Written by Aarohi Narain
Every spring, Beppu, one of the foremost hot spring capitals of Japan, comes alive with steam, fire, and lively festivities for the Beppu Onsen Festival.
What happens?
This annual event, held in early April, is a way for Beppu, one of Japan’s best destination onsen, to give thanks for its abundant natural hot springs.
One of the festival’s highlights is the Ogiyama Fire Festival, where the grassy slopes of Mt. Ogiyama are set ablaze in a dramatic fire-lighting ceremony. This tradition is meant to clear old grass and encourage new growth.
The Yukemuri General Parade (Steam Parade) invites groups to dress in extravagant costumes and march through Beppu’s shopping streets, celebrating the city’s international character. Meanwhile, the Fureai Odori (Friendship Dance) lets participants join in a traditional dance performance, which includes the Beppu Bayashi, a local festival melody.
The festival’s grand finale is the Yu Bukkake Festival, where 111 tons of hot spring water is splashed onto participants in an exhilarating water fight.
Pro tip: Visiting Beppu in winter? Don’t miss the gauntlet of intense winter-themed contests that is the Beppu Tsurumi-Dake Cold Weather Competition.
Schedule 2025
The Beppu Onsen Festival takes place from April 1 to 6.
There will be an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. on April 1 at Hachiman Asami Shrine.
The Ogiyama Fire Festival will be held on April 2 from 6 p.m.
The Fureai Odori will begin at 11 a.m. on April 6, followed by the parade and a mikoshi (portable shrine) ceremony at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively. The Yu Bukkake will begin at 3 p.m.
How to get there
The Beppu Onsen Festival takes place at various locations in Beppu City.
To get to Beppu from Tokyo, the fastest option is flying. Take a 1.5-hour flight from Haneda or Narita to Oita Airport, then a 50-minute airport bus to Beppu (2.5–3.5 hours, around ¥30,000). Check out our guide for detailed information.
For a scenic route, take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kokura (5 hours), then transfer to the Sonic Limited Express to Beppu (1 hour and 20 min). This will take about 7 hours and cost around ¥30,000.
Overnight highway buses are the cheapest but longest option, coming in at 14 hours one-way and costing roughly ¥15,000.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 0 m from Beppu Station Nippō Main Line (JF0)
