Mentai-ju News vol.7

We are in the middle of August, but the heat is still intense. How is everyone doing?
In this issue of Mentai-ju News, we will introduce you to the Hakozaki Shrine Hojoe Ceremony, a popular seasonal event that heralds the arrival of autumn!

■ What is Hakozaki Shrine Hojoe?
Hakozaki Shrine Hojoe is an autumn festival that is counted as one of the "Three Great Festivals of Hakata" alongside the "Hakata Dontaku" and "Hakata Gion Yamakasa." It is a traditional event with a history of over 1,000 years, whose purpose is to "cherish the life of all living things, discourage killing, and give thanks for the autumn harvest."
At the venue, Hakozaki Shrine (Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City), various religious ceremonies and events are held over the seven days from September 12th to 18th, and it is a festival that is very familiar to the people of Hakata, with approximately 1 million people visiting every year.

■Hojokai? How do you read Hojokai?
While the correct reading nationwide is "Hojoe," Fukuoka residents generally read it as "Hojoya." There are various theories about this, but one is that it is said to be a dialectal variation of the Hakata dialect, and another is that it came to be called "Hojoya" because of the lively festival that takes place at night.

■ Recommended ways to enjoy
The best part of the Hojoe festival is the many outdoor stalls! During the festival, the approach to the shrine is lined with around 500 stalls, freak shows, and haunted houses. Of course there are the usual staples like takoyaki and cotton candy, but don't miss the Hojoe festival specialty, "fresh ginger"!

Hakozaki Shrine is a 3-minute walk from Hakozakimiya-mae Station on the city subway. It is conveniently located about 10 minutes from Tenjin by subway and within 20 minutes from Fukuoka Airport and Hakata Station! If you are in the area, please stop by!