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!