Matsuri Guide

Name in Japanese and English

• 別府八湯温泉まつり
• Beppu Hatto Onsen Matsuri, the festival of Beppu’s “eight onsen”

History

The Beppu Hatto Onsen Matsuri（別府八湯温泉まつり, Beppu hatto onsen matsuri）is the major spring festival of the city of Beppu（別府市, Beppu-shi）, in Ōita Prefecture（大分県, Ōita-ken）, dedicated to expressing gratitude towards the hot springs. The term Beppu Hatto（別府八湯, Beppu hatto）refers to the eight historic hot spring areas of the city, known for the variety of their springs and districts.

The festival centers around April 1st, called in Beppu the “day of gratitude towards onsen”（温泉感謝の日, onsen kansha no hi）. Around this date, the city hosts rituals and events very typical of Beppu, celebrating the hot water (お湯, o-yu) as a collective blessing: Shinto ceremonies (神事, shinji), processions of mikoshi（神輿, mikoshi）, dance and neighborhood festivities. Over time, the matsuri has also become a major tourist showcase, notably thanks to its spectacular scenes combining fire and water.

Location and Date of the Event

• Location: Beppu city center around Beppu Station Street（別府駅前通り, Beppu ekimae-dōri）and multiple sites throughout the city (市内各所, shinai kakusho), depending on the days.
• Address: 〒874-0920 大分県別府市北浜 別府駅前通りほか (Kitahama, Beppu Station Street, etc., Beppu-shi, Ōita).
• Access: simplest base: JR Beppu Station（別府駅, Beppu-eki）then walk to the downtown areas. For the “fire festival” on Ogiyama（扇山, Ogiyama) : access by bus/car according to the edition’s instructions (parking and traffic often regulated).
• Date: around April 1st (温泉感謝の日, onsen kansha no hi), with a peak of events during the first week of April and the first weekend of April.
• Date type: variable — the period is set around April 1st and the first weekend of April, so exact days change according to the yearly calendar.

Schedule

The matsuri is a succession of events spread throughout the city: it is less “a single site” than an urban festival (市内各所, shinai kakusho) that moves visitors between downtown, hot spring districts, and mountain areas. The spirit remains simple: to give thanks (感謝, kansha) for the onsen, to launch the “spring” year in Beppu, and to celebrate in a very local atmosphere.

Among the major highlights, one generally finds: the opening ceremony linked to April 1st (温泉感謝の日, onsen kansha no hi), processions of mikoshi（神輿, mikoshi) and downtown activities, a “bath” race/event like the Beppu ♨ Furo Marathon（べっぷ♨フロマラソン, Beppu furo marason), and especially two highly anticipated scenes.

First, the spectacular “Yubukkake Matsuri”（湯ぶっかけまつり, yu-bukkake matsuri): hot spring water (お湯, o-yu) is splashed in a “water festival” atmosphere, Beppu style. Then, the night of the “Ogiyama Fire Festival”（扇山火まつり, Ogiyama hi-matsuri): fire (火, hi) on the mountain creates a striking finale, often cited as one of the most photogenic moments of the matsuri.

Practical Tips

Photos

Two very different “objectives”: water and fire. For the 湯ぶっかけまつり（yubukkake matsuri), protect your equipment: rain cover (レインカバー, rein kabā), microfiber cloth, and avoid changing lenses amid the splashes. For 扇山火まつり（Ogiyama hi-matsuri), use a light tripod if you want clean shots at dusk, and scout your viewpoint early (crowds + limited mobility).

Weather

Early April in Beppu is often mild, but evenings can be cool, especially if you wait for the fire on the heights. Bring a warm layer + windbreaker, and a “sacrificial” garment if you plan to get splashed at the onsen (お湯, o-yu).

Transport

Base yourself on Beppu-eki（別府駅, Beppu-eki): many events are accessible on foot from the center. For distant sites (notably Ogiyama 扇山, Ogiyama), anticipate traffic restrictions (交通規制, kōtsū kisei) and favor “early” schedules to avoid jams.

Visitor Tips

If you want to experience the matsuri stress-free, split your time: daytime downtown (activities, mikoshi, market/stands depending on the edition) then fire evening (扇山火まつり, Ogiyama hi-matsuri). And if you want to participate in the “hot water bath”: keep a waterproof bag (防水バッグ, bōsui baggu) for your phone, papers, and battery.

What to Bring

Towel (タオル, taoru), change of clothes, waterproof bag, cash (現金, genkin) for stands, and simple protection for glasses/cameras. For the fire evening: small flashlight, hot drink, and something to endure standing for a long time.

Sources & References

• 別府たび：第111回 別府八湯温泉まつり（2025）

  Event page (official Beppu tourism): period 2025 (4/1–4/6), organizational notes and link to the official site.

• 別府たび：特集「別府八湯温泉まつり」とは？

  Reference article: explains the principle of “温泉感謝の日” (April 1st), the highlights (湯ぶっかけまつり, 扇山火まつり, etc.) and the spirit of the festival.