In this lively drum festival people parade through Kokura while beating drums attached to floats.
These drums are beat on both sides, which is unusual in Japan.
The stirring sound of the drums is imbued with desires for peace, national security, bumper crops, flourishing business, and family safety. It has been said since long ago that the Gion drums prevent summer troubles.
Adults and children alike participate in the festival's main attraction--a competition in which groups wearing matching happi coats perform traditional drumming.