A summer festival based on the legend that the lid of the cauldron in Jigokudani (Hell Valley) opens and Enma, King of Hell, comes to Noboribetsu Onsen leading his oni (demons). An Enma mechanical float about 6 m tall parades along Gokuraku-dori in the hot spring town, and over two days there are oni mikoshi, oni dances, fireworks at Jigokudani, and more.
The giant mechanical Enma float, which changes expression as it passes judgment on sinners, is truly impressive. With the "Oni Mikoshi Abare Nerikomi," in which a red-demon mikoshi weighing about 1 ton is carried through the streets, and the "Oni Odori" mass dance that tourists can join, the whole hot spring town is taken over by demons.
2026 example (August 29 and 30, Gokuraku-dori)
2026 example (Day 1, August 29, around Gokuraku-dori)
2026 example (Day 2, August 30, around Gokuraku-dori). Drop-in participation welcome
2026 example (Day 2, August 30, finale)
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
The festival weekend overlaps with summer vacation, and inns at Noboribetsu Onsen fill up quickly. If you want to see the evening events, secure accommodation early
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PR8.9Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
AquariumHokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
A marine park centered on a castle-shaped aquarium, a 5-minute walk from JR Noboribetsu Station. It exhibits about 20,000 creatures of some 400 species, making it one of the largest in Hokkaido. It's easy to stop by from Noboribetsu Onsen or New Chitose Airport.
ZooHokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
A zoo of Ezo brown bears on a mountaintop 550 m above sea level, about 7 minutes by ropeway from the center of Noboribetsu Onsen. More than 70 brown bears live here, and the round-trip ropeway fare is included in admission. The park also has a Brown Bear Museum and facilities introducing Ainu culture.
January–FebruaryHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)
2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23
January–MarchHokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually late January to early March (about 6 weeks)
FebruaryHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early February (about one week)
2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days
FebruaryHokkaido ・ Otaru
Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)
2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13
FebruaryHokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)
2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11
April–OctoberHokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)
2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)
MayHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)
JuneHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June
2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days
JuneHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually June 14–16 (14th: eve festival, 15th: main festival, 16th: mikoshi procession)
July–AugustHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)
JulyHokkaido ・ Otaru
Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)
AugustHokkaido ・ Hakodate
Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)
September–OctoberHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)
2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)
November–MarchHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)
2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)
November–DecemberHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to December 25 (about 1 month)
2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)
December–MarchHokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March
DecemberHokkaido ・ Hakodate
Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25
2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-09-30
