Visit Oita

The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival is an annual festival held in Beppu City. In Beppu City, April 1 is designated as “Onsen Appreciation Day” every year. The festival is held around that time to give thanks for the blessings of hot springs, and events such as a portable shrine parade through the town and the “Yubukkake Festival,” where visitors pour hot spring water over each other, are held. This is a festival that is not only held in Japan, but also attracts many visitors from overseas, making it a festival that is unique to Onsen Prefecture.

In Oita Prefecture, “Hinamatsuri” is held in various castle towns from February to March. The Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese event in which dolls modeled after court weddings from the 8th to 12th centuries are displayed to wish for the growth and happiness of girls.

The Tenryo Hita Ohina Ｍatsuri, one of the most famous festivals, is held from February 15 to March 31 every year to introduce the culture of Hita City, which flourished in the Edo period (1603-1868), some 400 years ago. Gorgeous and gorgeous hina dolls are displayed at more than 10 places in the city, including old houses and archives, attracting many tourists.

From nationally rare hina dolls to hina dolls made of paper and cloth popular among commoners, numerous hina dolls and hina utensils will be displayed all at once, allowing visitors to enjoy the differences between them. There will also be events such as “Mameda Nagashi-bina,” where visitors write their wishes on paper hina dolls and float them down the river. Please enjoy the beauty and depth of Japanese traditional culture through Hinamatsuri.

Also noted! Hinamatsuri held in various places in Oita Prefecture

The Hita Gion, Nakatsu Gion, and Usuki Gion festivals, known as the “three major Gion festivals” in Oita Prefecture, all have a history of more than 300 years. The Hita Gion Hikiyama event has been designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, while the Nakatsu Gion and Usuki Gion festivals have been designated Intangible Folk Cultural Assets by the prefecture. At these festivals, spectacular floats and floats parade through the town and are well worth seeing. Join this festival, which has been held since ancient times to ward off the summer plague, and get through the hot summer in good spirits!

Event to enjoy summer evenings

Traditional summer festival

Oita Prefecture produces the largest amount of madake bamboo in Japan, and bamboo crafts are also flourishing. Romantic events using such bamboo are held in various locations every year around November. Why not be healed by the delicacy of bamboo crafts and the gentle light?

Syujouonie is a Shinto ritual held annually in January. The purpose of this ceremony is to pray for a good harvest (abundant crops) and good health (staying healthy and free from illness) during the year. The sight of a large torch burning in the fire is very powerful! Healthy men among the participants can play the role of supporting the torch with a stick. As a bonus for participating, you will receive an omamori (good luck charm). Participating in a traditional event is a rare experience. Please come and join us!