Last week was golden week and people all around Japan enjoyed the public holiday with their friends and family. The students of Asahi Nihongo decided to use their study-free time to join the annual Dontaku parade which serenades through the streets of Hakata on the 3rd of may. 

People dress up in unique costumes parade through the streets while clapping shamoji spoons and dance on stages and in squares in various quarters of the town. The students decided to grab a quick bite at one of the numerous street food vendors that lined up at the Nakasu River before looking out for a good spot to watch the festival, which includes a parade of gorgeously decorated vehicles called hana jidosha.

 Of all the Japanese festivals held during the Golden Week, the Hakata Dontaku boasts the greatest number of spectators, with some two million people turning out every year. The students saw a lot of Japanese arts and culture and were able to listen to Classical Japanese music from all over the country, united at a big party. Even the rain that started in the afternoon couldn’t even remotely ruin the good mood and vibes that swung though the streets while Hakata’s biggest party took place.