The prayers of Hoshino conveyed through Furyu drumming and white-fan dance
Hanya-mai
The 2026 edition of Hanya-mai has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/09/20Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year in September / Every year
- Location
- Grounds of Aso Shrine, Hoshi no Furusato Park (Ikenoyama)
- Area
- Fukuoka Prefecture・Yame City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A traditional performing art of Furyu and fan dancing, passed down at Aso Shrine in Hoshino Village, Yame City. The sound of drums and gongs and the white-fan dance are dedicated alongside prayers associated with Aso Pond.
About Hanya-mai
Hanya-mai is a traditional dance performance passed down at Aso Shrine in Hoshino Village, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
It is designated as a nationally selected Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and a Fukuoka Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Consisting of “Furyu” and “Hanya-mai,” it has been passed down alongside prayers associated with Aso Pond, considered a sacred place in Hoshino.
It is dedicated every year in September on the grounds of Aso Shrine.
Source: 風流・はんや舞｜星野村観光ナビ｜一般財団法人 星のふるさと
Festival highlights
One of the highlights is how the vigorous “Furyu” and quiet “Hanya-mai” come together as a single dedication performance.
In Furyu, performers wearing red or white fur-like head coverings dance while beating drums and gongs.
In Hanya-mai, young men dressed in kamishimo face one another with white fans in hand and perform the dance to cries of “Hanya.”
Enjoy the contrasting expressions of percussion and fan dancing.
The prayers of Hoshino conveyed through Furyu drumming and white-fan dance
What to expect
The dedication features Furyu, performed with drums and gongs, and Hanya-mai, performed with white fans.
Furyu performers dance vigorously wearing fur-like head coverings, while the young men performing Hanya-mai dance quietly facing one another and calling out in rhythm.
The dances are dedicated at Aso Shrine and, in case of rain, take place at a different venue.
The detailed order of the program has not been announced.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Grounds of Aso Shrine, Hoshi no Furusato Park (Ikenoyama) / Hoshino Village, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
In case of rain, the event will be held at the Hoshino General Health and Welfare Center “Soyokaze.”
- Train and bus
From JR Hainuzuka Station, transfer in Yame City and take the Horikawa Bus (Haya Line) for about 20 minutes to Fukushima bus stop. Then transfer to the Horikawa Bus (Hoshino Line) and ride for about 40 minutes to Ikenoyama-mae bus stop.
The journey from JR Hainuzuka Station is listed as taking about 90 minutes.
- By car
It is about 45 minutes by car from Hirokawa Interchange or Yame Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway.
It is about 30 minutes from Haki Interchange on the Oita Expressway.
Source: 風流・はんや舞／八女市ホームページ / 交通アクセス｜星野村観光ナビ｜一般財団法人 星のふるさと
Address Hoshino Village, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed date has passed)
The announced 2026 schedule was for September 20 (Sunday), starting at 9:30 a.m.
The venue is the grounds of Aso Shrine in Hoshi no Furusato Park (Ikenoyama). In case of rain, it will move to the Hoshino General Health and Welfare Center “Soyokaze.”
It is dedicated annually in September.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Fukuoka Prefecture / Yame City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The 2026 venue is the grounds of Aso Shrine, but in case of rain, it will move to the Hoshino General Health and Welfare Center “Soyokaze.”
As the venue may change depending on the weather, it’s a good idea to confirm the location before heading out on the day.
The announced start time is 9:30 a.m.
Nearby attractions
Around Hoshino Village, facilities listed as accessible on foot from Ikenoyama-mae bus stop include Ikenoyama-so, the Tea Culture Museum, and the Star Culture Museum.
The walk is listed as 10 minutes to Ikenoyama-so, 20 minutes to the Tea Culture Museum, and 30 minutes to the Star Culture Museum.
If you plan to visit alongside the festival, check each facility’s opening status and conditions of use.
Origins and History of Hanya-mai
The origins of Hanya-mai are unclear, but Aso Pond has long been revered as a sacred place through worship of the water deity, said to have begun in the Yayoi culture period.
It is said that Hanya-mai and Furyu, considered remnants of court dances that originated in the Heian period, were incorporated into the rituals for praying for fair or rainy weather and for calm winds held there.
In Showa 53, the government selected it as an intangible folk cultural property for which measures such as the preparation of records should be undertaken.
Official information
The Yame City website’s “Furyu and Hanya-mai” page provides information about the event date and time, venue, and changes in case of rain.
The Hoshino Village Tourism Guide also provides information about the event’s program, origins, and venue.
For inquiries, contact the General Affairs Section at Yame City’s Hoshino Branch Office (tel. 0943-52-3111).
Hanya-mai at a Glance
Hanya-mai is a traditional performing art dedicated at Aso Shrine, passed down through generations and consisting of Furyu and fan dancing.
Furyu, danced to the sound of drums and gongs, is presented in contrast with the quiet Hanya-mai, performed with white fans.
In 2026, it will be held on September 20, with the Hoshino General Health and Welfare Center “Soyokaze” serving as the venue in case of rain.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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