Experience

This is the spring festival at Hirayu Onsen, where people express gratitude for the hot springs and pray for good health and protection from illness.
The ritual involves burning wooden prayer sticks inscribed with wishes, boiling hot spring water from various sources in a large cauldron, and then having the Shinto priest sprinkle the boiling water on the worshippers, praying for good health and protection from illness.
We will also be holding an ema (votive tablet) market from around 1:00 PM. These are auspicious items traditionally displayed at the entrance of homes in Hida. Each ema is hand-painted, so you can enjoy the time you spend choosing yours.
Shinto ritual: 19:00 onwards, at Hirayu Shrine grounds.
Ema (votive tablet) market: Around 13:00 onwards
*The event may be canceled or scaled down depending on weather conditions.