From the Finish Line of the Oiyama Festival, Delivering the Summer of Hakata: Ishimura Manseido Launches Lucky Sweets for the Hakata Gion Yamakasa and Hosts Limited-Time Events at Main Store

Founded 120 years ago in Hakata, Ishimura Manseido has grown alongside the local community, and the Hakata Gion Yamakasa (hereafter 'Yamakasa') is an inseparable festival for the company. This year, in conjunction with the Yamakasa season, we are launching a range of special initiatives, including limited-time sales of lucky confections 'Gion Manju' and 'Daikoku Ame', the 'Yamakasa-zukushi Lucky Bag', and exclusive events at our main store to celebrate and share the spirit of the festival.

July 15, Suzaki-machi: The 'Oiyama' at the 'Mawari-dome' (photo taken in 2023)

The road facing our main store is famously known as the 'Mawari-dome'—the finish line of the Oiyama ritual (hereafter 'Oiyama'). The second floor of our store has long served as the official 'Timing Station' where the times of each float team are recorded. We have walked alongside the Yamakasa for decades. Inside the store, we maintain permanent display panels introducing the history of the Yamakasa and our longstanding relationship with it, welcoming many Yamakasa enthusiasts throughout the year.

July 15: Timing Station (photo taken in 2022)

On the morning of July 15, the day of the Oiyama, our main store will open at 4:00 a.m., welcoming regular customers and visitors from across the prefecture and beyond. Many customers purchase our lucky festival sweets, 'Gion Manju' and 'Daikoku Ame', as souvenirs after watching the Yamakasa.

July 15: Ishimura Manseido Main Store, 4:00 a.m. to around 7:00 a.m. — Special Temporary Sales

Lucky Sweet 'Gion Manju (Gion Bun)' for the Yamakasa

Every year during the Yamakasa season, households in Hakata traditionally eat 'Gion Manju' to ward off misfortune and disasters. This 'Gion Manju', bearing the sacred crest of 'Kushida Shrine', Hakata's guardian shrine, remains a beloved lucky confection essential to the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. It is also cherished as a summer treat to beat the heat, known as 'Nagoshi Manju'. To avoid consuming the sacred crest, we do not stamp it directly on the bun; instead, it appears only on the individual packaging. Made with a subtly alcoholic dough and filled with mildly sweet smooth red bean paste, this rich 'Gion Manju' is a limited-time product available only during the Hakata Gion Yamakasa period.

Left: 2-piece set / Right: 5-piece set

□ Price: 2 pieces / 370 JPY (tax included), 5 pieces / 850 JPY (tax included) □ Sales Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) to July 15, 2026 (Wed) □ Available at: Ishimura Manseido Main Store, all Ishimura Manseido and 'Ishimura' stores, Zentaro Shoten, official online store (https://www.ishimura.co.jp/shop/), Kushida Shrine

Hakata's Summer Fortune Test! 'Daikoku Ame' with Miniature Lucky Dolls

'Daikoku Ame' features wrapping paper illustrated by Shin'kyo Nakamura, the third-generation master of the renowned Hakata doll artisan 'Nakamura Ningyo'. The fourth-generation master, Hiromine Nakamura, crafted miniature Daikoku dolls included in select boxes. These highly auspicious dolls are packed into one out of several boxes. There are three types: Black Daikoku, Gold Daikoku, and the extremely rare Special-Colored Daikoku, of which only one is produced per year. 'Daikoku Ame' is made with delicious, nourishing ingredients and rich flavor, embodying our wish for Daikoku's blessings to reach everyone. Enjoy it as 'Hakata's summer fortune test'.

Miniature Daikoku Dolls (from left): Gold Daikoku, Special-Colored Daikoku, Black Daikoku

□ Price: 10 pieces (2 types of candy, 5 each) / 1,080 JPY (tax included) □ Sales Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) to July 15, 2026 (Wed) □ Available at: Ishimura Manseido Main Store, Hakata Station Mining Store, Hakata Station Deitos Store, Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Store, Ishimura Hira-o Store, Ishimura Manseido Bon San the Parlor (Nakasu Store), Zentaro Shoten

Fourth-generation Nakamura Ningyo artisan: Hiromine Nakamura

Hiromine Nakamura, fourth-generation head of Nakamura Ningyo, who crafted the Daikoku dolls

Hiromine Nakamura, a rising star in doll-making, was born into a family of Hakata doll artisans in Fukuoka. As the fourth generation, he is pioneering new frontiers in traditional craft with innovative artistic styles.

Newly Launched: 'Yamakasa-zukushi Lucky Bag' with Special Design Eco Bag

We are launching a limited-quantity 'Yamakasa-zukushi Lucky Bag' featuring a special design eco bag to further enhance the festive spirit of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. The bag includes a curated selection of sweets perfect as souvenirs, such as 'Iwai-te Sand', inspired by the iconic 'Hakata Teippon' tradition, and the new product 'Iwai-te Fuwari'.

□ Price: 3,500 JPY (tax included)

□ Sales Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) to July 15, 2026 (Wed) □ Available at: Ishimura Manseido Main Store, Hakata Station Mining Store, Hakata Deitos Store, Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Store

The special 'Purichan' eco bag is a convenient non-woven fabric bag that fits A4-sized items. Additionally, one Yamakasa-themed sticker is included. We hope you enjoy this Yamakasa-filled lucky bag.

※ Limited quantity. Sales will end once stock runs out.

[Main Store Exclusive] 'Fukuyose' Event: Learn and Enjoy the Yamakasa!

During the Yamakasa period, Ishimura Manseido Main Store will host a stamp-card-style 'Fukuyose' event. By completing fun challenges such as the annual favorite 'Find Purichan!' and 'Staff-led Hakata Teippon!', customers who collect four or more stamps can participate in a lucky draw to win sweets and goods.

□ Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) to July 15, 2026 (Wed)

□ Eligible Store: Ishimura Manseido Main Store

[1st Prize] Special 'Tsurunoko' Ballpoint Pen

[2nd Prize] 'Iwai-te Sand' 2-piece set

[3rd Prize] 'Iwai-te Sand' Design Mini Badge

[4th Prize] Special 'Purichan' Sticker

※ Prizes may be substituted if unavailable.

※ Participation requires a purchase of 850 JPY (tax included) or more at the main store.

※ The 'Fukuyose' event will end once prizes run out.

Ishimura Manseido and the Yamakasa

Ishimura Manseido and the Yamakasa - Mawari-dome

2-1 Suzaki-machi, Hakata Ward. This location marks the historical boundary between old 'Hakata' and 'Fukuoka'. It is also the climax of the Yamakasa—the 'Mawari-dome' (finish line) of the Oiyama on the early morning of July 15. Once again this year, men living the spirit of the Yamakasa will dash through this iconic spot in Hakata.

Ishimura Manseido and the Yamakasa - Timing Station

On the second floor of Ishimura Manseido's main store, there is a 'Timing Station' that opens only on the early morning of July 15 each year. Access is restricted to shrine priests from Kushida Shrine, shrine representatives, and timing staff from Kotake Clock Shop. Even after the store's renovation and reopening in July 2021, the station remains in the same location, extending out onto the street only on the day of the Oiyama.

About Ishimura Manseido

Ishimura Manseido Main Store (2-1 Suzaki-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka)

Founded on December 25, Meiji 38 (1905). Guided by the desire to convey the innocent joy of Hakata's scenery through confectionery, we create beloved sweets such as the signature 'Tsurunoko' and 'Iwai-te Sand'. Our main store is located next to the 'Mawari-dome', the finish line of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, and becomes a bustling symbol of Hakata every July 15. We continue crafting sweets every day, drawing inspiration from this iconic Hakata scene.

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