Starting on Friday, August 24, Noboribetsu Onsen’s biggest event, Jigoku Matsuri (Hell Festival), will begin. This year marks the 55th anniversary of this spectacular festival that includes traditional dance performances by students from local elementary and junior high schools. Popular singers will also take the stage!

The festival, which marks the time of year when the gates of Jigokudani (Hell Valley) open, and Enma, the King of Hell, emerges to walk the streets of the city. Six-meter tall Enma-shaped floats and elaborate one ton mikoshi (portable shrines) dedicated to the Hell King will be carried around the town surrounded by dancing ogres. Devil mask wearing dancers perform in honor of his visit, while a colorful fireworks show bids him a fond farewell on the final night.

This year, the festival will last for three days and two nights. On Sunday, August 26, the Oni Odori Daigunbu (Demon Group Dance) will be performed. Every year, guests staying at the hotel can rent red yukata (summer kimono) for the day and join in the fun of the dance. There is always lots of laughter and hilarity. (Even our staff comes out to dance!)

We look forward to seeing Enma walk the streets once again and hope you will be here with us to enjoy it, too!

Event Schedule

Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26

Friday, August 24
18:00 – 21:30 Gokuraku Beer Garden
19:00 – 19:45 Opening Ceremony on Eve of the Festival
20:00 – 21:00 Hitoshi Sakuraba Live Performance

Saturday, August 25
12:15 – 13:00 Noboribetsu Elementary School Onikko Marching Band
14:00 – 15:00 Noboribetsu Junior High School Brass Band Club
15:30 – 16:00 Noboribetsu Junior High School Bear Dance
18:15 – 19:00 Preliminary Taiko Group Performance
19:10 – 20:00 Enma the Hell King Arrival Celebration with the Noboribetsu Junior High School Oni Mikoshi
20:00 – 21:00 Oni Mikoshi Parade and Yukake (Onsen Water Battle)

Sunday, August 26
11:00 – 15:00 Onikko Plaza Spa Slider
15:30 – 16:00 Children’s Demon Dance
18:30 – 19:30 King of Hell Festival
20:00 – 20:30 Great Demon Dance and Masquerade Dance Contest**
20:40 – 21:00 Demon Dance Contest Awards
21:15 – 21:45 Jigokudani Fireworks

**Gorgeous prizes will be awarded!! Please wear your favorite costume and enjoy the Great Demon Dance! (Free)

Please Be Advised
Whenever possible, we ask everyone to use public transportation as the streets will be very full of demons and people having fun.
We do not offer alcohol to those who are underage and drivers.
Events and times of events may change depending on the weather or other circumstances.

We look forward to seeing you at the Hell Festival from Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26!