A magical evening
stroll through
the illuminated
hot spring mist.

Jozankei Onsen—a land imbued with 160 years of history. As you stroll, guided by the soft, warm glow, you will gently connect with the memories and spirits of the pioneers woven into this very earth. This evening walk through the valley offers a truly unique summer lantern experience, crafted just for you.

period

2026 6.1mon – 10.31sat

time

Final entry21:15

June – August
19:00-21:30

September-October
18:00-21:30

Admission Information

While the “Summer Lantern Festival” is free for anyone to enjoy as they stroll through the Jozankei Onsen area, the Jozankei Shrine venue is exclusively for staying hotel guests.

Jozankei Shrine venueFor hotel guests only / Nighttime viewing

Exclusive access for staying guests: A complimentary admission ticket from your hotel is required for entry.

On September 9th and 10th, the Jozankei Shrine Grand Festival will be held, and everyone is welcome to enter
(some performances will be suspended).
*In conjunction with the preparations for the Grand Festival, nighttime viewing will be suspended on September 8th and 11th.

location

Jozankei Shrine (nighttime entry restricted to hotel guests),
Jozan Onsen Park,
Iwato Kannon
-do, Ashi no Fureai Taro no Yu
, and other onsen resort will be illuminated with traditional Japanese lights.

The Story of the Pioneer Spirit:
Miizumi Jozan and the Land of Jozankei

One hundred and sixty years ago, a Shugendo monk named Miizumi Jozan was guided by the Ainu people to a hidden hot spring. Driven by a deep desire to heal others, he founded a spa resort here, marking the birth of Jozankei Onsen. Today, this rich history lives on as a timeless tale etched into the very land of the town. We invite you to walk through this story of pioneering spirit, beautifully illuminated by the glowing lights of the Summer Lantern Festival.

The “Summer Lantern Festival” can be enjoyed while strolling through the Jozankei Onsen area, so anyone is welcome to view it freely.
However, the Jozankei Shrine venue is only open to hotel guests.

Ichi no Akari (Light I)
The path leading to the shrine, where the gods are said to gather tonight in the sacred grove that formed the foundation of the settlement, marks
the boundary between this place and everyday life.
We bow to the main shrine, which floats beyond the deep mist, and
pray, contemplating the future. The birthplace of the summer lantern path.

This shrine enshrines five deities along with its founder, the Shugendo monk Miizumi Jozan. It stands as a gateway leading from the ancient stories residing in this lantern-lit land toward the threshold of the future.

Ni no Akari (Light II)
In the heart of the hot spring town stands a Kannon Hall,
where the watchful light has been continuously burning for 90 years.
The thoughts and wishes of the people inscribed on the lanterns
are a cherished reminder of peace.

A place that cherishes the wish for peace

This shrine was built to commemorate those who died while working on the construction of the road connecting Otaru and Jozankei Onsen.
The opening of the road from Otaru, a popular tourist and merchant town, was a long-cherished wish of the founder, Jozan Misen, but the construction of the treacherous road proved extremely difficult. It wasn’t until 1936, more than 50 years after Jozan’s death, that
his dream was finally fulfilled. Lanterns donated by geishas who were active in Jozankei at the time are enshrined on the ceiling of the shrine, creating a space where one can quietly reflect on the wishes of the pioneers and their prayers for peace.

San no Akari (Light III)
This is the place where the gods gather tonight in the sacred grove that formed the foundation of the settlement of Jozankei Onsen, and
where the founder of Jozankei Onsen,
Misaki Jozan, first encountered the riverside hot spring , gazing up at
the starry sky as it pours down. It is a place to reflect on 160 years of history.

A place to reflect on 160 years of history.

This park was created to carry on the spirit of its founder, Miizumi Jozan, and pass it down to future generations… reflect on the history of the pioneers alongside the statue of Jozan that watches over the grounds.

Shi no Akari (Light IV)
The footbath, filled with soft light, is a place to enjoy encounters in Jozankei,
a town where the guardian spirits of the forest and water reside.

A place to enjoy meeting new people

The footbath at the entrance of Jozankei Onsen is uniquely octagonal, designed with the heartfelt wish that “people, while surrounded by nature, can look into each other’s eyes and truly connect.”

Yukemuri-zaka Slope and Yu-no-taki (Hot spring Falls)
The sloping path connecting the former Jozankei Railway station to the hot spring town was once the bustling gateway to Jozankei, filled with welcoming innkeepers and geishas. This historic path is now adorned with lanterns.
Why not take a trip back in time and imagine the scenes of that era?

Event

Watch the Mikoshi Parade Through the Hot Spring Town
Jozankei Shrine Annual Grand Festival

The absolute highlight of the festival is the “Mikoshi Togyo”—a vibrant procession where a portable shrine is paraded through the hot spring town. The shrine grounds will come alive with traditional festival food stalls and local vendors.

On September 9th and 10th, the Jozankei Shrine Grand Festival will be held, and everyone is welcome to enter (some performances will be suspended).
*In conjunction with the preparations for the Grand Festival, nighttime viewing will be suspended on September 8th and 11th.

  • Date : Eve of the festival September 9th (Wed) Main festival September 10th (Thu)
  • Organizer :Jozankei Shrine Festival Executive Committee

Summer festival fair
hotspring steam beer garden

A Bon Odori (traditional Japanese dance festival) will be held for a limited time during the summer holidays. A beer garden selling beer, soft drinks, and light snacks, as well as festival stalls, will be set up.

  • Dates: July 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th, August 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th
  • Organizer: Project JZK
  • Location: To be determined

  • *Dates and participating vendors are subject to change.

    • If you are staying at a hotel that distributes nighttime admission tickets for Jozankei Shrine
    , please bring the admission ticket provided by your accommodation.

    Accommodations

    Campground Facilities

    Is it possible to visit the Jozankei Shrine venue, which is usually only open to hotel guests, before the event starts?

    Yes, the shrine building is closed as it is unattended, but you are welcome to visit and offer your prayers.

    Is it possible that the event might be canceled due to sudden bad weather?

    The event will proceed as scheduled unless there is extremely severe weather. The performance at Jozankei Shrine may even be more magical in rainy weather. In case of cancellation, we will announce it on the Jozankei Tourism Association website and on our official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts.

    Is there a parking lot?

    Please use the Times Jozankei Tourist Parking Lot.
    (¥500 per car per day, next to Hotel Millione. Capacity: 54 cars)

    Is there a restroom?

    Public restrooms are available at the Jozankei Community Development Center, in front of Futami Park, and inside the Iwato Kannon Hall
    . There are no restrooms at Jozankei Shrine.

    Is there a smoking area?

    No, we don’t have any. Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire establishment.

    Is it possible to eat and drink inside the venue? Are there trash cans?

    Eating and drinking are not permitted. This area is located within a national park. It is home to a variety of plants and animals. Please take your trash with you.

    Is it possible to use a camera tripod?

    Yes, it is possible. Please use it with consideration for other passersby.

    Are pets allowed?

    Jozankei Shrine: Pets are welcome only if held in your arms (due to exposed electrical wiring)
    Iwato Kannon-do ：Not allowed inside the building
    Jozan Onsen Park ：OK (bathtub not allowed)
    Taro no Yu ： OK (bathtub not allowed)

    Is the Jozankei Shrine venue accessible by wheelchair?

    It is possible, but please be accompanied by a caregiver.
    Please speak to a staff member at the entrance. We will guide you to the wheelchair-accessible route.
    (Some sections are unpaved.)

    Are strollers allowed at the Jozankei Shrine venue?

    It is possible, but there are stairs and a sloping path leading to the shrine.

    The Jozankei Shrine venue is listed as an event exclusively for hotel guests, but is it possible to enter if I’m just using the hot springs or restaurants for a day trip?

    No, you cannot. Only hotel guests are allowed entry. Thank you for your understanding.

    Does “guests” include those at resorts, campgrounds, etc.?

    Yes, this applies. This refers to accommodations affiliated with the Jozankei Tourism Association (listed on our website). Please note that private lodgings (minpaku) are not included. Please receive an “admission ticket” from your accommodation and proceed to the shrine venue.

    How long will it take?

    There are seven locations featured in the performance: Jozankei Shrine, Yukemuri Slope, Jozan Hot Spring Park, Tsukimi Bridge, Iwato Kannon Hall, Jozankei Ohashi Bridge, and Taro no Yu. Visiting all of them will take approximately 1.5 hours or more on foot.

    Is there a shuttle bus to the venue?

    There are none. We hope you will enjoy the atmosphere of the hot spring town at your leisure on foot.

    Are there any restaurants near the venue that I can stop by?

    Along the national highway, there are restaurants open at night such as “Kita no Kuni (Millione 3F)” and “Izakaya Kita no Kappa,” and in the hot spring town, there are restaurants such as “Jozankei Bussankan (with a café corner inside),” “Shokudo Konno,” “cafe & bar Wall,” “Ramen Karaku,” and “Snack Sesekka.” Please feel free to stop by.
    A beer garden will be held at “Jozankei Shrine” on weekends from mid-July to mid-August.

    【Precautions】

    1. Jozankei Shrine is a special viewing area accessible only to guests staying at accommodation facilities within Jozankei (*).
      *Accommodation facilities refer to all accommodations with facilities, such as hotels, inns, resorts, and campgrounds that are members of the Jozankei Tourism Association. (Facilities not listed on the association’s website are not included.)
      *All guests staying at the facility are eligible to enter. Please receive your admission ticket (free of charge) from your accommodation facility and come to the shrine venue. Staff will collect the ticket at the entrance to the shrine venue.
    2. The final entry time for the Jozankei Shrine venue is 9:15 PM. All stage lighting, including that in other performance areas, will be turned off at 9:30 PM. Please leave the venue by 9:30 PM. Your cooperation in strictly adhering to the schedule is greatly appreciated.
    3. The venue includes stairs, steps, and dark areas for theatrical purposes. Please watch your step while watching the performance. Also, please wear comfortable shoes.
    4. For customers with young children, please take sufficient precautions and provide guidance to ensure that they do not run around or touch any equipment, in order to prevent accidents.
    5. Please do not touch any of the equipment installed. You will be charged for any damage to the equipment or facilities caused by you.
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