This winter at Nagato Yumoto Onsen, the Onshin River (Otoduregawa), which flows through the hot spring town, becomes the stage for a magical illumination event called "Onshin River Utaakari." The event celebrates the poetry of Misuzu Kaneko, a children's poet born in Nagato City. (First held in 2018; this is the 8th edition.)
The event features fantastical light displays synchronized with narrations of Misuzu's poems, along with "lantern vessels" created by local schoolchildren displayed throughout the venue, creating a special winter landscape at Nagato Yumoto Onsen.
Event Details
Period:
January 16 (Friday), 2026 to March 8 (Sunday)
Illumination Hours:
Sunset (around 6:00 PM) to 10:00 PM
Location:
Nagato Yumoto Onsen
Bamboo Forest Stairs and Onshin River area
Admission:
Free
Parking:
For drivers, please use the Nagato Yumoto Onsen parking lot (paid) along the national highway or Daineiji Temple parking lot. Note that weekends may be crowded.
Special Website:
https://utaakari.yumotoonsen.com/
Eight Areas with Light Displays
- Gento Rinbu
- Misuzu's Garden
- Fish Dreams
- Earth Lights
- Waterside Wreath
- Misuzu's Mosaic Wall
- Bird Stairs
- Light Train Maze
In addition, there are plenty of related events including collaborative exhibitions with the Misuzu Kaneko Memorial Museum, stamp rallies, and talk events!
"Onshin River Utaakari Vol.8" Lighting Ceremony
Lighting Ceremony:
January 16 (Friday), starting at 4:30 PM (approximately 1 hour)
Location:
Nagato Yumoto Onsen Onyu Cafe Room and Onyu Plaza
Attendees:
(Organizers)
Nagato Yumoto Onsen Machi Co., Ltd. Area Manager Hayato Kimura
LEM Kukan Kobo Representative Director Shiho Nagamachi and others
(Special Guests)
Nagato City Koyo Elementary School students
Schedule:
5:00 PM - Introduction of Koyo Elementary School students' activities (Onyu Cafe Room)
Chorus performance by Koyo Elementary School students (Onyu Plaza)
5:45 PM - Lighting
