What this is
Beppu flips its famous hot-spring identity on its head for a summer festival built around staying cool — chilled foot baths, refreshing sweets, and evening art walks replace the usual steaming pools. Spread across multiple venues throughout the city, the programme runs from fireworks displays tied to the Beppu Eight Hot Springs to night cinema screenings and special late-night hours at local attractions like Kijima Park.
Who should go
Visitors already in Beppu during late July who want more than onsen tourism. Families will find the fireworks and Kijima Park night pass worthwhile; solo travellers and couples can graze across the evening walks and cinema screenings at their own pace.
Good to know
Most activities are free and require no advance booking, making this easy to join spontaneously. The Kijima Park night pass (¥2,000) is likely available at the park gate on the day, but arriving early in the evening is advisable as capacity for night events can be limited. Cash is the safest payment option at smaller local venues and food stalls across Beppu. Fireworks events tend to draw crowds, so staking out a spot along the waterfront or near the designated viewing areas 30–45 minutes early is worthwhile. Foreign visitors should note that English signage across Beppu is limited outside the main station area, so downloading an offline map of the city beforehand is practical.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.