A spirited winter festival in Noboribetsu Onsen, brought to life by Yukijin demons and rising steam
Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year in February / Every year
- Location
- Sengen Park and the Noboribetsu Onsen area
- Area
- Hokkaido・Noboribetsu(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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/11/15
A winter festival giving thanks for the hot springs of Noboribetsu Onsen and praying for good health, featuring Yukijin demons warding off misfortune, traditional performances, and the Gensen Yu-kake Kassen.
About Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri
Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri is held every February in the Noboribetsu Onsen area. It is a festival giving thanks for the blessings of the hot springs and praying for good health.
Yukijin demons parade through the hot-spring town warding off misfortune, while Yukijin and the Koyako Mochitsuki-mai rice-pounding dance are performed at Sengen Park.
At the heart of the festival is gratitude for Noboribetsu Onsen, renowned for its abundant water and variety of spring qualities, along with the hope that its waters will never run dry.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the red and blue Yukijin demons waving flaming torches as they ward off misfortune, and the powerful drums echoing through the hot-spring town.
At Sengen Park, visitors can enjoy traditional performances including Yukijin Kagura and the Koyako Mochitsuki-mai rice-pounding dance.
The festival reaches its climax with the Gensen Yu-kake Kassen, where young men wearing loincloths splash hot spring water at around 50°C on each other, as steam and shouts fill the venue.
A spirited winter festival in Noboribetsu Onsen, brought to life by Yukijin demons and rising steam
What to expect
During the festival, Yukijin demons parade through the hot-spring town warding off misfortune. At Sengen Park, Yukijin Kagura and the Koyako Mochitsuki-mai rice-pounding dance are performed.
Powerful taiko drums and flaming torches create the festival atmosphere, and the Gensen Yu-kake Kassen takes place at night.
During the contest, young men wearing loincloths splash hot spring water on each other. According to tradition, a red victory means the water temperature will rise, while a white victory means the volume of water will increase.
How to take part
According to the 2026 information, the Gensen Yukake Battle is not open to general participants.
It is described as an event held by young men wearing fundoshi loincloths.
According to the 2026 information, the Gensen Yukake Battle is not recruiting general participants.
The event is described as being held by young men wearing fundoshi loincloths.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Sengen Park and the Noboribetsu Onsen area / 76 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
- Train and bus
About 15 minutes from JR Noboribetsu Station
- By car
About 10 minutes from Noboribetsu-Higashi IC on the Hokkaido Expressway / about 60 minutes from New Chitose Airport
- Parking
Use parking at individual facilities or a paid parking lot
Address 76 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Dates and season
- Season
Every year in February
- Frequency
Every 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 / Noboribetsu (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Tourist attractions introduced near the venue include Noboribetsu Onsen, Noboribetsu Jigokudani, Oyunuma River Natural Footbath, Noboribetsu Bear Park, Lake Kuttara, Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, Karurusu Onsen, Izumi Villa Onsen, Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe, and Shiraoi-Kojohama Onsen.
刈田神社
北海道登別市にある神社
Official information
Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri at a Glance
Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri is a festival held to give thanks for the blessings of the hot springs and pray for good health. It features Yukijin demons warding off misfortune, traditional performances, and the Gensen Yu-kake Kassen.
The area around Sengen Park and Noboribetsu Onsen takes on a distinctive atmosphere, enveloped in taiko drums, torches, and steam.
A tradition of entrusting wishes for warmer water or a greater volume of water to the red-and-white contest is another distinctive feature of this festival.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/15
