Kanagawa/Yokohama DC Special Project: Hands-on Pre-Event for Yugawara's 'Yukake Matsuri' (Water Splashing Festival) - 'You got water Fes!!' to be Held on Saturday, April 18, 2026!

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, ahead of Yugawara's traditional event, the 'Yukake Matsuri' (Water Splashing Festival), we will hold an experiential pre-event called 'You got water Fes!!' (Yugawara Fes).

This event is a participatory program themed around 'hot water' and 'hot spring culture,' which are symbols of Yugawara Onsen. It aims to allow people from Japan and abroad, including foreign tourists visiting Japan, to experience Japanese festival culture.

1. Background of the Event Yugawara, a historic hot spring resort that even appears in the Man'yoshu (the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry), has long enjoyed a thriving hot spring cure culture and has been loved by domestic and international travelers. The 'Yukake Matsuri,' held in conjunction with the Gosho Shrine Reitaisai (annual grand festival), is a brave and unique event characteristic of a hot spring town, where participants parade while splashing hot spring water on a portable shrine (mikoshi).

In recent years, in response to the growing interest in participating in local culture and festivals, particularly among foreign tourists, we have planned this pre-event as a special event where people can experience the charm of the Yukake Matsuri more safely, clearly, and with multilingual support. By carefully explaining the cultural background and manners, the event is designed to be enjoyable not only for Japanese participants but also for foreigners experiencing a Japanese festival for the first time.

2. Event Overview - Name: You got water Fes!! (Yugawara Fes) - Date & Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026, around 18:30–20:00 - Venue: Square in front of the Entrance Terrace, Manyo Park, Yugawara Onsen Soyu (Details on the DC official website) - Organizer: Yugawara Onsen Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) - Planning & PR: JR East View Tourism & Sales Co., Ltd. (Contractor for the Kanagawa/Yokohama Destination Campaign Promotion Council) - Participation Fee: 4,000 yen (tax included) * Payment to be made at the reception on the day of the event. * Includes experience fee / bath facility usage fee / insurance fee. * Participants will receive an original towel featuring the 'Yukake Matsuri' and DC logos as a gift!

3. Clothing and Belongings (Important Notes) - Please bring Tabi socks or marine shoes. * Regular sneakers tend to slip off and may cause falls or injuries, so participation in them may not be permitted. - Please participate in clothes that you don't mind getting wet and that are not easily see-through. * Since hot spring water is used in the festival, you are likely to get wet. - The ground may be slippery. - For safety reasons, please follow the instructions of the staff on the day of the event.

4. Experience Program Content (60–90 minutes) - History explanation of the Yugawara Yukake Matsuri - Lecture on how to wear a Happi coat - Instruction on how to carry a Mikoshi (portable shrine) - Actual Mikoshi carrying experience - Bathing at a nearby hot spring facility after the experience (about 60 minutes) * Cultural background and festival manners will be carefully explained, ensuring that first-timers and foreign participants can join with peace of mind.

5. Other Precautions (1) Participation Requirements & Safety Guidelines - Those aged 14 and under cannot participate in the mikoshi carrying experience. - Small children are allowed to watch and participate in the water-splashing experience. - Please refrain from participating if you are feeling unwell. - Since there is a possibility of getting wet, please be mindful of your clothes and belongings. - Please follow the staff's instructions to participate safely.

(2) About Capacity - This event has a limited capacity (first-come, first-served). - Registration will automatically close once the capacity is reached. - Participation categories (carrying experience / viewing) may be subject to change.

(3) Handling of Photos and Videos Please note that photos and videos taken during the event may be used for tourism PR, on the official website, SNS, etc.

6. Participation Application (Advance Reservation Required) Please make a reservation through the official website of the Yugawara Onsen Tourism Association. https://www.yugawara.or.jp/news/15149/ * A reservation confirmation email will be sent. * Email addresses will be deleted within 90 days after the event ends.

Organizing Body Yugawara Onsen Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) 566 Miyakami, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 259-0314, Japan TEL: 0465-64-1234 FAX: 0465-63-3355 https://www.yugawara.or.jp/

* This project is implemented as a special event of the 'Kanagawa/Yokohama Destination Campaign Pre-Campaign' held from April to June 2026.