【For Those Going Next Year】The Complete Ōmuta Daijayama Festival Prep Guide | All Floats & Schedule Example
Yo! I’m Jasuke! All the Daijayama floats that fire up Ōmuta’s summer are totally awesome! 🔥 I’m gonna introduce all the unique Daija participating in the parade in alphabetical order, so take your time and check ‘em out! For more details on the six main Gion floats, check out this page here!
Parade Schedule (Reference for 2025)
- July 27 (Sun)
- 15:00 – 17:00 Taiko Drumming Competition (Shin-Sakaemachi)
- 17:00 – 18:00 Kids’ Daija & Kids’ Mikoshi After parading through the venue, they will exit towards Nakatomo Elementary.
- 18:00 – 22:00 Grand Daijayama Parade (Taishomachi Festival Plaza)Some floats may finish the parade early to return to their local areas for more performances.
Here is an introduction to the Daijayama floats participating in the parade.
We are mainly using photos from 2025, but please note that some photos are from previous years (due to the parade cancellation). Thank you for your understanding.
Dohryukai Daijayama
A Daijayama float primarily run by children from the Shiranuimachi and Harayamamachi districts. The sight of the kids on the float’s roof, spreading their arms and shouting “Wasshoi!” with all their might, is incredibly impressive! 🙌
- Official Instagram: @douryukai
Funatsu Shoryukai
When you think of a “White Dragon,” you think of Shoryukai. They have been active since 2001. On the weekend before the Taishomachi parade (the third Saturday and Sunday of July), the Port Festival and local processions coincide, letting you get into the festival spirit early. They have different faces for the Port Festival and the parade, and both are a must-see!
Jokan Joryukai
Born in the Jokan Chuo-gai district in the late 1960s. It breathes smoke and fire, and powerfully exhales a “white vapor” (kien) from its mouth. Above all, its intense “gaze” is powerful, and its cool red eyes captivate many fans. 😎
Kenzakai Daijayama
This Daijayama is based in the southernmost part of Ōmuta. In 2025, it celebrated its 60th anniversary and appeared with a nostalgic, old-fashioned face. On the third Saturday and Sunday of July, it also parades through the local area alongside the Port Festival, allowing you to enjoy the festivities a bit early.
- Official Instagram: @kenzakaidaijayama_official
Kinryukai Sagariyama
The name combines “Kinryukai,” from the Konpira Shrine, and “Sagariyama,” from an old place name of the Meiji era. Its distinctively gentle, almost dazed-looking expression has a charm that warms the hearts of onlookers. 😊
- Official Instagram: @konryukai.sagariyama
Meiji Tairyukai
The quintessential “Red Dragon.” It features a face based on red with white accents and golden eyes. In 2025, it had a stronger white impression than usual. Its appearance is truly that of an incarnation of fire! 🔥
- Highlight: Usually, a joint performance with Genbukai takes place on the bridge on Sunday, but it was canceled in 2025.
- Official Instagram: @meiji_tairyukai
Nankan Gion Daijayama
The only float participating from the neighboring town of Nankan in Kumamoto Prefecture. Its roots are in the festival of Yatsurugi Shrine, which enshrines a divided spirit from Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine. It’s known for its unique taiko rhythm, reminiscent of traditional Japanese drums. You can immediately tell it’s the “Nankan Dragon” just by hearing the sound. 🎶
- Highlight: After the parade, the three-float joint performance in Shin-Sakaemachi with Ryuzankai and Yoshino Mutsumikai is a must-see.
- Nankan Town Festival: Held on the first Saturday of August at “Yatsurugi Shrine & Sekimachi Shopping Street area.” For details, visit the official Nankan Town website.
Natsu Matsuri Shinko Kyokueikai Children’s Daijayama
They receive applause every year for their powerful drumming that rivals adults and the performance of their dance team, “Sakebito.” In 2025, they appeared in a golden form. Despite its small size, its power is on par with the other floats.
- Procession Info: On the fourth Saturday, it’s stationed in front of Starbucks at Youme Town Ōmuta, and on Sunday, it moves towards the Shin-Sakaemachi area.
- Highlight: On Sunday night, a joint performance with Ryueikai is held.
- Official Instagram: @gyokueikai_sakebito
Sakaemachi Ryueikai
Characterized by the loud ringing of its bell and a slow, unique rhythm. Established in 1988, it celebrated its 37th year in 2025. Its glowing blue eyes and a mouth that seems especially large among the floats are truly impressive!
- Highlight: On the fourth Saturday night, a joint two-float performance with Ryuzankai is held in Shin-Sakaemachi, and on Sunday, another with Kyokueikai.
Shin-Sakaemachi Ryuzankai
With the motto “Give it your all, no matter what,” they host the Shin-Sakaemachi Summer Festival. Their float is darker in color compared to others, with a dignified facial expression. The dance troupe “Wa-gumi,” which uses drumsticks, umbrellas, and fans, is also very popular. 💃
- Highlight: On the fourth Saturday night, they have a joint performance with Ryueikai. On Sunday night, an intense three-float performance with Nankan Gion and Yoshino Mutsumikai is held in Shin-Sakaemachi.
- Official Instagram: @ryuzankai
Tegama Daija Genbukai
The float shows influences from the custom of venerating turtles in the Tegama district. This group has a great spirit for entertaining the crowd, such as turning the float’s head in all directions during their performance time! 🐢
- Highlight: A joint performance with Tairyukai is usually held on Sunday (canceled in 2025).
Yoshino Mutsumikai Daija
Its unique looks, including upturned spikes, distinctive ear shapes, and patterns, are part of its charm. In 2025, it appeared with a stylish look, sporting three piercings on each ear! ✨
- Highlight: On Sunday, it participates in a powerful three-float joint performance in Shin-Sakaemachi with the Nankan Daija and Ryuzankai.
- Official Instagram: @yoshino_mutsumikai
Jasuke Answers! Q&A
When is the “Yama-kuzushi” (float dismantling)?
That’s a great question! The timing for the ‘Yama-kuzushi’ is completely different for each float. So, the most reliable way is to check the official social media of the float you want to see! Some dismantle theirs right after the Port Festival, some do it after returning to their hometowns post-parade, and others have their grand finale at a local festival the following week. You can’t take your eyes off them until the very end!
Where can I watch the main performance times?
That’s the main event, right! In 2025, it seems the performances took place at two locations: the “Taishomachi 3-chome Intersection,” where the main viewing stand is, and the “Taishomachi 2-chome Intersection” just north of it. They usually happen around the same time, so if you’re at either spot, you’ll get to see one or two powerful performances! *In 2025, due to a gas leak incident at Mitsui Chemicals, it’s likely that each float only performed once.
Can I cross to the other side of the street?
This is super important! The short answer is, “You can cross sometimes during the performance times.” The roads are closed to traffic at 17:00, and you generally can’t cross without going all the way to the end of the parade route (which is pretty far!). However, once the performances start and the floats are stationary, they open up one crossing point in the middle of the venue. So, if there’s a specific float you absolutely must see, I recommend waiting on that side from the beginning. Plan ahead!
More Than Just the Festival! Must-Buy Souvenirs from Ōmuta & Nankan
The Quintessential Ōmuta Treat! “Kusaki Manju”
For locals, this is our soul food! The two main giants are “Kurodaya” and “Eguchi Ei Shoten.” Kurodaya offers various types and is easy to find, even in convenience stores. On the other hand, Eguchi Ei Shoten sticks to one traditional type! They don’t sell online, so it has a premium feel as something you can only buy in Ōmuta. Both are delicious, so try comparing them!
Great for a Laugh & Seriously Good! “Dai-Hard Curry”
This name and packaging are the best, right? 😂 It reminds you of a certain action movie! But the taste is the real deal. It’s a Western-style curry made with local delicacies and slow-cooked, tender Aso Akaushi beef tendon. You can find it at roadside stations and tourist plazas. How about getting it as the ultimate souvenir that’s both delicious and funny?
A Hit Even Outside Kyushu! “Nankan-age”
This one’s from our neighbors in Nankan Town! It’s a type of fried tofu, but it has a long shelf life and is incredibly versatile. Miso soup, udon, stews, inarizushi… whatever you put it in, it becomes fluffy, juicy, and soaks up flavor exquisitely! Once you try it, you’ll definitely be hooked. I buy it often, and it’s a foolproof souvenir that my friends always love!
Search for “Nankan-age” on Rakuten!Finally
This year, on the fourth Saturday and Sunday, local bus fares within Ōmuta city were 100 yen for adults and free for children (elementary school age and younger). Also, the bus service between Ōmuta Station West Exit and AEON MALL Ōmuta was free all day, with extra buses running!
Were you able to learn a lot about the Daijayama?
There are also Daijayama floats that don’t participate in the parade,
so I plan to introduce those in the next article!
Daijayama is the best!!
