Tamaseseri: Hakozaki Shrine's New Year Ball-Grabbing Festival

On January 3, loincloth-clad teams splash through icy water in Fukuoka to grasp a sacred wooden ball and predict the year's fortune.

Published October 21, 2026 at 6:20 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Tamaseseri is a New Year festival held every January 3 at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka, on Kyushu. Teams of men in white loincloths, one representing the land and the other the sea, struggle over a purified wooden ball while being splashed with cold water. The side that carries it to the shrine priest is said to foretell a good harvest or a rich catch.

For many Fukuoka families, a New Year visit to Hakozaki Shrine is routine, and the bold spectacle of Tamaseseri is part of the season's excitement. It is loud, wet, joyful and deeply rooted in local belief. This guide explains what the name means, how the festival may have begun, the order of events, the meaning of the two teams, and how spectators can find a good spot. It also shares practical tips on getting there and dressing for a very cold afternoon.

What does Tamaseseri mean?

Tamaseseri is written 玉せせり or 玉取祭 (Tamatori-sai), and it means roughly "ball scramble." The word tama means ball or jewel, and seseri carries the sense of competing for or touching something. The festival is held at Hakozaki Shrine, also called Hakozakigu, in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City.

The central object is a pair of wooden balls that have been ritually purified by the shrine. They measure about 28 centimeters across and weigh roughly eight kilograms each, so moving one through a crowd is a serious test of strength. The balls are treated as sacred, and touching them is believed to protect a person from misfortune in the year ahead.

The participants, known as seriko, are men who wear only loincloths. Their bare-chested approach on a cold January day is part of the festival's identity. It is a purifying act as much as a contest, and the cold water poured over the crowd belongs to the same ritual spirit.

History and origins

No one knows exactly when Tamaseseri began, but local sources describe a tradition that goes back several centuries, to the Muromachi period or earlier. The festival is often said to have evolved from a New Year custom called Tamahayashi, which was once held at Ebisu shrines across Japan.

Several tales explain the origin of the balls. One legend says Empress Jingu offered two balls to the dragon god when she sent troops across the sea to the Korean Peninsula. Another says two balls were discovered on the beach beside the shrine on a New Year's Day long ago. A third describes a mysterious ball floating in Hakata Bay that was enshrined and later joined by a second.

These stories overlap in their themes: the sea, offerings to a dragon god, and the arrival of sacred objects from the water. Taken together, they help explain why the festival places the ocean and the land at its center. Similar ball festivals once existed in other parts of Fukuoka, and in some Hakata neighborhoods, children carried small balls from house to house on New Year's Day.

About Hakozaki Shrine

Hakozaki Shrine was founded in 923 and honors Hachiman, a protective kami, especially Emperor Ojin, Empress Jingu and Tamayori-bime. It is counted as the first shrine of the old Chikuzen Province and has been an important spiritual center for the Hakata area for roughly a thousand years.

The shrine's tower gate bears a large plaque with the calligraphic phrase "Tekikoku kofuku," meaning "may enemy nations surrender." It was placed there after the shrine was rebuilt following the Mongol invasions of the thirteenth century. The main hall, worship hall, tower gate and main torii have been recognized as important cultural properties.

Besides Tamaseseri in January, the shrine is also known for the Hojoya festival in September, a week-long event that draws large crowds. Hakozaki Shrine is also well known for its seasonal flowers, which makes the grounds worth a stroll before or after the festival.

When and where it is held

Tamaseseri takes place every year on January 3, in the afternoon, at Hakozaki Shrine. Published schedules have listed a start around one o'clock and a total length of about ninety minutes, but programs can change. Confirm the details on the shrine's official website or with Fukuoka's tourism office before you travel.

The event moves along a short route of about 250 meters. It starts near Tamatori Ebisu Shrine on the grounds and finishes at the shrine itself. Because the action is concentrated along that single path, the viewing areas are small, and spectators often arrive well ahead of time to find a place.

What happens: the order of events

Around the start time, the two wooden balls are purified in a ceremony and brought to the starting point. Purification is a core part of Shinto practice, and it makes the balls sacred objects before the contest begins. Afterward, the contest begins with the waiting seriko.

Two teams then compete. One team, from the inland side of the shrine, represents farmers and the land. The other, from the seaside, represents fishermen and the sea. Each side tries to push, pull and carry the ball toward the finish line, with teammates forming a surging mass around it. Cold water is splashed over the participants throughout, despite the icy January air.

The event ends when the person holding the ball presents it to the priest at the shrine. The ball is handed over, and the winning side celebrates. Tradition holds that if the land side wins, a good harvest is expected, and if the sea side wins, a rich catch awaits. Either outcome is greeted with cheers because both promise a prosperous year.

Highlights and unique features

The most striking feature is the sheer physical drama. The seriko push through the crowd as a tight mass while onlookers cheer. There is little ceremony between moments of struggle, which gives the event its raw energy. The rhythm of the shouting and the splashing of water make it feel like a living portrait of winter in Hakata.

Another special point is how the festival blends two sets of beliefs: the earth's harvest and the sea's bounty. This pairing mirrors the history of Hakata as both a farming region and a major port. The outcome of the contest is read as a forecast for the whole local community, which gives each team a strong sense of purpose.

There is also a family-friendly side. Many people visit the shrine on January 3 for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, and watching Tamaseseri becomes part of the same outing. The traditional New Year atmosphere around the grounds makes the day pleasant even for those who prefer to watch from a distance.

Costumes, symbols and customs

The seriko wear loincloths, called fundoshi, and little else. This simple dress is part of the purifying spirit of the event and shows readiness for the struggle ahead. The bare, steaming effort of the crowd contrasts with the calm shrine buildings and the winter sky.

The balls themselves are the most important symbols. They are said to represent yin and yang, the paired forces of balance in East Asian thought, and they are believed to ward off bad spirits. Touching one is considered lucky, which is why spectators near the action may reach out when the crowd passes by.

Water is another essential symbol. Cold water is poured over the participants to purify them and to heighten the sense of winter ritual. Anyone standing close to the route should expect to be splashed.

How to get there and where to watch

Hakozaki Shrine is easy to reach from Hakata Station. The Fukuoka subway Hakozaki Line stops at Hakozakimiya-mae Station, about a three-minute walk from the shrine's entrance. JR Hakozaki Station on the Kagoshima Main Line is also nearby, at roughly an eight-minute walk. Both can be reached from the Hakata area with a short ride.

Watching is generally free. The best views are along the path from Tamatori Ebisu Shrine to the main shrine, but the crowd can be dense. Arriving early gives you the best chance of a view, and standing a little away from the front helps you stay dry and comfortable.

Tips for visitors and festival etiquette

Dress warmly, in layers and a waterproof jacket, and consider bringing a small towel or a change of socks in case of splashes. Spectators close to the action may get wet, so protect phones and cameras. Wear shoes that handle cold, wet ground.

Treat the event as the religious ceremony it is. Follow staff instructions, keep to the designated viewing areas and avoid blocking the route. Be thoughtful about photography: public shots of the procession are welcome, but close-up photos of individual participants are best taken with consideration. Also, keep in mind that New Year crowds at the shrine can be large, so allow extra time for travel.

Combine it with nearby sights

The same trip can include a New Year visit to the shrine itself, where you can purchase omamori charms and see the tower gate. Hakata's famous shrines, temples and shopping areas are a short train ride away, and the city's food stalls are a good place to warm up afterward with a bowl of Hakata ramen or other local food.

Fukuoka City is also a good base for day trips around Kyushu. With a little planning, a New Year trip to Fukuoka can blend tradition, nature and plenty of good eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Tamaseseri held?

Tamaseseri is held every year on January 3 at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka. Published schedules have placed it in the early afternoon and described it as lasting about an hour and a half. Because programs can change, check the shrine's official site before you go and plan to arrive early for a view.

What do the two teams represent?

One team represents the land and farmers, while the other represents the sea and fishermen. They compete for a purified wooden ball, and the side that delivers it to the priest is believed to foretell a good outcome: a plentiful harvest for the land team, or a rich catch for the sea team.

Is it safe and free to watch?

Spectators can generally watch for free from the sides of the route. The event is physical and the crowd can be dense, so keep a safe distance, follow staff directions and expect to get splashed with cold water. Dress warmly, and confirm any current viewing rules on the official website.

Further Reading

To explore further, see Hakozakigu Shrine (Japan National Tourism Organization), Hakozaki Shrine (Wikipedia) and Tamaseseri Festival (Crossroad Fukuoka).

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Hakata Gion Yamakasa: Fukuoka's Racing Float Festival, Fukuoka City Guide: Food Stalls, Temples and Easy Charm and Hadaka Matsuri: Japan's Winter Purification Festivals.