Published October 20, 2026 at 7:54 PM JST

Each April the hot spring city of Beppu in Oita celebrates its eight onsen areas with shrine processions, community baths, a spring fire on Mount Ogi and a famously splashy street event.

Quick answer: The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, usually called the Beppu Onsen Festival, is Oita Prefecture's annual celebration of the hot springs that define the city. It is typically held around April 1, which is Onsen Appreciation Day, and through the first weekend of April, with organizers setting the exact days each year. Highlights include mikoshi processions, a controlled spring fire on Mount Ogi and the Yu-bukkake Festival, in which hot spring water is splashed along the street in front of Beppu Station.

A festival that says thank you to the hot springs

Beppu is one of the best-known hot spring cities in Japan, and every spring it dedicates several days to saying thank you for the water that shapes daily life there. The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, known in Japanese as Beppu Hatto Onsen Matsuri, is described by a regional tourism site as a historic festival that gives thanks to the rich hot springs of the city. The festival centers on April 1, which is designated as Onsen Appreciation Day, and it continues through the first weekend of April.

The word hatto means eight hot springs, and it refers to the eight onsen areas that make up Beppu: Beppu, Myoban, Horita, Shibaishi, Kannawa, Kankaiji, Kamegawa and Hamawaki, according to a regional guide. The festival grew into a citywide celebration of all of them, and today events are held in many parts of the city.

For visitors, the festival is a good chance to enjoy Beppu at its liveliest. Food stalls open, shrine groups parade through shopping arcades, and people take time out to soak in the baths. In 2026 the festival was the 112th edition, according to a travel guide, which gives a sense of how long the tradition has been part of local life.

From a hot spring sale to a citywide celebration

The roots of the festival go back to 1910. A regional guide explains that the Beppu commerce association, now the Beppu Chamber of Commerce, organized a hot spring market sale during the quiet period for farming, with the goal of bringing visitors to town. The idea was to celebrate the prosperity that the onsen brought to the area.

A shrine element was added in 1919, when the Onsen Shrine was founded, according to the same guide, and its ritual procession became part of the festival. After the war the shrine was merged into Hachiman Asami Shrine, which remains an important venue for the opening events. In the early Showa era the sale and the shrine ritual combined into a spring harvest celebration held on April 1.

In 2001 the festival took the name Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival and grew into a citywide event, as the guide describes it. The Mount Ogi fire was added in 1976, according to the same source, as a way to turn an older custom of burning grass in spring into a full festival event. Not every source gives exactly the same milestones, so if you are interested in the details, check the festival's own history page.

Mikoshi processions and shrine rituals

Shrine ceremonies are the spiritual heart of the festival. The opening ceremony in 2026, according to a travel guide, was held at Yahata Asami Shrine, where a sacred fire was lit. That flame is carried to Mount Ogi the next day for the spring fire. The tradition shows how the festival links the shrine with the surrounding landscape.

The mikoshi, or portable shrines, are carried through the shopping streets by teams of bearers. A regional guide explains that the shrine's mikoshi is splashed with hot spring water during the procession, in an event known as yu-bukkake. The splashing is a purification and a celebration at the same time, and it is the reason the festival has become famous for its lively, wet finish.

Because the mikoshi parade moves through busy shopping streets, it is a good opportunity to see how the shrine and the community work together. Local groups, shop owners and neighbors all play a part, and the rhythmic shouting of the bearers carries a long way.

The Mount Ogi spring fire

One of the festival's most dramatic events is the Ogiyama Fire Festival. Mount Ogi rises above Beppu, and on the evening of the fire a large area of dry grass is deliberately burned in a controlled way to welcome spring. According to a travel guide, the 2026 edition was the 50th anniversary of the event, and fireworks began at 7:00 in the evening.

The burn is a spectacle that can be seen from many places in the city. The same guide recommends viewing it from the city center or from the area around Beppu Tower, and notes that if rain forces a postponement, there are backup dates announced in advance. A national tourism page adds that the burning of the dry grass is a ritual that marks the end of winter, though other accounts describe it simply as a welcome to spring.

Because this is a fire event, safety matters. Follow the instructions of organizers, keep to the designated viewing areas, and check the festival's official site for notices about weather and postponements.

Yu-bukkake: the splashing hot spring street party

The most talked about event is the Yu-bukkake Festival, which took place on the final day in 2026. According to a travel guide, in 2026 about 213 tons of hot spring water was prepared to fill the main street in front of Beppu Station, while a national tourism page describes it as at least 100 tons, so it is safest to say that well over a hundred tons of water is involved. Mikoshi are carried down the street while the crowd scoops water from buckets and ladles to splash the bearers and one another.

It is an exuberant, friendly event, and it is more of a party than a solemn rite. Buckets are provided along the route, according to the same guide. If you plan to join in, wear clothes that you do not mind getting wet, bring a towel and a change of clothes, and protect your phone and camera in waterproof bags.

Spectators who prefer to stay dry can watch from the edges, though some splashing is almost certain. The event is meant to be fun for everyone, so keep a cheerful attitude and take care around children and older relatives.

Baths, marathons and other festival highlights

Because this is a hot spring festival, the baths are a highlight. A regional guide says that in most years many of Beppu's community baths are opened free of charge during the festival, and a national tourism page also mentions free onsen, though conditions can change from year to year. Check the official site for which baths are open and what the rules are before you go.

One of the festival's playful events is the Furo Marathon. According to a travel guide, participants in 2026 used a stamp booklet to visit community baths, aiming for 42.195 baths to match the distance of a marathon. A half-marathon version of 21.195 baths was also offered. It was explained as not being a speed competition, and registration was required in advance, so it is a charming way to explore the neighborhoods of Beppu.

Food is also part of the fun. Yatai stalls appear around the festival area, and the guide notes that many venues give out small tastings such as zenzai, amazake and mochi, which tend to run out quickly. The city also hosts a cultural event related to the Thai New Year in the festival period, according to the same guide, which adds an international note.

Getting to Beppu and planning a visit

Beppu is on the Nippo Main Line, and the main station is JR Beppu Station, which can be reached by train from cities such as Oita and Kokura, according to a travel guide. A national tourism page describes a walk from the station to the main festival street, and the Yu-bukkake events take place right in front of the station. A plaza near the station's east exit serves as a hub, with local buses connecting other parts of the city.

Booking accommodation early is wise for a festival weekend. The festival is spread across several days and many venues, so it helps to plan which events matter most to you. If you only have one day, many visitors choose the final day for the mikoshi and the splashing, while the evening of the Mount Ogi fire is the best choice for those who love spectacles with fire.

Etiquette in the baths is simple but important. Wash before entering, keep towels out of the water, and follow the posted rules at each facility. Respect local residents who use the community baths as part of daily life, and be quiet and considerate, especially in small neighborhood baths.

The festival is run as a citywide event, with a festival secretariat and an official website that lists the schedule, traffic notices and details of each event. A regional tourism site classifies it as a festival of nature and traditional performing arts. Its long history, going back more than a century, is one reason it is so cherished in Beppu.

Dates are normally anchored on April 1 and the first weekend of April, but the exact days vary from year to year. In 2026, for example, the festival ran from April 1 to April 5. Always confirm the dates and event times on the official Beppu festival site or through the city before you plan your trip.

Combined with the surrounding attractions of Beppu, such as the steaming hot spring landscapes the city is known for, the festival offers a warm, welcoming way to start the spring season. Whether you come for the fire, the mikoshi, the baths or the splashing, there is a good chance of finding something to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Beppu Onsen Festival held?

It is typically held from around April 1, Onsen Appreciation Day, through the first weekend of April. In 2026 it ran from April 1 to 5. The organizers set the exact days each year, so check the official Beppu festival website before you travel.

What does Hatto mean?

Hatto means eight hot springs, and refers to the eight onsen areas of Beppu: Beppu, Myoban, Horita, Shibaishi, Kannawa, Kankaiji, Kamegawa and Hamawaki. The festival took the name Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival when it grew into a citywide event, according to a regional guide.

Do I need to get wet at the Yu-bukkake Festival?

Spectators can stand back, but the crowd splashes hot spring water from buckets and ladles, so it is hard to stay completely dry near the street. If you want to join in, wear clothes you do not mind getting wet and bring a towel and a change of clothes.

Further reading: the official Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival site, the travel guide to the 2026 Beppu Onsen Festival and the Japan National Tourism Organization page on traditional performances and festivals.

Keep exploring: Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Matsuri: A Mountain Village's Winter Fire Prayer; Yoshida Fire Festival: Mount Fuji's Season-Closing Night of Torches; Nagasaki Lantern Festival: 15,000 Glowing Lanterns on Kyushu's Harbor City; Hakata Dontaku: Golden Week Parades Rooted in a Centuries-Old Custom.