Hakata Gion Yamakasa 'Oiyama' Eve: Don't Sleep! Rakutenchi Motsunabe Theme Park to Operate All Night on July 14th Only!

Photo left: Rakutenchi decorative Yamakasa, right: Scene from the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Higashi Nagare regular meeting on 6/27.

Original Motsunabe Rakutenchi (Headquarters: Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City / President: Takashi Mizutani) currently operates 19 stores in the Hakata and Tenjin areas, boasting the largest number of stores and seats!

"We will become the kings of motsunabe in the world!!"

With the desire to spread Hakata's culture worldwide, we have installed a decorative Yamakasa, certified by the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Promotion Association, at the 'Rakutenchi Motsunabe Theme Park' which opened last December!

It's bustling as a 'new Hakata spot' where not only tourists but also locals can enjoy a space where they can feel Hakata!

Our aim is to pass on its charm to the next generation by creating a place where people can experience Yamakasa throughout the year, not just during the festival period.

And this time, we will be operating all night only on July 14th, the eve of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa 'Oiyama'! We will provide a place where those enjoying Yamakasa can savor 'Hakata's specialty motsunabe' with the same fervor of the festival, further exciting Hakata's summer!

You have to come see the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. Come and experience the 'Rakutenchi Motsunabe Theme Park' where you can feel Hakata!

[Event Overview]

Hakata Gion Yamakasa 'Oiyama' Eve All-Night Operation

Location: Rakutenchi Motsunabe Theme Park (1F, Seaser Parking, 8-33 Gionmachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City)

Date and Time: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

- Motsunabe Champon Rakutenchi, Motsunabe Motsuyaki Rakutenchi: 11:00 AM to dawn

- Motsu Sakaba Rakutenchi Cafe Bar: 7:00 AM to dawn

The one and only Rakutenchi decorative Yamakasa in the world!

The 'Rakutenchi Decorative Yamakasa' was born from the desire to share Hakata's traditional culture, Hakata Gion Yamakasa, with people around the world all year round.

It is certified by the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Promotion Association, and the Yamakasa, crafted by artisans and doll makers specializing in authentic Yamakasa, is a magnificent creation!

We heard from the Higashi Nagare members who worked on it, saying:

"Because real professionals are involved, we also want to give our all to make it exciting."

Each decoration is meticulously crafted, and the presence of the Yamakasa displayed inside the store is outstanding. This is the only place where you can eat a mountain of motsunabe while admiring the Yamakasa.

Please enjoy the Hakata experience that stimulates both sight and taste!

Exclusive Interview with Hakata Gion Yamakasa Higashi Nagare!

On June 27th and 28th, we welcomed members of the Higashi Nagare to Rakutenchi Motsunabe Theme Park and served them motsunabe. On that day, we witnessed a kagami-biraki (sake barrel breaking ceremony), Hakata celebration songs, and a te-ippon (a short performance), and felt the intense energy firsthand.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a dedication ceremony to the gods with approximately 785 years of history, not a race to compete for speed, but a ritual to offer gratitude to the gods.

Higashi Nagare is one of the seven streams of Hakata Gion Yamakasa, known for pursuing 'speed' and 'beauty'.

Members of Higashi Nagare say:

"Time is a goal. However, Yamakasa is not a competition. Showing respect to the gods and dedicating it beautifully is the most important thing."

Carrying a Yamakasa weighing approximately 1 ton with 28 people, they run about 5 km, rotating every 30 seconds. Despite being a grueling event where blood may seep from their shoulders, the reason why approximately 700 people of all ages continue to participate is the "presence of comrades."

Participants shared their thoughts: "We want to break the fastest record for the Kushida-iri in our generation." "I've been participating since I was 3 years old. I love the moment of carrying the Yamakasa the most." "My way of life is in the Yamakasa."

Even though they are from different generations, their desire to "preserve Yamakasa for the future" is one.

"Enjoying the tough parts." "Moving forward with comrades towards the same goal."

That passion is the greatest charm of Higashi Nagare.

From July 1st to July 15th, the city of Hakata will be filled with Yamakasa.

Please come and see the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, an experience that can only be felt on-site!

Scene from the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Higashi Nagare regular meeting on 6/27, sake from the kagami-biraki.

This is Hakata Gion Yamakasa!

Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a traditional summer festival with approximately 785 years of history, dedicated to Kushida Shrine in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. Originating in 1241 during the Kamakura period, it began as a festival to protect the town from epidemics and disasters, and is currently designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

The festival is held every year from July 1st to July 15th, with the 'Oiyama' procession taking place on the early morning of the final day.

You know Original Motsunabe Rakutenchi!

We will not give up on our challenge to convey the food culture of 'motsu' to the world, which originated in Hakata.

Takashi Mizutani (left in the photo below), who loved motsunabe and wanted to make it his life's work, founded the motsunabe specialty restaurant Rakutenchi in Fukuoka City in May 1976. (Right in the photo below)

At that time, 70% of our customers were locals and 30% were tourists. However, as media coverage increased, orders for 'motsunabe sets' poured in from all over the country.

Sales increased eightfold within 10 years of starting employee recruitment.

While being a restaurant, we also play a part in Fukuoka's tourism industry, serving approximately 300,000 inbound customers from overseas annually.

Therefore, with the desire to let our customers feel more of Hakata's essence, we decided to produce and install this 'Hakata Gion Yamakasa' with the approval of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Promotion Association.

Our vision is to provide inspiration and happiness to people worldwide through food culture, and we aim for sales of 10 billion yen by 2033.

Store Overview

Original Motsunabe Champon Rakutenchi Kushidajinja-eki Canal-mae Store

Address: 1F, Seaser Parking, 8-33 Gionmachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, 812-0038

TEL: 092-627-7395

Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Last Order 11:30 PM)

Original Motsunabe Motsuyaki Rakutenchi Kushidajinja-eki Canal-mae Store

Address: 1F, Seaser Parking, 8-33 Gionmachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, 812-0038

TEL: 092-627-7515

Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Last Order 11:30 PM)

Motsu Sakaba Rakutenchi Cafe Bar Kushidajinja-eki Canal-mae Store

Address: 1F, Seaser Parking, 8-33 Gionmachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, 812-0038

TEL: 092-627-7195

Business Hours: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Last Order 11:30 PM)

*On Tuesday, July 14th, due to the eve of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa 'Oiyama', only the three Rakutenchi Motsunabe Theme Park stores will extend their business hours and operate all night.

Company Overview

Company Name: Rakutenchi Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 7F, Hakata Gion Center Place, 7-20 Gionmachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, 812-0038

TEL: 092-263-8888

Representative: Takashi Mizutani

Established: October 1984

Business Activities: Food and Beverage Industry

Official Website: https://rakutenti.com/