Every May, the city of Hita in western Oita Prefecture declares that summer has arrived — not with a calendar date, but with a burst of fireworks over the Mikuma River. The 79th Hita River Opening Festival (Kawahiraki Kanko Matsuri) takes place on May 23–24, 2026, marking the ceremonial start of the river season in a town that has built its identity around water.
Hita has been called "the Little Kyoto of Kyushu," and while that title gets attached to many Japanese towns, here it genuinely fits. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the town grew as a feudal administrative center — a tenryō, or land directly governed by the Tokugawa shogunate. The result is a compact, elegant settlement of wooden merchant houses, narrow lanes, and a river that functions as both scenic backdrop and cultural stage.
The Festival
The two-day festival centers on the Mikuma River, which flows through the heart of town. The headline event is the fireworks display on the evening of May 24 — around 10,000 shells light up the river basin, their reflections doubling the spectacle on the water's surface. The mountains that encircle Hita create a natural amphitheater, trapping the sound and making even modest shells feel thunderous.
During the day, dragon boat races animate the river, with teams from local neighborhoods competing in painted wooden boats. A water parade of illuminated houseboats (yakatabune) drifts along the Mikuma at dusk, creating a scene that feels lifted from an Edo-period woodblock print.
On the riverbanks, food stalls sell Hita specialties: yakisoba made with the town's famous crispy noodles, grilled sweetfish (ayu) caught right from the Mikuma, and Hita-style chicken karaage — larger, juicier pieces than the Tokyo standard.
Exploring Mameda-machi
No visit to Hita is complete without a walk through Mameda-machi, the old merchant quarter. Two parallel streets of Edo- and Meiji-era buildings now house craft shops, cafes, sake breweries, and small museums. The Kuncho Sake Brewery offers free tastings of its junmai ginjo, brewed with mountain spring water. Several shops specialize in Hita geta — traditional wooden clogs that have been the town's signature craft for centuries.
The district feels unhurried in a way that tourist-heavy Kyoto streets no longer do. On a weekday, you might have entire lanes to yourself.
Getting There
Hita is more accessible than its mountain-ringed setting suggests. From Fukuoka's Hakata Station, the JR Kyudai Main Line reaches Hita Station in about 2 hours (¥2,500). Alternatively, highway buses run from Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Beppu, each taking around 2–3 hours.
For a deeper trip, combine Hita with the hot spring town of Kurokawa Onsen (1 hour south by car) or continue east to Beppu's famous hells. The festival falls on a weekend, making a two-night Kyushu mini-trip very manageable.
Tips
Fireworks viewing: The best free spots fill up by late afternoon on May 24. Arrive by 16:00 to claim a riverside position. Some ryokan along the Mikuma offer rooms with river views — book well in advance.
Accommodation: Hita has traditional ryokan with riverside rotenburo (outdoor baths). Amagase Onsen, 20 minutes south, is another option with spectacular gorge-side baths.
Weather: Late May in inland Kyushu can be warm and humid. Light, breathable clothing and a towel are essential. Sudden rain showers are possible — pack a compact umbrella.
Dates: May 23–24, 2026 Location: Mikuma River area, Hita, Oita Prefecture Access: JR Hita Station, 2 hours from Hakata (Fukuoka) Cost: Free admission; fireworks viewing is free along the riverbanks
Image: Mikuma River and Hita Onsen, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
