Kunisaki’s traditional fire festival, where Kebesu and Touba send sparks flying
Kebesu Festival
The 2026 edition of Kebesu Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/14Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on October 14 / Every year
- Location
- Kushiku Shrine (Iwakura Hachiman Shrine)
- Area
- Oita Prefecture・Kunisaki 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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This fire festival takes place at Kushiku Shrine in Kunimi Town, Kunisaki City, where Kebesu, wearing a mask, and Touba, dressed in white, face off around a blazing fire. It is known as a distinctive event whose origins are unclear, featuring dramatic scenes with sparks flying.
About Kebesu Festival
The Kebesu Festival is a fire festival held at Kushiku Shrine (Iwakura Hachiman Shrine) in Kushiku, Kunimi Town, Kunisaki City.
Its origins and history are said to be entirely unknown. Kebesu, wearing a bizarre mask, and Touba, dressed in white, battle around a blazing fire.
It is said that being showered with sparks brings good health and protection from illness. The festival is a Nationally Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property passed down by local parishioners.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the unusual contest around the fire between Kebesu, who wears a mask, and Touba, dressed in white.
When the ferns piled up in the are set alight, Kebesu tries to charge into the fire, while Touba holds him back.
Finally, Touba raises a burning fern on the end of a pole and runs around the shrine grounds and beyond, creating a spectacular scene as sparks fill the air.
Source: ケベス祭り | 日本一の「おんせん県」大分県の観光情報公式サイト
Kunisaki’s traditional fire festival, where Kebesu and Touba send sparks flying
What to expect
At the festival, Touba gather dressed in white and proceed to the garden fire after a procession that includes Kebesu.
Kebesu repeatedly tries to break through the Touba guarding the fire, stirring the burning ferns with a pole and scattering sparks.
Afterwards, Touba run around the shrine grounds and beyond carrying burning ferns, while worshippers watch the event and avoid the sparks.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kushiku Shrine (Iwakura Hachiman Shrine) / Kushiku, Kunimi Town, Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture
- Train and bus
It takes about 40 minutes by car from JR Kitsuki Station to Kunisaki City.
- By car
It takes about 55 minutes from Usa City via Prefectural Route 29.
It takes about 15–20 minutes by car from Oita Airport to Kunisaki City Hall.
Source: ケベス祭り 櫛来社（岩倉八幡社） - 大分県国東市ホームページ｜1300年前から続く、仏の里くにさき / 国東市への交通アクセス - 大分県国東市ホームページ｜1300年前から続く、仏の里くにさき
Address 872-1406 Kushiku, Kunimi Town, Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
It was announced that the event was scheduled to take place on October 14 (Wednesday) in 2026.
The venue is Kushiku Shrine in Kunimi Town, Kunisaki City, and the announced start time is 6 p.m.
It is known as an autumn grand festival held every year on October 14.
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 / Kunisaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As sparks fly into the shrine grounds where spectators are gathered, please do not get too close to the fire and pay attention to what is happening around you while watching.
The festival takes place at dusk, with Touba running around the shrine grounds and beyond carrying burning ferns.
Keep a safe distance so that sparks do not touch your clothing or belongings, and follow instructions from staff and those around you.
Origins and History of Kebesu Festival
The origins and history of the Kebesu Festival are still said to be entirely unknown.
It was once held on day 14 of lunar month 9 and was also called the September Festival, but it is now held on October 14 according to the Gregorian calendar.
Tradition holds that the 10 groups in the Kushiku district take turns serving as toba. On December 25, 2000, the festival was designated a Nationally Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Source: 櫛来地区の文化財 - 大分県国東市ホームページ｜1300年前から続く、仏の里くにさき / ケベス祭 - Wikipedia
Official information
You can check the event information on the official Oita Prefecture tourism website and the official Kunisaki City website.
The Kunisaki City Cultural Properties Division provides information about the festival venue and events, and lists a phone number for inquiries.
The 2026 tourism information page also directs visitors to the official Kunisaki City Kebesu Festival information page.
Kebesu Festival at a Glance
The Kebesu Festival is a fire festival held every year on October 14 at Kushiku Shrine in Kunisaki City. Its origins and history are said to be unknown.
In 2026, it will be held from 6 p.m. on October 14 (Wednesday), as Kebesu and Touba battle around the garden fire.
Sparks fly as people run carrying burning ferns, so please observe this traditional event with care for your safety.
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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