๐ 2026/3/20
#Tourist Destinations
Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival | Highlights, How to Enjoy, and History
Table of Contents
- What Is the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival?
- Highlights of the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
- History of the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
- How to Enjoy the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
Introduction
Every spring, the city of Beppu — which boasts the highest number of hot spring sources and the greatest volume of hot spring water in all of Japan — heralds the arrival of the season with the “Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival.” In 2026, as the 111th commemorative festival, special productions for the Ogiyama Fire Festival and a newly established Onsen Food Fest are planned, exceeding the events of previous years. This article comprehensively covers everything from the festival’s history to its highlights and the most efficient ways to get around, including the latest 2026 information.
This festival is a traditional event where the entire community comes together in gratitude for the blessings of hot springs. It is packed with unique experiences you can only have here, such as the “Ogiyama Fire Festival” and the “Yu-Bukkake (Hot Water Splashing) Festival”!
In this article, we provide detailed information about the 2026 Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, including the latest updates, highlights, history, and tips on how to enjoy it. Why not come and experience Beppu’s unique hot spring culture and the excitement of the festival for yourself?
What Is the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival?
The “Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival” is a traditional festival held every spring in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, to give thanks for the blessings of hot springs. Beppu has eight hot spring areas known as “Beppu Hatto,” each with its own distinct water quality and culture. During this festival, all of these hot spring areas come together to stage a variety of events.
As a festival unique to Beppu — one of Japan’s premier hot spring destinations — it features distinctive events themed around hot springs, such as the “Yu-Bukkake (Hot Water Splashing) Festival” and the “Furo Marathon.” Additionally, events you can only experience here, like the “Ogiyama Fire Festival” which engulfs Mount Ogiyama in flames, are packed into the schedule.
Every year, not only local residents but also hot spring enthusiasts and tourists from across the country visit, making it a major event that vividly enlivens springtime Beppu.
ใโ 2026 Event Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 1 (Tue) – April 6 (Sun), 2026 |
| Area | Entire Beppu City (Beppu Station area, various hot spring areas, Mt. Ogiyama, etc.) |
| Main Venues | Beppu Station Front Street, Mt. Ogiyama, various hot spring areas |
| Admission | Free (Some events and experience programs are paid) |
| Free Onsen | Approximately 88 hot springs throughout the city |
| Organizer | Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival Executive Committee |
| Official Website | Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival Official Website |
Highlights of the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival features a wide variety of events held in gratitude for the blessings of hot springs. Here we introduce the most noteworthy highlights.
ใ1. Ogiyama Fire Festival (April 2)
“A spectacular fire festival heralding the arrival of spring”
This is a mesmerizing controlled burn event where the entire mountainside of Mt. Ogiyama is set ablaze, with the rising flames dyeing the night sky red.
Originally started as **”pest control to protect farmland,”** it has now become an iconic spring tradition of Beppu.
Visible even from far away, this spectacle looks like a painting drawn on a giant canvas. The wave of flames illuminating the darkness of the night is truly breathtaking.
Standing before the blazing fire, you will truly appreciate the power of Beppu’s hot springs and the grandeur of nature.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | April 2, 2026 (Wed) Ignition around 6:00 PM |
| Venue | Mt. Ogiyama (Beppu City) |
| Highlights | Flames illuminating the night sky, the mystical mountain burn spectacle |
| Access | Approx. 20 min by bus from JR Beppu Station; parking available (note restricted areas) |
โ Recommended Points
- The powerful relay of flames is a must-see
- Held at night, so be prepared for cold weather
- Also popular as a photography spot
ใ2. Yu-Bukkake (Hot Water Splashing) Festival (April 6)
“Enjoy Beppu’s hot springs in a big way! A festival where everyone gets drenched”
The Yu-Bukkake Festival is the climactic event of the festival, where participants splash 111 tons of hot spring water on each other using buckets and ladles, praying for good health and freedom from illness.
With the meaning of **”warding off evil with the power of hot springs,”** it is also **”an important ceremony to show gratitude to the hot springs”** for the local people. Tourists are free to join in, and the station-front street is filled with excitement, smiles, and massive amounts of hot spring water flying everywhere!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | April 6, 2026 (Sun) Afternoon – Evening |
| Venue | Beppu Station Front Street |
| How to Join | Walk-in participation OK (waterproof measures required) |
| Highlights | A thrilling event of splashing hot spring water on each other |
โ Recommended Points
- You will get soaked, so bring towels and a change of clothes
- Experience the climax of the festival firsthand
- Since it is hot spring water, it is not cold!
ใ3. Furo Marathon (April 2 – 6)
“Hot Springs x Marathon! A new style of onsen experience touring Beppu’s local baths”
The Furo Marathon is a new experiential event combining hot spring hopping with a marathon.
Participants visit local communal baths (“jimo-sen”) while collecting onsen stamps — an irresistible program for hot spring lovers.
The “Full Furo Marathon” features a course visiting 42.195 baths, allowing participants to thoroughly enjoy Beppu’s rich variety of water qualities.
It also serves as an opportunity to discover the hot springs that locals frequent, providing a deeper experience of Beppu’s hot spring culture.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 2 (Wed) – April 6 (Sun), 2026 |
| How to Join | Pre-registration required (200 participants max, 6,000 yen fee) |
| Highlights | A unique event of collecting stamps while touring hot springs |
| Bonus | Participants who complete all baths receive an original T-shirt |
โ Recommended Points
- Perfect for hot spring enthusiasts
- Access “jimo-sen” baths that only locals know about
- Enjoy both exercise and relaxation
ใ4. Songkran Festival (April 5)
“Thailand x Japan! Beppu’s own Songkran using hot spring water”
In collaboration with Thailand’s New Year “Songkran (Water Festival),” a special Songkran Fest using Beppu’s hot spring water is held.
It is a valuable opportunity to experience a different culture while in Beppu, as an internationally vibrant festival!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | April 5, 2026 (Sat) |
| Venue | Within Beppu City (details to be announced) |
| Highlights | Splashing hot spring water with water guns and hoses |
| How to Join | Open participation (wear clothes you do not mind getting wet) |
โ Recommended Points
- An internationally vibrant and unique festival
- Thai food stalls also appear
- Bring your own water gun for extra fun!
ใ5. Yukemuri Grand Parade (April 6)
“A gorgeous costume parade as the festival’s grand finale”
On the final day of the festival, a grand costume parade is held along Beppu Station Front Street.
Local groups and tourists don their favorite costumes and parade down the street, creating a sense of unity with the cheering crowds along the route!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | April 6, 2026 (Sun) Afternoon |
| Venue | Beppu Station Front Street |
| Highlights | Local groups and tourists march in costumes |
| How to Join | Free to watch (cheer from the roadside) |
โ Recommended Points
- A lively atmosphere unique to Beppu
- Dress up in costume and join the parade for extra fun
- Traditional performing arts are also showcased
ใ6. Free Access to 88 Hot Springs (During the Festival)
During the festival period, approximately 88 hot springs throughout the city are opened free of charge. This is a great opportunity to enjoy hot springs that are normally paid!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 1 (Tue) – April 6 (Sun), 2026 |
| Eligible Facilities | Public bathhouses and ryokan hot springs in Beppu City |
| How to Join | Free bathing during the period (please share space during crowded times) |
โ Recommended Points
- Six days of paradise for hot spring lovers
- Try a variety of different water qualities
- Early morning baths are less crowded — a great tip
History of the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival is a traditional festival that began to celebrate Beppu’s hot spring culture and express gratitude for the blessings of hot springs. Beppu Onsen boasts the highest number of hot spring sources and volume of water in all of Japan, and has been beloved by people since ancient times. To protect these hot springs and revitalize the local community, the prototype of the current onsen festival began in the 1960s.
ใโ Beppu’s Hot Spring Culture and the Festival’s Origins
701 AD (Nara Period)
Records of Beppu Onsen appear in the “Bungo no Kuni Fudoki.” Hot springs were already in use at this time and closely tied to the daily lives of local people.Kamakura Period (1185-1333)
Warriors of the Kamakura Shogunate are said to have used Beppu’s hot springs for toji (therapeutic bathing). The value of the hot springs grew, and visitors for therapeutic purposes came from various regions.Edo Period (1603-1868)
The feudal lord of Bungo Province (present-day Oita Prefecture), the Lord of Takeda Castle, promoted the development of the hot springs, making Beppu’s hot spring areas nationally renowned.
During this period, local people held “hot spring gratitude ceremonies,” establishing a culture of giving thanks for the blessings of hot springs.
ใโก Postwar Tourism Development and the Festival’s Establishment
1950s (Showa 25~)
With postwar recovery, Beppu began to develop as one of Japan’s leading hot spring tourism destinations. Tourist numbers increased and efforts to promote hot spring culture were undertaken.1964 (Showa 39)
Led by the Beppu City Tourism Association, the first official festival was held as the **”Beppu Onsen Gratitude Festival.”** Initially, it centered on small-scale Shinto ceremonies conducted by local hot spring industry members.1976 (Showa 51)
The Mt. Ogiyama controlled burn event — the predecessor of the current “Ogiyama Fire Festival” — was opened to tourists. This became a signature event of the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival.
ใโข Expansion of the Festival and Nationwide Recognition
1980s (Showa 55~)
The festival was officially named “Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival,” and various hot spring events began to be held across the area. The initiative to open local hot spring facilities for free was started, attracting many tourists.1990s (Heisei 2~)
- The “Yu-Bukkake Festival” was held on a trial basis. Initially a local-only event, it gradually expanded to welcome tourists.
- The “Yukemuri Grand Parade” was introduced as the festival finale and became established as a citizen-participation event.
- The Ogiyama Fire Festival production was enhanced, and the mountain burn’s spectacle became nationally renowned.
ใโฃ Evolution from the 2000s Onward
2000s (Heisei 12~)
- The “Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival” was recognized as a representative tourism event of Oita Prefecture.
- PR activities intensified, and the festival evolved into an event attracting hot spring fans from across the nation.
- The “Free Access to 88 Hot Springs” program was fully implemented and became popular among international visitors as well.
2010 (Heisei 22)
- As part of the Tourism Agency’s “Tourism Nation Promotion Plan,” the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival strengthened promotional activities targeting international visitors.
- Guided tours for international visitors and multilingual information services increased.
ใโค Recent Development and Commemorative Events
2019 (Heisei 31)
- As a first-ever initiative, the “Furo Marathon” combining hot springs and a marathon was held.
- The “Full Furo Marathon” visiting 42.195 baths became a hot topic and a popular event among tourists.
2020 (Reiwa 2)
- Due to the impact of COVID-19, the festival was partially scaled down, but online events and live streaming were implemented.
- New methods of promoting hot spring culture were adopted.
2024 (Reiwa 6)
- To commemorate **Beppu City’s 100th anniversary**, a special “Ogiyama Fire Festival” was held.
- In addition to a larger-than-usual mountain burn, fireworks were launched, creating unprecedented production that became a topic of conversation.
2026 (Reiwa 7)
- As the **”111th Commemorative Event,”** a “Yu-Bukkake Festival” using 111 tons of hot spring water is planned.
- The collaboration event with Thailand’s water festival “Songkran” is fully implemented, evolving the festival into an internationally vibrant celebration.
How to Enjoy the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival is packed with events that let you fully enjoy the hot spring culture and local excitement.
If you are visiting as a tourist, planning ahead on how to enjoy the festival will help you make the most of your time.
Here we introduce tips for making the most of the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, including recommended routes for beginners and experienced visitors alike.
ใ1. Model Courses for Tourists
Planning according to your length of stay and goals will help you enjoy the festival efficiently.
One-Day “Express Plan”
- 10:00~ Arrive at Beppu Station & experience a “jimo-sen” during the free onsen period
- 11:30~ Explore the shopping streets near Beppu Station (enjoy local gourmet food)
- 13:00~ Join the main events (Yukemuri Grand Parade or Yu-Bukkake Festival)
- 15:00~ Take a break with sweets like onsen-steamed pudding
- 16:00~ Visit Beppu sightseeing spots (Jigoku Meguri or Umi Jigoku)
- 18:00~ Watch the Ogiyama Fire Festival (on designated dates only)
- 20:00~ One last dip in a Beppu hot spring
Two-Day “Hot Spring Paradise Plan”
Day 1
- 10:00~ Arrive at Beppu Station & join the Furo Marathon (start your onsen tour)
- 12:00~ Enjoy local cuisine at the Beppu Donburi Fest
- 14:00~ Stroll through hot spring towns (Kannawa Onsen or Myoban Onsen)
- 16:00~ Watch the Ogiyama Fire Festival (on designated dates only)
- 19:00~ Stay overnight at a Beppu onsen ryokan & dinner
Day 2
- 8:00~ Early morning onsen hopping & local breakfast (onsen-steamed dishes recommended)
- 10:00~ Experience the Songkran Festival water-splashing
- 12:00~ Join the Yu-Bukkake Festival & experience the festival climax
- 15:00~ Visit scenic spots in Beppu (Yukemuri Observation Deck or Umi Jigoku)
- 17:00~ Wrap up with one final hot spring & head home
2026 Latest Information
In 2026, the 112th Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival is scheduled to be held from April 1 to 5. As in previous years, on April 1st — “Hot Spring Gratitude Day” — over 100 communal hot springs throughout the city will be opened free of charge. Signature events including the Ogiyama Fire Festival, Yukemuri Grand Parade, and Yu-Bukkake Festival are also planned.
Detailed programs and transportation information will be updated on the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival official website, so please check before your visit.
Summary
The “Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival” is a spring celebration that unites gratitude for the blessings of hot springs with the vitality of the local community. From the Ogiyama Fire Festival that scorches the night sky, to the Yu-Bukkake Festival where cheers ring out amid clouds of steam, the unique Furo Marathon, free hot spring access, and local gourmet food stalls — this is a rare opportunity to enjoy Beppu’s hot spring culture with all five senses. In 2026, special programs unique to the commemorative festival are also being added, and the excitement is expected to surpass previous years. Please come and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience that hot springs and festivals create in springtime Beppu.