A new nighttime event is set to brighten up Hokkaido’s famous Jozankei Onsen this summer. To mark the 160th anniversary of the hot spring resort, Sapporo’s Jozankei area will host Summer Lanterns: A Stroll Through the Steam of Hot Springs, running daily from June through the end of October.
The event reimagines the popular JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE with a fresh focus on traditional Japanese-style lighting. Lanterns and paper lamps will illuminate various spots throughout the onsen town, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that visitors can enjoy while strolling between baths, foot spas, and local attractions.
One of the highlights is the main venue at Jozankei Shrine, where projection mapping created by NAKED, INC. will combine with mist and lighting effects to create an immersive nighttime experience inspired by the history and natural surroundings of the area. The installation also ties into the story of Jozankei founder Miizumi Jozan, whose name the hot spring town takes from.
Additional illuminated locations include Jozankei Gensen Park, Iwato Kannon-do Temple, and the Ashi no Fureai Taro no Yu footbath area.
The event will run daily from June 1st to October 31st, 2026. Admission is free, although access to the Jozankei Shrine venue is limited to guests staying at accommodations within the Jozankei area, with entry tickets distributed by participating hotels, inns, resorts, and campgrounds.
