A festival where faces painted on bellies dance through Furano’s summer
Hokkai Heso Festival
The 2026 edition of Hokkai Heso Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/28 〜 2026/07/29Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on July 28 and the 29th / Every year
- Area
- Hokkaido・Furano City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · 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
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Viewing is free. Joining in on the spot is charged separately.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Hokkai Heso Festival brightens Furano’s summer, with zubara odori, in which the belly is made to look like a face, taking center stage. The festival features dancing, , , a local specialties market, and more, centered on Ekimae-dori.
About Hokkai Heso Festival
The Hokkai Heso Festival is a summer festival held in Furano, considered the geographical center of Hokkaido.
“Zubara odori,” in which dancers paint a face on their belly and dance to music, is at the heart of the festival.
Events along Ekimae-dori include a heso specialties market and music and dance performances by local residents, bringing the town and people of Furano together to create the festival.
Source: 北海へそ祭り - Wikipedia / ふらの北海へそ祭り公式サイト
Festival highlights
The main highlight is zubara odori, in which dancers paint faces or characters on their bellies and dance.
Dancers hide their heads beneath large umbrellas and move with the belly paintings resembling faces, creating a scene unique to the Hokkai Heso Festival.
The program also includes a variety of events beyond dancing, such as children’s heso odori, a mikoshi procession, taiko performances, and a local specialties market featuring heso-themed foods.
Source: プログラム » ふらの北海へそ祭り
A festival where faces painted on bellies dance through Furano’s summer
What to expect
Festival stages and events take place mainly along Ekimae-dori, where you can enjoy taiko performances, calligraphy performances, and demonstrations of heso odori.
The Hokkai Heso Odori Contest takes place in the evening, with dancers performing while showing the faces painted on their bellies.
The venue also features a local specialties market and a food truck area, and events such as children’s dancing and a water-play fair are planned.
How to take part
Some events are open to the general public.
The 2026 information lists groups taking part in the Heso Odori Contest, and applications are also accepted on the official website.
A section for walk-on participation is also listed, offering opportunities to join the dancing as well as watch.
Participation requirements and available places vary by event, so check the details before applying.
If you would like to take part in the Heso Odori Contest or other events, check the information under “Participation Applications” on the official website.
A list of participating teams has been published for 2026, including groups from Furano and elsewhere.
Some events may allow walk-on participation, but not all programs are open to everyone, so check the participation requirements for each event.
Source: チーム一覧 » ふらの北海へそ祭り / 北海へそ祭り｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE!
Location and access
- Venue and address
The event is held across a wide area around JR Furano Station.
The main venues include Ekimae-dori and the special venue on Shin-Aioi-dori.
- Train and bus
Get off at JR Furano Station; it is about a 2-minute walk.
From Sapporo Station, the trip takes about 2 hours using the limited express. From Asahikawa Station, JR Furano Line service takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, according to the available information.
- By car
It is about 60 minutes from Asahikawa Airport.
- Parking
Furano Elementary School, Furano Library, the Sports Center, and the City Hall No. 2 parking lot are listed as parking options.
Large buses should use the designated spaces in the Health Center parking lot.
Please do not park at Geo Furano or Best Denki Furano.
Source: マップ » ふらの北海へそ祭り
Event venue 北海道富良野市 JR富良野駅周辺の広範囲
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, it was held on July 28 and the 29th.
On the 28th, a local specialties market and stage events took place from the afternoon, followed by the Hokkai Heso Odori Contest in the evening. On the 29th, the program included taiko performances, stage events, a local specialties market, and the Hokkai Heso Odori Contest, starting in the morning.
The Hokkai Heso Festival is held on the fixed dates of July 28 and the 29th each year.
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 Hokkaido / Furano City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venue covers a wide area around JR Furano Station, so checking the location and time of the events you want to see in advance can make it easier to get around.
The venue may become crowded during the dance contest and stage events, so allow plenty of time to move between locations.
If you arrive by car, use the designated parking lots and do not park in the lots of nearby businesses.
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include Furano Marche, Hokkaido’s Center Marker, Furano Winery and the Lavender Garden at Budogaoka Park, and the Furano Cheese Factory.
You can plan an itinerary that combines festival events with a visit to Furano’s food and local attractions.
Check each facility’s operating status and services before your visit.
風のガーデン
北海道富良野市の公園・庭園のスポットです。
Origins and History of Hokkai Heso Festival
The Hokkai Heso Festival began in 1969, at the same time as the Furano City Charter was established.
Since Hokushin Shrine, commonly known as Heso Shrine, was founded in 1974, the festival has been held as its annual grand festival.
Inspired by Furano City’s location at the geographical center of Hokkaido, the festival has continued with its distinctive zubara odori, in which dancers make their bellies look like faces.
Official information
Official information is available on the Furano Hokkai Heso Festival website.
Information is available on participation applications, participating groups, a venue map, the program, and how to dance.
The 58th festival program and venue guide have been published as part of the 2026 event information.
Hokkai Heso Festival at a Glance
Set against Furano’s geographical characteristics, the Hokkai Heso Festival is a summer festival centered on zubara odori, in which dancers paint faces on their bellies.
In 2026, events including a dance contest, mikoshi, taiko, and a local specialties market were held around Ekimae-dori on July 28 and the 29th.
This festival offers opportunities to apply to participate or join in on the spot, as well as watch, making it an event that locals and visitors can enjoy together.
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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