A hot spring festival giving thanks for the blessings of the hot springs and bringing color to spring in Beppu
Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
The 2026 edition of Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/04/01 〜 2026/04/05Ended
- Season / frequency
- Each year, centered around the weekend of the first week of April 1 and April / Every year
- Location
- Beppu Ekimae-dori, venues in various neighborhoods, and other locations (throughout Beppu City)
- Area
- Oita Prefecture・Beppu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 35 min–1 h 55 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.
- Features
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Some events require a fee
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, a celebration of gratitude for the blessings of the hot springs. The Fire Festival, , Hot Water Splashing Festival, and street parades bring color to spring in Beppu.
About Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival is a celebration of gratitude for the abundant blessings of Beppu Hatto’s hot springs.
Beppu City designates April 1 each year as “Onsen Appreciation Day,” and events are held throughout the city to mark the arrival of spring.
Hot spring-related events are combined with local festivities, offering an opportunity to experience Beppu’s hot spring culture in all its breadth.
Source: 別府八湯温泉まつり - Wikipedia / 別府八湯温泉まつり | 日本一の「おんせん県」大分県の観光情報公式サイト
Festival highlights
Highlights include a variety of hot spring-themed events, such as the Ougiyama Fire Festival, mikoshi processions, and the Hot Water Splashing Festival.
On the final day, a parade takes place in the city center, with marching bands, the fire department, police, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and others participating.
One distinctive feature is that visitors can enjoy both events celebrating the blessings of the hot springs and a dazzling procession through the streets of Beppu.
A hot spring festival giving thanks for the blessings of the hot springs and bringing color to spring in Beppu
What to expect
During the festival, events related to hot springs, mikoshi processions, the Fire Festival, the Hot Water Splashing Festival, and more take place throughout the city.
A parade is scheduled for the final day, with mikoshi and musical groups making their way through the streets.
Times vary by venue, so it’s easier to take part if you decide which events you want to see and check their locations and times for the day.
How to take part
This festival is enjoyed by local residents and visitors from across Japan and overseas.
The festival is mainly presented as a series of events to watch, such as mikoshi processions and parades. Whether general visitors can take part as performers varies by event.
If you are interested in participatory activities, check the information for each venue.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Beppu Ekimae-dori, venues in various neighborhoods, and other locations (throughout Beppu City)
On April 5, 2026, some bus routes will be changed to start and end at Beppu Kitahama ⑤ due to traffic restrictions on Beppu Ekimae-dori.
Source: アーカイブ | [公式] 亀の井バス株式会社
Event venue 大分県別府市 別府駅前通り
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held from April 1 (Wednesday) to April 5 (Sunday).
Each year, April 1 is designated “Onsen Appreciation Day” in Beppu City, and events are typically held around the weekend of the first week of April 1 and April.
Event times vary by venue, so check the schedule for each event on each day.
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 Oita Prefecture / Beppu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venues extend beyond Beppu Ekimae-dori to neighborhoods throughout Beppu City.
On April 5, 2026, traffic restrictions were in effect on Beppu Ekimae-dori from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some bus routes were diverted.
When visiting, check the venue and time of the events you want to see, and allow plenty of time for travel on days when traffic restrictions are in effect.
Nearby attractions
ジュピター
大分県別府市の城島高原パークにある木製コースター
ラクテンチ
大分県別府市にある遊園地
八幡朝見神社
大分県別府市にある神社
別府タワー
大分県別府市にある観光塔
別府公園
大分県別府市にある総合公園
別府市美術館
大分県別府市にある美術館
城島高原パーク
大分県別府市にある遊園地
大分香りの博物館
別府市の博物館
火男火売神社
大分県別府市にある神社
Origins and History of Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
Beppu Hatto is the collective name for eight of the city’s most representative hot spring areas.
According to information from Beppu City, these originally flourished as independent hot spring areas, and some of the oldest have a history dating back to the early 8th century.
Beppu Onsen developed significantly from the Meiji era onward with the growth of the port, railways, and drilling technology. Today’s hot spring festival is presented as a spring event in which Beppu residents take part.
Source: 別府八湯ガイド｜別府市
Official information
The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival website is listed as the official source of information.
Information on the 2026 event dates, venues, fees, and times at each venue was also published on Oita Prefecture’s official tourism information website.
For inquiries, contact the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival Executive Committee Secretariat [Beppu City Tourism Association].
Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival at a Glance
The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival is a spring event in Beppu City where visitors can enjoy fire festivals, mikoshi, the Hot Water Splashing Festival, parades, and more while giving thanks for the blessings of the hot springs.
In 2026, the festival was held from April 1 through the 5th at venues throughout the city, including Beppu Ekimae-dori.
Travel conditions vary by day, including traffic restrictions on the final day, so it’s a good idea to check the venue and time for each event before visiting.
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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