part in the procession once again in this milestone year. The Hojoe festival has changed little by little over the years, but its essence of 'cherishing life' will remain unchanged and will be passed down."

A quiet prayer amidst the hustle and bustle.
This prayer has transcended the time of a thousand years and will continue to light up this town.

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放生会（筥崎宮全域で開催） 
日時：9月12日～18日 
電話番号： 092-641-7431（筥崎宮社務所） 
住所：福岡市東区箱崎1-22-1  
アクセス：福岡市営地下鉄　箱崎宮前駅 より徒歩3分  
HP： https://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/omatsuri/houjoya/
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