Local Guide
Summer Festivals and Events in Nikko and Kinugawa Hot Springs, 2025 Edition

The Nikko and Kinugawa hot spring area is a popular summer resort in the Kanto region. In addition to visiting tourist spots, it is also recommended to plan your trip according to festivals and events. In addition to festivals and fireworks displays, traditional events in Nikko and Kinugawa hot springs in summer are also noteworthy. By researching information in advance, you can participate in these events at the right time and avoid the crowds. The following is an introduction to some of the traditional events that are held every year.

The Nantai-san Ascent Festival, held annually for one week from July 31 to August 7. Nantai (2,486 m), the deity of the Futaarasan Shrine in Nikko, is a festival that has been held since the Nara period (710-794).
During the festival, the trailhead of Mt. Nantai opens at midnight, allowing visitors to climb the mountain at night, so that they can see the sunrise from the summit. At the summit, where the Okumiya shrine is located, visitors will be given a good luck charm, a "tozensho (certificate of ascent)" certifying their climb, and gojinsui (sacred water).

Mt. Nantai Ascent Grand Festival
  • Address Niarasan Shrine Nakamiya Shrine, Nikko MAP
  • Hours of Operation July 31 (Thu) - August 7 (Thu), 2025 (regardless of the day of the week)
  • TEL 0288-55-0017（Nikko Futaarasan Shrine Chugu Shrine)
  • Parking Free of charge

The Funazento (boat tour), which originated with Shodo Shonin, the founder of Nikko, who prayed for ascetic practices by boat to the sacred sites along the shore of Lake Chuzenji, is a precious event that has been handed down for more than 1,200 years, and the participants visit the sites while enjoying the cool breeze across Lake Chuzenji, which is 1,269 meters above sea level.
Anyone is welcome to participate, but reservations are required because of the limited capacity of the offering boat.

Funazenjo
  • Address Chuzenji Temple (Tachiki-kannon) in Mt. Nikko MAP
  • Hours of Operation August 5, 2025 (Mon) 10:00-14:00 (tentative) *Held on the same day every year regardless of the day of the week
  • Admission Fee Adults 4,000 yen, children 3,000 yen (including the temple ticket, boarding fee, and box lunch)
  • TEL 0288-55-0013（Nikko Chuzenji Temple)
  • Memo Advance application required; application starts on July 1.

The annual Gomadaki (burning of a large firewood fire) is held on August 8, the anniversary of the Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha), the principal deity of Onsen-ji Temple in the mountains of Nikko. The Nikko mountain range is a sacred mountain for mountain asceticism, and Onsen-ji Temple is one of the few temples in Japan where visitors can bathe in hot springs. Why not pray for good health and family safety by the cool waters of Lake Yunoko (1,475m)?

▼ Onsen-ji Temple Yakushido Horaku (Buddhist rite of the Medicine Hall) Open-air Grand Gomaku Puja (Buddhist rite of protection)
URL: http: //www.nikko-kankou.org/event/964/
Venue: Onsenji Temple, Mt. Nikko / Lake Yunoko
Date：August 8, 2025 (Fri.) 14:00-15:00 *Held on the same day every year regardless of the day of the week
TEL: 0288-55-0013 (Chuzenji Temple, Mt. Nikko)

The "Dragon King Festival" is a major summer event in Kinugawa and Kawaji hot springs, and will be held for the 57th time in 2025. It is a Shinto ritual held at the five Dragon King shrines to pray for safe travels and prosperity of the area.
The festival is held at both Kinugawa Hot Springs and Kawaji Hot Springs, and at Kinugawa Hot Springs, the festival is enlivened by the Manto Mikoshi (portable shrine) and other portable shrines. The climax of the festival in the Kinugawa area is the Onna-tarumikoshi, a portable shrine carried only by women. The festival ends with a large fireworks display.

See detailed article on Ryuoh Festival

Ryuoh Festival
  • Address Gowatari Kinugawa/Kawaji Tourist Information Center, Kinugawa Onsen Station, Participating Lodging Properties
    Shinto ritual Ryuohkyo Torii gate
    Main Festival Kinugawa Onsen, around Kurogane Bridge MAP
  • Hours of Operation Gowatari July 1 (Tue) - 31 (Thu), 2025
    Ritual July 25 (Fri) 11:00 - 11:50
    Main Festival: July 25 (Fri) and 26 (Sat) 18:00-22:00
  • TEL 0288-22-1525 （Nikko Tourist Association

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.