The Beppu Hattou Onsen Festival is now on in Beppu, Oita, and as part of it the very first Beppu Onsen Marathon is taking place. The title plays with the fact that “furo marathon” (bath marathon) sounds like “furu marathon” (full marathon). The aim is for candidates to make it round 42 onsen, covering a total distance of 42.195 km (by whatever method of transport they’d prefer). There is no time limit, and everyone will win an oke (bathing pail), while those who cross the finish line will receive the event’s original T-shirt. The 42 onsen include city-run onsen, public baths, Japanese-style inns, hotels and footbaths. Only 100 people can enter, chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, and the entry cost is ¥2,000 (which includes entry to all 42 facilities). Reception will open at 5:30 on the day, and participants will be given a stamp rally card, participating facilities list, rulebook, onsen festival pamphlet, onsen book and onsen passport. Call the event committee office by Mar. 18 (Fri.), 17:00 to register.
If you’re on your way to Oita, you might find our area guide useful – check it out!
Image: Takegawara Onsen – one of the 42 onsen involved in the event.
• 4/1 (Fri.) ~ 4/3 (Sun.)
• 6:00 (4/1) ~ 17:00 (4/3)
• ¥2,000
• Participating Beppu Hattou Onsen facilities
• Beppu, Oita Pref.
• 0977-24-2828
• http://beppu-event.jp/onsenmatsuri/#furomarathon
