Onsen Festival

Kinosaki’s annual Onsen Festival commemorates the work of Dochi Shonin, a Buddhist monk who founded Kinosaki Onsen over 1,300 years ago.

DETAILS

DATE / TIME
April 23,
April 24,
COST
Free
VENUE / LOCATION
Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo, Japan (ceremony begins at Shisho Shrine, 447 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka, Hyogo 669-6101)

GOOGLE MAP
LINKS

Kinosaki’s annual Onsen Festival will be held soon on April 23 and 24.

Commemorating the work of Dochi Shonin, a Buddhist monk who founded Kinosaki Onsen over 1,300 years ago, the Onsen Festival is one of Kinosaki’s most important yearly events and begins on the date of Dochi Shonin’s death.

In 717 AD, Dochi Shonin received a vision in Kinosaki which told him to pray for the local people’s health for 1,000 days. After he did so, it is said that a hot spring shot up from the ground, creating Kinosaki Onsen.

The Buddhist monks from Onsenji, a temple in Kinosaki Onsen where visitors often come to show their gratitude to Dochi Shonin, walk around town to each of the seven hot springs to pray for the safety and prosperity of Kinosaki Onsen. It is a very special occasion to witness!

SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)
April 23rd
10:30~

Procession of monks between hot springs| Shisho Shrine ~ each public bath

14:00 - 17:00

Waku Waku Treasure Hunt | Shisho Shrine

18:00 - 21:00

Stage performances | Station Street Park

April 24th
10:00 ~

Mourning Prayer for Onsenji Temple Founder | Ryokan Association ~ each public bath

12:00 -

Buddhist Memorial Service in front of Dochi Shonin’s grave | Onsenji Temple

12:40-

Buddhist Memorial Service | Onsenji Temple

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