Man in traditional costume beating drums - stock photo

Smiling man in traditional outfit, Fukuoka (aka Hakata), Japan. Festival has history reaching back more than 830 years, when merchants of Hakata organized a New Yearâ??s parade, Matsubayashi, in honor of their feudal lord. These traditional origins can still be seen every May 3 in Dontaku Matsubayashi Parade, a colorful procession with dancing adults and children and 120 groups of about 12,000 local people in traditional dress, all performing matsubayashi custom of greeting each other through song and dance. Procession has remained unchanged since Middle Ages and has been designated an Intangible Cultural Property by Fukuoka Prefecture.