Hakushu Festival and Parade on Water

白秋祭水上パレード

Commemorating the anniversary of poet Kitahara Hakushu’s death on November 2, the Hakushu Festival takes place for three days (from the eve of his death, November 1, to the 3rd).
About 1,500 guests (some invited from various organizations, others general participants who are selected in advance) ride on 130 gondola-like “Donko” boats that are decorated with small red lanterns and lamps with paper shades in a nighttime parade on the Yanagawa River! The route is along a roughly 4 kilometer (2.5 mile) long canal, where temporary stages are set up for musical performances of drums and Japanese harps as well as choirs. The parade takes about 2.5 hours from its start at the Yanagawa Bridge to its finish in Okinohata.
This is a unique festival of the riverside district of Yanagawa, and tourists will be sure to enjoy a fantastic night of great drinks and entertainment on the river!

Address (Japanese)	832-0000　福岡県柳川市白秋詩碑苑（沖端エリア乗船）～柳川橋（三柱神社周辺下船）
Address	Along the route of the Yanagawa river cruise; Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
Telephone Number	0944-73-2145（（一社）柳川市観光協会）
Contact	Yanagawa City Tourist Association
Open	November 1 - 3; 5:30pm - around 9pm
Price	Donko Boat Rental for Parade: 80,000 Yen (for groups of up to 12); 100,000 Yen (for groups of up to 18) Donko Boat Ride at Parade: Adults - 6,000 Yen; Children (Ages 12 and under) - 3,000 Yen
Access	By train - A 10 minute walk from Nishitetsu “Yanagawa” Station