Kinosaki Onsen Festival

Kinosaki’s Onsen Festival, celebrated annually on April 23 and 24, honors the town's founding by the Buddhist monk Dochi Shonin more than 1,300 years ago. This festival commemorates his dedication to the health and well-being of the town, marking the anniversary of his death in 717 AD. According to local legend, after praying for 1,000 days, a hot spring miraculously emerged from the earth, giving rise to Kinosaki Onsen. The festival serves as a tribute to Dochi Shonin's perseverance and the spiritual significance of the town's healing waters.

During the festival, the Onsenji Buddhist monks take part in a special procession, walking throughout Kinosaki to visit the town's seven iconic hot springs. At each spring, they offer prayers for the prosperity and safety of the community. This unique and lively event is deeply intertwined with the town’s history and traditions, offering visitors a chance to experience Kinosaki Onsen’s cultural heritage in a vibrant, living form. It is an unmissable event for anyone looking to connect with the town’s rich past while celebrating its ongoing legacy.