The 64th Sōunkyō Hot Spring Gorge Fire Festival

Summary

Sounkyo Onsen, a hot-spring town at the foot of Mount Kurodake in Daisetsuzan National Park, hosts the Gorge Fire Festival on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The venue is the Sounkyo park grounds by the hot-spring district, where last year's edition drew about 6,600 visitors. The Kamikawa Ainu 'Owl Ritual' is traditionally performed on the day, lighting up a night framed by mountains and steam. The venue is about 25 minutes by car via Route 39 from the Kamikawa-Sounkyo IC — an evening that pairs naturally with a hot-spring getaway.

Overview

Sounkyo Onsen is one of northern Hokkaido's leading hot-spring resorts and the gateway to Daisetsuzan National Park, with the ridges of Mount Kurodake and the gorge folding around the town. The Gorge Fire Festival takes its stage at the Sounkyo park grounds near the hot-spring district on a summer night — in 2026, Saturday, July 25, with a short display scheduled from 20:30 to 20:35. The fireworks aren't the only draw. The Kamikawa Ainu 'Owl Ritual', held each year on festival day, offers a rare chance to encounter Ainu culture. Spend the day in the gorge and the hot springs, join the festival in town from the early evening, and end the night with a soak — the location makes such a day easy to arrange. The venue is about 25 minutes by car via Route 39 from the Kamikawa-Sounkyo IC, with 182 free parking spaces around the town.

Details

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