A traditional Nuruyu Onsen event where the Ox shintai meets bathing culture
Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival
The 2026 edition of Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/25 〜 2026/07/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- Around the time of Doyo: festival eve on the Saturday nearest the Day of the Ox, and the main festival on Sunday / Every year
- Location
- Nuruyu Onsen, Nuruyu Public Bathhouse, Tsuru-no-Yu
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Kuroishi City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h–3 h 30 min · bullet train)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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
A traditional event that carries on bathing culture associated with the Midsummer Day of the Ox, with a carrying the Ox proceeding through Nuruyu Onsen.
About Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival
The Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival is a traditional event held every year around Doyo.
The event takes place around the public bathhouse known as Tsuru-no-Yu and shares the bathing culture associated with the Midsummer Day of the Ox, passed down in Nuruyu.
The festival eve and main festival feature a mikoshi procession carrying the Ox shintai, followed by a bathing ceremony.
This event, unique to Nuruyu Onsen, has a history of more than 450 years.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the mikoshi procession carrying the Ox shintai and the bathing ceremony that follows.
When the mikoshi arrives at the hot spring, the Kuroishi Yosare dance is performed, followed by the shintai entering the bath.
It is said that touching an ailing part of your body with the hand used to stroke the ox will heal it. Visitors seeking blessings take part in the bathing ceremony.
The shintai is displayed for a while on the day of the event.
A traditional Nuruyu Onsen event where the Ox shintai meets bathing culture
What to expect
The event consists of a festival eve and the main festival, and the day of the festival eve includes a yoimiya.
At the main festival, children pull the mikoshi carrying the Ox shintai from Yakushiji toward the hot spring.
After the mikoshi arrives, the Kuroishi Yosare dance is performed, followed by the shintai bathing ceremony.
The shintai remains on display for a while after the bathing ceremony.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Nuruyu Onsen, Nuruyu Public Bathhouse, Tsuru-no-Yu / 79 Kakusen, Nuruyu, Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture
- Train and bus
Take the Konan Bus Kuroishi-Itadome Line from Konan Railway Kuroishi Station for 20 minutes. Get off at the Shimo-Nuruyu bus stop, then walk about 5 minutes.
- By car
About 10 minutes from Kuroishi IC
Address 79 Kakusen, Nuruyu, Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
The 2026 event is scheduled to run from July 25 (Sat) to July 26 (Sun).
July 25 is the festival eve, and July 26 is the main festival. The mikoshi is scheduled to set off from Yakushiji at 11 a.m.; it is due to arrive at the hot spring at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Kuroishi Yosare dance, and the shintai bathing ceremony at 12 p.m.
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 Aomori Prefecture / Kuroishi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Near the venue are Itadome Onsen, Nuruyu Onsen, Tsugaru Traditional Craft Center, and the Handicraft Art Exhibition—DEN—.
All are listed as places near the venue for the Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival.
津軽こけし館
青森県黒石市にあるこけしの展示施設
津軽伝承工芸館
青森県黒石市にある工芸館
Origins and History of Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival
The Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival is a traditional event with a history of more than 450 years.
The event carries on bathing culture associated with the Midsummer Day of the Ox. Tradition is described as holding a festival eve on the Saturday nearest the Day of the Ox and the main festival on Sunday.
More detailed information about its origins or how it changed over the eras is not provided.
Official information
問い合わせ先：黒石観光協会 電話番号：0172-52-3488
ウェブサイト：黒石観光協会ホームページ
Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival at a Glance
The Nuruyu Onsen Ushi-yu Festival is a traditional event with a history of more than 450 years, carrying on bathing culture associated with the Midsummer Day of the Ox.
Children pull the mikoshi carrying the Ox shintai. After it arrives at the hot spring, the Kuroishi Yosare dance is performed, followed by the shintai bathing ceremony.
The venue is around Nuruyu Public Bathhouse, Tsuru-no-Yu.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
