Tobata Gion Ōyamagasa

A 200-year-old summer tradition of Kitakyushu's Tobata Ward, believed to have begun in 1803 after locals held prayer ceremonies to end an epidemic the year before.

Four districts each bring out a giant "yamagasa" float, and by day these are paraded as banner-draped "nobori yamagasa." At night the banners come down and each float transforms into a 10-meter tower stacked with twelve tiers of 309 paper lanterns, carried by around 100 men chanting "Yoitosa, yoitosa!" to drums and gongs.

Recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, it's affectionately known as "Chochin Yama" (Lantern Mountain) and ranks among Fukuoka Prefecture's three major summer festivals.