In Fukuoka during winter, from December through February, the entire city is beautifully decorated, and you can enjoy a variety of events such as illuminations, Christmas markets, and shrine festivals.

The light displays in the Tenjin and Hakata areas are perfect for a date. If you venture a little further, you’ll find unique seasonal spots like the kotatsu boat rides in Yanagawa and traditional events at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

This article introduces the must-see events held in Fukuoka during winter, organized by month. Find the perfect Fukuoka winter travel plan to warm your heart, even in the cold season.

*If you make a purchase or booking through the links in this article, FUN! JAPAN may receive a small commission.

🚅Book your Shinkansen ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here

🚃Tour Fukuoka by Subway! Guide to Sightseeing Spots in Fukuoka City

What to Know Before Attending Fukuoka’s Events: Average Temperatures in December, January, and February

To fully enjoy Fukuoka’s winter events and festivals, it’s important to understand the typical temperatures in advance.

Average Temperatures in Fukuoka Over the Past 3 Years

*Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

Temperature Characteristics and Clothing Tips

The average temperature in December is around 8–9°C. While the daytime is relatively mild, mornings and evenings can get chilly, so coats and scarves are essential.

January is the coldest month of the year, with some days dropping close to 0°C. For outdoor events, it’s best to have gloves and a thick outer layer for peace of mind.

In February, the cold eases a bit, but the sea breeze can make it feel colder. If you’re spending long hours outside at night for illuminations, dress in layers to adjust as needed.

❆What Should You Wear for Winter Travel in Japan?

☃Winter Domestic Travel Packing Checklist: Must-Have Essentials

Illuminations in Fukuoka: Held in December, January, and February

When it comes to winter in Fukuoka, one of the highlights is the dazzling illuminations that light up the city.

Centered around the Tenjin and Hakata areas, unique light displays envelop the city every year. Among them, Hakata Station Square and Canal City Hakata are classic winter spots in Fukuoka. They’re perfect not only for outings with family and friends, but also make great spots for romantic dates.

Recently, more places in the suburbs—such as ports and parks—have started featuring enchanting light displays, making them great destinations for a drive.

🎄5 Must-See Illuminations and Christmas Events Around Hakata Station and Tenjin

[December] Fukuoka Events, Illuminations, and Christmas Markets

Christmas Advent

One of the events that symbolizes winter in Fukuoka is the "Christmas Advent." With the theme of "A Christmas to Enjoy with All Five Senses," which fuses light, music, and art, the event is held at multiple venues including Hakata, Nakasu, Tenjin, Fukuoka Airport, and Kitakyushu City. The entire city of Fukuoka is enveloped in magnificent illuminations, creating a dreamlike spectacle, where a band of light seems to connect the city from JR Hakata Station Square to Tenjin Central Park and all the way to Fukuoka Airport.

Christmas markets are also held at JR Hakata Station Square and Fukuoka Tower, where you can enjoy the European atmosphere with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand. Booths selling traditional Christmas foods and handmade gifts line the area.

Shibata Sangyo presents CHRISTMAS MARKET in Hikari no Machi Hakata

• Venue: JR Hakata Station Square (1-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City)

• Event Period: November 1, 2025 (Sat) – December 25, 2025 (Thu)

• Opening Hours:

• Weekdays in November: 16:45–23:00, Weekends & Holidays: 12:00–23:00 *Only on November 1, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• December: 12:00–23:00

LANDIC presents Nakasu Hikari no Advent

• Venue: Nakasu Chuo-dori, Meiji-dori, Fuku-haku Deai Bridge
• Event Period: November 4, 2025 (Tue) – January 6, 2026 (Tue)
• Illumination Hours: 17:00–1:00 AM (Illuminations only)

KBC FESTA de SANTA

• Venue: Prefectural Tenjin Central Park (1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
• Event Period: November 12, 2025 (Wed) – December 25, 2025 (Thu)
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 17:00–22:00, Weekends & Holidays 12:00–22:00

QTnet presents Hikari no Forest

• Prefectural Tenjin Central Park (1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
• Event Period: November 13, 2025 (Thu) – December 25, 2025 (Thu) *Illuminations until January 6, 2026 (Tue)
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 17:00–22:00 (Illuminations until 12:00 AM), Weekends & Holidays 12:00–22:00

CHRISTMAS MARKET in Passage

• Venue: Fukuoka Daimaru Elgala Passage Square (1-4-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
• Event Period: November 14, 2025 (Fri) – December 25, 2025 (Thu)
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 16:00–21:00, Weekends & Holidays 12:00–22:00

Alliance presents TENJIN CHRISTMAS MARKET

• Venue: Fukuoka City Hall West Side Fureai Square (1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
• Event Period: November 15, 2025 (Sat) – December 25, 2025 (Thu)
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 17:00–23:00, Weekends & Holidays 12:00–23:00
• Closed: November 29 (Sat) & 30 (Sun)

Christmas Gate Park in Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City

• Venue: Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Plaza (2-6-50 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
• Event Period: November 14, 2025 (Fri) – December 25, 2025 (Thu)
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 17:00–23:00, Weekends & Holidays 12:00–22:00

Christmas Market ICE WORLD in Momochihama

• Venue: Green Square in front of Fukuoka Tower (2-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka City)
• Event Period: November 21, 2025 (Fri) – December 28, 2025 (Sun)
• Opening Hours: 11:00–21:30

KOKURA CHRISTMAS MARKET & CASTLE

• Venues:
• Murasakigawa Waterside Plaza (1-1 Muromachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City)
• Senba Plaza (3-10 Sembamachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City)
• Event Period: November 21, 2025 (Fri) – December 25, 2025 (Thu)
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 17:00–22:00, Weekends & Holidays 12:00–22:00

🎄5 Selected Illumination & Christmas Events around Hakata Station and Tenjin

Oshiroi Festival (Every year on December 2)

The "Oshiroi Festival" held at Oyama Tsumi Shrine in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a rare traditional event in Japan where participants apply white face powder (oshiroi) to their faces. It is said that "the mountain god is a goddess," and the festival symbolizes the goddess putting on makeup.

The oshiroi used is called "shitogi," made by grinding newly harvested rice (hatsuho) into powder and mixing it with water. Parishioners apply this oshiroi to each other's faces, praying for a good harvest and family safety. The way the oshiroi adheres is also used to predict the next year's crop yield.

On the day of the festival, a Shinto ritual is held first, and after the chief priest's purification and prayers, participants take turns applying oshiroi to each other. There is also a unique tradition that you must not wash your face until you return home.

• Venue: Oyama Tsumi Shrine (Haki Oyama, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
• Date: Every year on December 2
• Time: Festival from 14:00, Oshiroi application from 15:00

Yanagawa Kotatsu Boat (December 1 – February 28)

Yanagawa, which flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, is one of Fukuoka's most famous tourist destinations, known as the "City of Water." The "horiwari" (moats) that flow through the city developed as irrigation and fire prevention channels, and now form a network of waterways stretching about 930 km in total.

The popular activity of leisurely touring these historic waterways is called "Yanagawa River Cruising," and in winter, the special 'Kotatsu Boat' is available. A traditional "donko-bune" (small boat) is fitted with a kotatsu (heated table with a quilt), allowing you to enjoy the cruise while keeping warm from your feet up. The view of the castle town, while listening to the boatman's stories, is truly exceptional!

• Venue: Throughout the horiwari waterways in Yanagawa City
• Event Period: December 1 (Mon), 2025 – February 28 (Sun), 2026

Events in Fukuoka in January | New Year & Winter Traditions

Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the New Year, is an important New Year tradition. In Fukuoka, many people visit shrines and temples to pray for academic success, business prosperity, and family safety.

Among the most famous is Hakozaki Shrine, one of Japan’s three great Hachiman shrines. Every year, about 500,000 worshippers visit, making it one of Fukuoka’s most popular spots for hatsumode. Food stalls line the shrine grounds, and visitors come well into the night.

Other historic shrines such as Dazaifu Tenmangu and Kushida Shrine also attract many visitors. Why not start your year by experiencing Fukuoka’s traditions and faith, and praying for good fortune in the year ahead?

Hakozaki Shrine "Tama-tori Festival (Tama-seseri)" (Every year on January 3)

The "Tama-tori Festival" (also known as "Tama-seseri"), held every year on January 3rd at Hakozaki Shrine in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, is one of Kyushu’s three major festivals.

This traditional Shinto ritual has continued for about 500 years since the Muromachi period and is known nationwide as a dynamic festival that predicts the fortune of the new year.

The event begins with the "Tama-arai-shiki," a purification ceremony for the sacred ball, held within the shrine grounds. After that, the ball is carried by the priests to the subordinate Tamatori Ebisu Shrine, where a festival ceremony is held.

After the ceremony, the priests hand the ball to men wearing only loincloths, known as 'seriko,' which marks the start of the 'Tama-seseri'.

The seriko are divided into two teams, the land side and the beach side, and compete to carry the approximately 8kg wooden sacred ball about 200 meters to the main shrine. The intense struggle for the ball, with water splashing everywhere, is a spectacular sight, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

The team that delivers the ball to the shrine gate priests is declared the winner for that year. It is said that if the land side wins, there will be a good harvest, and if the beach side wins, there will be a good catch of fish. Around 120 food stalls line the shrine grounds, filling the area with the excitement of the New Year.

• Venue: Hakozaki Shrine (1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City)
• Date: Every year on January 3
• Time: Around 13:00–14:30
• Official website: https://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/omatsuri/tamatorisai/

Daizenji Tamataregu "Oniyo" (Every year on January 7)

"Oniyo," held every year on January 7 at Daizenji Tamataregu in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a fire festival that marks the final day of the "Onie" rituals, which begin on New Year's Eve. With a history of about 1,600 years, it is known as one of Japan’s three great fire festivals and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

The highlight is the six giant torches, said to be the largest in Japan. Each torch is about 13 meters long and weighs up to one ton. Hundreds of nearly naked parishioners parade around the shrine grounds, supporting the burning torches with carrying poles. The roaring flames and shouts echo through the night sky, and it is believed that being bathed in the fire brings good health, family safety, and good fortune. On the morning of January 4, visitors can also watch the giant torches being prepared for the festival.

• Venue: Daizenji Tamataregu (1463-1 Miyamoto, Daizenji-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
• Date: Every year on January 7
• Time: Around 21:30 (lighting of the giant torches)
• Official website: https://tamataregu.or.jp/oniyo

Toka Ebisu Shrine "New Year Grand Festival & Kachi-mairi" (Every year from January 8–11)

At Toka Ebisu Shrine in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, the "New Year's Grand Festival" is held every year for four days from January 8th to 11th, where people pray for prosperous business and good fortune. During this period, about one million worshippers visit, making it one of Fukuoka's most prominent New Year's events.

The highlight of the festival is the "Kachi Mairi" held on January 9th. Geisha belonging to the Hakata Kenban walk slowly along the approach to the shrine, holding red Japanese umbrellas and moving gracefully to the sounds of shamisen and drums, making their pilgrimage on foot, known as 'kachi'. The procession of elegantly dressed geisha in colorful kimono, along with their refined movements, is truly a New Year's tradition.

• Venue: Toka Ebisu Shrine (7-1 Higashi Koen, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City)
• Period: Every year from January 8th to 11th
• Time: Kachi Mairi around 15:00 (2025)

Uso-kae Ritual (Every year on January 7th)

At Dazaifu Tenmangu, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, the "Uso-kae Ritual" is held every year on January 7th from 18:00. This ritual is a traditional New Year's event representing Dazaifu, where all the 'lies' unknowingly accumulated in the previous year are exchanged for Tenjin-sama's 'true heart.'

On the day, worshippers gather at Tenjin Hiroba, each holding a wooden uso (bullfinch) figurine called "Ki-uso" (offering fee: 1,500 yen) that is given in advance. In the darkness, participants exchange their Ki-uso with each other while chanting 'Kaemasho, kaemasho' ('Let's exchange, let's exchange'). The Ki-uso that remains in your hand at the end is believed to have been transformed into a 'true heart,' which can be taken home as a keepsake.

• Venue: Dazaifu Tenmangu (4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
• Date: January 7th
• Time: From 18:00

[February Events] Festivals and Events in Fukuoka | Setsubun and Seasonal Traditions

Setsubun (Every year on February 3rd)

"Setsubun" is a traditional Japanese event held at the turn of the seasons to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune. At shrines and homes across the country, people scatter roasted soybeans while chanting "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" ("Demons out, good fortune in") and pray for a year of good health.

In Fukuoka, the "Setsubun Grand Festival" at Kushida Shrine, known as the guardian shrine of Hakata, is especially famous. A giant "Otafuku" mask about 5 meters tall is set up in the shrine grounds, and worshippers pass through its mouth to reach the main hall. In addition, the bean-throwing ceremony is performed by "Fuku-otoko" and "Fuku-onna" (lucky men and women) as well as local celebrities, creating a lively, festive atmosphere that welcomes the arrival of spring.

Yanagawa Hina Festival Sagemon Meguri (Every year from February 11–April 3)

The "Yanagawa Hina Matsuri Sagemon Meguri" held in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a traditional event that has continued since the Edo period. The "Sagemon" decorations, which are displayed on both sides of the Hina doll platform to celebrate a girl's first Hina Matsuri, are a unique custom of this region. These colorful ornaments, crafted with wishes for children's healthy growth, resemble flowers that herald the arrival of spring.

During the festival period, the entire castle town of Yanagawa is beautifully adorned with Sagemon. Beginning with the 'Ohina-sama Hajimesai' on February 11, about 1,000 sets of Sagemon are displayed at shopping streets, old houses, and public facilities, making it a popular spot for photos.

• Location: Throughout Yanagawa City
• Period: Every year from February 11 to April 3

Jojima Sake Brewery Opening (Mid-February)

The "Jojima Sake Brewery Opening" held in the Jojima area of Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is one of the largest sake events in Kyushu. This region is known as one of Japan's leading sake-producing areas, alongside Nada in Hyogo, Fushimi in Kyoto, and Saijo in Hiroshima.

At the main venue, the ever-popular "Sake Tasting Corner" and "Kakuuchi Experience" are available every year. Visitors can savor and enjoy the unique flavors of Jojima’s sake.

In addition, there are stage events such as performances of sake brewing songs and Ryujin Taiko drumming, as well as sales of local vegetables and specialty products. It’s a lively event that can be enjoyed even by those who do not drink alcohol.

• Location: Townspeople's Forest (764 Narazu, Jojima-machi, Kurume City)
• Date: Mid-February (In 2025, February 15–16)