Beppu Hamawaki Yakushi Festival

About this event

In the Hamawaki Onsen area, regarded as the birthplace of Beppu Onsen, the "Beppu Hamawaki Yakushi Festival" is held to express gratitude for the blessings of the hot springs and offer memorial services to Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha). This festival is also a religious memorial service held by the entire local community. On the first day, the Hamawaki Yakushi Nyorai Buddhist service and Yakushi hospitality (osettai) take place, featuring children's taiko drumming, a brass band performance by Oita Prefectural Beppu Shosei High School, a face-changing (bian lian) show, a pop song show, and a gorgeous oiran procession (oiran dochu). On the second day, the Hamawaki Dance SHOW 2026, a brass band performance by Oita Prefectural Beppu Tsurumigaoka High School, a face-changing show, a hula dance show, and the Yakushi Ondo Dance Contest will be held. In addition, decorative craftsmanship exhibitions (mitate-zaiku) will be showcased from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30. In the oiran procession, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of courtesans (oiran), geisha (geigi), and men (otokoshu) clad in colorful kimono and happi coats parading around the Hamawaki Onsen area. The festival is usually bustling with as many as 5,000 people, and food stalls will also be present.

Venue

Hamawaki Onsen

Hamawaki Onsen, Beppu, Oita