What it is
Himeshima is a small island off the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita. Its Bon dances, held during the summer Obon festival when the spirits of ancestors are said to return, are among the most varied in Japan, with each district performing its own.
The most famous is the kitsune odori, the fox dance. Children dressed in white, with white-painted faces and whiskers, hop, crouch and twirl like playful foxes. The dances are thought to grow out of Buddhist nenbutsu dances of the Kamakura period.
The festival at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Aug 14–15, evening | Bon dances: Island groups perform a range of traditional bon dances, including the fox dance |
Which day should you go?
Either evening
Watch the dances at the ferry square, where groups from around the island perform in turn.
What to look for
The fox dance
Children with white-painted faces, drawn-on whiskers and white costumes hop like foxes.
Many dances
Each district of the island has its own dance, old and new.
Origins
The dances are said to come from the Buddhist nenbutsu dances of the Kamakura period.
Getting there & where to stay
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Oita Airport | Bus or car to Imi port, then ferry to Himeshima | about 1 h 30 min |
| Beppu | Car to Imi port, then ferry to Himeshima | about 1 h 30 min |
On the day. The dances are held near the ferry terminal on Himeshima. Extra ferries run at night during the festival.
Crowds. Ferries and island inns are limited. Check the ferry timetable before you go.
Where to stay
Himeshima
Small guesthouses on the island. Stay to see the dances without rushing for the ferry.
Kunisaki or Beppu
More rooms on the mainland. Beppu is a famous hot-spring town.
When to book. Island guesthouses fill for Obon. Book 3 months ahead.
Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.
Practical tips
- Ferries. Check the ferry timetable, including the extra night sailings, before you go.
Glossary
Obonお盆
The Buddhist summer season, usually mid-August, when the spirits of ancestors are believed to return home. Bon dances and farewell fires mark it.
Matsuri祭り
A Japanese festival, usually held for the kami of a local shrine. The word comes from the idea of serving and entertaining the gods.
References
- TOS Oita news: Himeshima Bon Odori begins, https://tosonline.jp/news/20240815/00000001.html
- Matsuri Stream (Nippon Matsuri Network): Himeshima Bon Odori.
Last checked 2026-10-13.