Nagato Yumoto Onsen in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, will hold the illumination event "Otozure River Utaakari" (音信川うたあかり) again this winter. The event is staged along the Otozure River (音信川), which flows through the hot spring town, and takes its theme from the poems of Misuzu Kaneko (金子みすゞ), a children's poet born in Nagato City. It draws around 32,000 visitors every year.
The 9th edition is billed as a stay-based event in which visitors enjoy lights across the whole hot spring town, and it has evolved so that visitors can experience the unique charm of Nagato Yumoto Onsen more deeply. Centered on the Otozure River, inns, shops and local residents come together to create a winter night found only here. The main venue is the area in front of Onto (恩湯) and Gangi Plaza (雁木広場).
Lights in Eight Areas
Mainly along the Otozure River, lights with a theme unique to each location decorate the town, offering new discoveries with every step. Rather than viewing a single venue, visitors "tour" the lights on foot through the hot spring town. Walking slowly through the town in its nighttime appearance, which looks different from the daytime, is part of the appeal of Utaakari.
Inns Joining the Event
Nagato Yumoto Onsen has inns that each offer a different charm, so visitors can combine a stay with a stroll through the town. This year, to strengthen the flow from inn to town and from town to inn, each inn's appearance and lighting during the event period are connected with the scenery of the hot spring town.
Lights seen from guest rooms, riverside views while walking in a yukata, and lights that change their look with every bridge crossed all make the stay itself part of the Utaakari experience.
Otani Sanso (大谷山荘)
- Address: 2208 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103
- Phone: 0837-25-3300
- Serving hours: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (last order 9:30 PM)
During the event, the lobby lounge serves an original cocktail called "Konayuki" (粉雪, powder snow) exclusively to overnight guests. It is inspired by the fantastical lights of Utaakari and the snow that dances over Nagato.
KAI Nagato (界 長門)
- Address: 2229-1 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103
- Phone: 050-3134-8092 (KAI Reservation Center, 界予約センター)
- Event hours: Sunset to 10:00 PM
During the event, the Travel Library is lit up with a display inspired by Misuzu Kaneko's poem "Akarui Hou e" (明るい方へ). This space is for overnight guests only and is wrapped in a fantastical glow.
Yumoto Kanko Hotel Saikyo (湯本観光ホテル西京)
- Address: 1051 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103
- Phone: 0837-25-3111
- Available hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
A "Misuzu Kaneko Corner" in the lobby displays Misuzu Kaneko poetry collections, posters and other items. It lets guests enjoy the lingering mood of Utaakari even after returning to the inn.
SOIL Nagatoyumoto
- Address: 2257 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103
- Phone: 0837-25-3333
- Available hours: During Utaakari hours
SOIL Nagatoyumoto, close to the main venue, sells a special accommodation plan that lets guests enjoy the fantastical Utaakari lights from their rooms. After a stroll, guests can take in the scenery that decorates the hot spring town at their leisure.
Day-Trip Shops
THE BAKERY
- Address: 2208 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103 (2nd floor of Otani Sanso)
- Phone: 0837-25-4803
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (closed 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM except on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
For the duration of the event, THE BAKERY sells the limited-time "Choco Pain Suisse" (チョコ・パンスイス). It wraps chunks of fine chocolate and cream, and is further coated in chocolate, so that the chocolate flavor comes in many layers.
Akebono Cafe (あけぼのカフェ)
- Address: 2229-1 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103 (attached to KAI Nagato)
- Phone: 050-3134-8092 (KAI Reservation Center, 界予約センター)
- Hours: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
During the event, Akebono Cafe opens in the evening and also sells limited-time warm drinks matched to the poems of Otozure River Utaakari. Visitors can stroll the hot spring town with a warm drink in hand.
TARU
- Address: 2257 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103 (1st floor of SOIL Nagatoyumoto)
- Phone: 0837-25-3333
- Hours: 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
The restaurant TARU offers a limited-time special menu themed on Misuzu Kaneko's poem "Tairyo" (大漁), with plenty of seasonal seafood. Each dish expresses the joy of a lively beach and gratitude for the bounty of the quiet sea.
THE BAR NAGATO
- Address: 2257 Fukawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 759-4103 (2nd floor of Daigo Nagaya, だいご長屋)
- Hours: 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM
During the event, THE BAR NAGATO sells two kinds of takeout cocktails, including a non-alcoholic option. Visitors can enjoy the limited-time drinks together with the Utaakari lights.
Limited-Edition Utaakari Cookies
ainone, which runs a baked-sweets brand in Nagato Yumoto Onsen, sells limited-edition cookies baked with local ingredients. The "Akari no Kashibako" (あかりの菓子箱) expresses the world of Utaakari with an assortment of baked sweets modeled on the sea, stars, flowers and plants that appear in Misuzu Kaneko's poems. It can be enjoyed alongside the lights that decorate the town, and is also suited to souvenirs and gifts.
"Lantern Vessels" Made by Local Children
Each year, children from Nagato City's kindergartens and schools make vessels with great care, and the venue is lit by the lights placed inside them. This gives the venue a warmth unique to handwork, different from professional staging. No two vessels are the same, and each child's individuality becomes a light that decorates the hot spring town.
Thanks to the participation of local children, Otozure River Utaakari has continued as a winter tradition nurtured together with the community. For visitors, it is a heartwarming experience of touching the thoughts of the children who will carry the community's future.
Lighting Ceremony for Vol.9
A lighting ceremony will be held to open Otozure River Utaakari Vol.9. It includes an explanation of the event plans by the organizers, a choir performance and a presentation of year-round activities by students of Koyo Elementary School, and greetings from the Mayor of Nagato as the representative of the guests.
- Date and time: Friday, January 15, 2027, from 4:30 PM (about 1 hour)
- Location: Onto Cafe Room (恩湯喫茶室), Nagato Yumoto Onsen
Event Details
- Period: Friday, January 15, 2027 to Sunday, March 7, 2027
- Lighting hours: Sunset (around 6:00 PM) to 10:00 PM
- Location: Nagato Yumoto Onsen, Bamboo Forest Stairs and around the Otozure River
- Admission: Free
Access
- About 10 minutes by car from central Nagato (about 30 minutes by car from Motonosumi Shrine, 元乃隅神社)
- From the Mine direction: about 30 minutes by car from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
- From the Shimonoseki direction: about 5 minutes by car from Nagato Yumoto Onsen IC (free section) on the San'in Expressway (Nagato-Tawarayama Road)
Parking
Please use the municipal and private parking lots around Nagato Yumoto Onsen. Roads and parking lots in the area are expected to be crowded on weekends during the event.
Official Website
The latest event information, related events, a venue map and details of the various programs are posted on the official website and official social media accounts.
