Okuhida-Onsengo ＞ Events
Events
This is a festival held in thanks of the bounty of hot springs in the Hirayu-Onsen area.
Prayer sticks with people’s wishes written on them are burned on the grounds of the Hirayu shrine and water brought from each of the hot springs is boiled in a giant pot.
The priest sprinkles the hot water over the crowd of pilgrims and prays for their good health and prosperity in business.
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June 26th of every year is designated "open-air spa day", on which certain of the abundant open-air baths within the Okuhida-Onsengo are made open to free use. This famous event is one reason why Okuhida-Onsengo is renowned as the "Kingdom of Open-air spa". By visiting the various specified open-air baths and collecting stamps at each, you can receive an original souvenir present (One day only) .
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This is a traditional summer event for the Fukuji Onsen Area.
During the event period, there are nightly performances of the Hembetori lion dance, which has been designated as an intangible cultural heritage of the town.
This dance is said to have originated with the Emperor Murakami, who once visited this place to rest from his journey and, seeing the villagers troubled by a plague of snakes, performed a dance in supplication to the gods to drive the snakes away.
The festival also includes performances of the traditional Torigei dance, passed down through generations, and the holding of the Ema Market and evening stalls.
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