I live in Beppu, a small, rural city situated on the Southern Japanese island of Kyushu. The city offers a bit of everything, some ethnic food around the world, some mountainous scenery, a beautiful seaside, and an abundant of, surprisingly, hot springs. Despite being petite in size, Beppu in fact, houses 2,217 mineral-rich 'onsen' (渊ćłăťhot springs) - the largest in Japan.
Every year, in order to show gratitude to the God of onsen, the city comes together every year on the first week of April and celebrate ĺĽĺşĺ ŤćšŻć¸ŠćłçĽă (Beppu Hatto onsen festival). This is one of, if not, the biggest and most-anticipated festival in the year and it lasts for a whole week straight. Every day has a different schedule and activity planned out, all leading to the most anticipated event of all - THE ONSEN FESTIVAL on Sunday.đ
Last year the festival fell on my entrance ceremony, but lucky enough, this year, I was able to, not only enjoy the entire 7 days, but also, I was able to participate in the Sunday extravaganza, as a viewer, a performer and an organizer đđťđđť
Photos by Tokyo Sinpu
As a performer
Sunday duty started off with a performance with my circle Arauma Chiyo - a traditional dancing circle from Aomori prefecture. The morning breeze ran through our spines, but the excitement heated up the atmosphere. As we danced and paraded around Beppu station, the festival started to commence.
Amazing photos by Tokyo Sinpu After the intensively dancing for 20 minutes straight, we were able to squeeze in some time to take a quick photo with the ç鏟 (ushiăťoni : ox demon), which is essentially a gigantic 5-meter high float, cow/demon face with palm fur all over and a sword-shaped tail. The towering build is positively proportional to the weight as it took around 6 strong men and 3/4 of my circle to lift it, not to mention moving around the station, wiggling and shaking its head (as a metaphor to, purification, or scaring off demons), while everyone goes ăŻăăˇă§ă¤ăťăŻăăˇă§ă¤ (Wassyoi Wassyoi). It was my first time lifting a float, and it was pretty DOPE.
As a viewer
Following the parade from Arauma Chiyo came a long parade showcased by Beppu citizens. Everyone had something to offer, performances from the local music center, marches from Beppu fire and military force, to a showcase of fancy sport carsfrom the local bank, Beppu's racing car group.
And can we talk about the food - a must do at ANY JAPANESE FESTIVAL. At ĺĽĺşĺ¸ĺ ´(Beppu Ichiba) during the festival, you can participate in 丟ăă§ăš (Donburi Festival) where you pay only ÂĽ700 to enjoy a bowl of Japanese rice and multiple toppings. Each stall in the market offered different things, such as Raw fish or Karaage, and there is a specific course around it. In other words, it's a scavenger hunt to fill up your stomach. The portion was filling, and the karaage tasted amazing. Hands-down, best ÂĽ700 spent that day.
As an organizer
All activities and food came down to the highlight of the day - 暯ăśăŁăăçĽăďźyuăťbukkake festival) where every would go down to the street, paraded together while having onsen water sprayed on them (yes, legit, real, onsen water).
We got the #people, we got the mineral-rich #onsen water, and we got a pretty dope #soundtrack playing through-out the Bukkake. 6 gallons of onsen water (more or less) were brought in and sprayed over Nagarekawa street (the street connecting Beppu station and Tokiwa Mall). Spectators on the sides of the road can either join in the parade, or splash the onsen water on others. They also had a bubble bath and soapy corner as well, so it's extremely difficult to explain how soaking wet everyone got.
Which is okay. Because
parading with the #Omikoshi under the chilly weather while being splashed water on you represents being able to cleanse your soul and start a new year with luck.
ăçĽčźż (Omikoshi) can be interpreted as portable shrines for Gods and spirits. They are typically heavy and require to be carried on the shoulders. Same as the Ushi-oni, as the omikoshi bounes up and down, everyone has to chant along the rythm wassyoi wassyoi. It was entertaining to ba able to see Omikoshi in different shapes and sizes, each with its own color and personality. For #APU team, the Omikoshi was made with 3 piles of rice ( i assume), and THE QUEENS can sit on top while parading on the street. This year, we welcomed queens from all places around the world, such as China, India, and Sri Lanka. I bet the feeling was sensational to be up in the air, all thanks to the boys!!
We were soaking wet from getting splashed on,
We were shivering cold from the breezy air,
and yet,
We didn't care
At that split second in time, it didn't matter how soaking wet our clothes were, nor how cold the wind blew passed our hair đ¨. Everyone was out on the street, children and elders and mothers and fathers. No one was a stranger to anyone. In some ways, everyone was connected and enjoyed the festival together, which was what the festival really aimed to tell:
Not only to introduce Beppu's rich onsen culture to visitors, but
To create a day where people of all ages and background can come, celebrate and have fun together.
Whatever you do in this life, it's not legendary, unless your friends are there to see it. - Barney Stinson (How I met Your Mother)
The event could never have happened without the tremendous help from APU Tourism & Hospitality Association (ATHA). I had a great time working with them, and it's always great to see your hard work pays off.
ăç˛ăć§ă§ăă.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/apu.atha/