Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri

Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri (わっしょい百万夏祭り) is a matsuri in Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan. It is a summer festival that spans two days, usually the first weekend in August. It is Kitakyūshū's largest festival, having been created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the city. Its predecessor was the Matsuri Kitakyūshū (まつり北九州).

Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri
Observed byKokura Kita-ku, Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan
Typelocal, cultural
SignificanceCelebrates the 25th anniversary of the creation of the city.
BeginsSaturday
EndsSunday
Datefirst weekend of August
2020 dateAugust 1  (2020-08-01)
2021 dateAugust 7  (2021-08-07)
2022 dateAugust 6  (2022-08-06)
2023 dateAugust 5  (2023-08-05)
Frequencyannual

History

When Kitakyushu celebrated the 10th anniversary of its creation as a municipality and ordinance-designated city in 1973, a Junior Chamber International corporation held an event called the "Kitakyushu Matsuri", and on the 25th anniversary, the current Wasshoi Hyakuman Matsuri was started. The hyakuman odori (百万踊り), a yosakoi dance that originated in Kōchi has been performed every year since 2003. Local businesses and groups, as well as student organizations have participated, and participation has increased in the years since it started. In recent years, more than 10,000 people have participated in the dance.

Characteristics

The event's budget is usually around 80,000,000 yen, most of which goes to supporting the city.[1][2] On average, around 1,500,000 people attend the event annually. Every year a theme is picked; in 2009, the theme was "Pride of Kitakyushu". Due to the participation of groups from around the city, it is possible to see many unique aspects of other festivals, such as floats from Wakamatsu-ku and Kurosaki or "light pyramids" from Tobata-ku. There are also others from outside of Kitakyūshū, such as the big snake float from Ōmuta, Fukuoka. The festival finishes with fireworks.

References
  1. 提言書（米子青年会議所）
  2. 「わっしょい百万夏まつり」8月1、2日に開催（読売新聞 2009年5月16日）
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