Nagayu Onsen (Taketa City, Oita Pref.)

In the past, daimyo (feudal lords) were required make long processions to the capital, and this event, held in April of every year, recreates the historic atmosphere of the age 400 years ago as the participants, with swords in their sashes and carrying spears encased in horse-hair scabbards, proceed through the city streets.

During this festival, about 20,000 lanterns are lit, drawing the viewer into a world of fantasy. The biggest annual event held in Taketa, this festival is held every year in November, drawing more than 100,000 visitors.

The Kuju mountain range has many peaks rising above 1,000 meters, and there is a vast plateau at the foot of the mountains. In the spring, you will find many mountain flowers in bloom, like azaleas, and there are many colorful leaves in the autumn. The snow-capped mountains are especially beautiful in winter.

This facility opened in 1998 as a symbol of Nagayu Onsen, with its long 300 years of history. In addition to the main bath, there are bath facilities for families and rest areas. Gozenyu is a sister resort to one of the facilities representative of the hot spring and sanitarium resort areas in Germany, the Vita Classica Hot Springs in Bad Klozingen.

This festival is held every year in May to celebrate the gathering of the crop of the "lady of the vegetables of spring," white asparagus. During this period, the lodging facilities and restaurants in the Naoiri district all feature white asparagus on the menu.