Noboribetsu Hell Festival

Festival highlights

The highlight is the grand Hell parade, featuring an oni mikoshi weighing as much as 1 ton and a mechanical dashi of King Enma.

There are also performances by Noboribetsu Taiko and a large group dance of demons, so you can enjoy seeing demons appear along Gokuraku-dori.

Once a year, King Enma parades through the hot spring town—a signature event of the festival.

Source: 登別市 | 見たい | 地球体感 西いぶり [北海道登別洞爺 広域観光圏協議会 公式サイト]

Noboribetsu’s summer festival, where demons from Hell Valley enliven the hot spring town

What to expect

The festival features drum performances, the procession of the oni mikoshi, demon dances, and the mechanical dashi of King Enma.

Centered on Gokuraku-dori, the festival also takes place at Sengen Park and Hell Valley, and you can see the procession at various spots as it winds through the hot spring town.

At past festivals, local groups and tourists joined the demon dance, forming a long procession.

Location and access

Venue and address

Noboribetsu City / Noboribetsu Onsen Gokuraku-dori and the area around Hell Valley

Event venue 北海道登別市 登別温泉極楽通り

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

Season

Last Saturday and Sunday of August

Frequency

Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

During the festival, processions and events take place along streets in the hot spring town and at nearby venues, so it’s a good idea to check the location and time of the performances you want to see in advance.

Past announcements have noted that events may be canceled or changed due to bad weather or other circumstances.

As parking lots were expected to fill up early, please also check the latest traffic information when visiting.

Nearby attractions

Nearby, visit Noboribetsu Hell Valley, the setting for the festival, and enjoy scenery with hot spring vents and steam vents.

Oyunuma is a pond formed in the remains of an explosive crater of Mount Kuttara. At the natural footbath in the Oyunuma River, you can soak your feet in a river fed by hot spring water.

Sengen Park has a geyser and can be visited along with other sights in Noboribetsu Onsen.

Temples and shrinesNoboribetsu City

刈田神社

北海道登別市にある神社

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写真：Towacoco / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Noboribetsu Hell Festival

The first Noboribetsu Hell Festival was held in 1964.

From its first year, the festival began as an event in the hot spring town, featuring an oni mikoshi and a large group dance of demons accompanied by drums, with tourists also taking part.

In 1993, the mechanical dashi of King Enma and Enma Hall were completed, becoming emblematic features that continue to play a part in the festival today.

Source: 登別の歴史 – 一般社団法人 登別国際観光コンベンション協会

Official information

You can check festival announcements and venue information in the “Noboribetsu Hell Festival” guide from the Noboribetsu International Tourism and Convention Association.

The city’s event listings and local tourism websites also provide information on the festival’s origins, timing, and main events.

Source: 楽しく暮らす | 登別市

Visit the official website

Noboribetsu Hell Festival at a Glance

Against the backdrop of the Hell Valley legend, the Noboribetsu Hell Festival brings oni mikoshi, a mechanical dashi of King Enma, demon dances, drums, and more to the hot spring town.

Gokuraku-dori is the main venue, with Sengen Park and Hell Valley also serving as festival sites.

Enjoy this local traditional event featuring demons alongside sightseeing in Noboribetsu Onsen.