In the snowy landscapes of the Tohoku region, you'll discover captivating snow festivals featuring giant snow sculptures and natural works of art, like the breathtaking frost-covered trees. These festivals also offer a unique glimpse into the region’s rich cultural traditions. By night, the enchanting atmosphere becomes even more magical with stunning light displays. At the festival venues, you can also warm up with local dishes and comfort food made from regional ingredients at the many food stalls. Here are seven must-see snow festivals in Tohoku. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of sparkling white!
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1. Yokote Kamakura Festival (Akita)
In Japan's snowy regions, there is a traditional event called "Kamakura," celebrated during Koshogatsu (the Little New Year) (*1). This involves hollowing out dome-shaped snow mounds, where locals honor the water deity. Yokote City is the birthplace of this tradition, which has a history said to span over 450 years. Every year on February 15th and 16th, Yokote holds the Kamakura Festival, featuring about 80 snow domes, each around 3 meters tall, created by local residents known as "Kamakura craftsmen."
Inside these Kamakura, visitors are warmly welcomed by local children. Speaking in their native dialect, they serve grilled mochi and sweet amazake (*2). Additionally, at various venues, thousands of mini Kamakura, around 30 cm tall and handcrafted by local elementary school students, are beautifully arranged. At night, candles are lit inside both the large and small Kamakura, transforming the area into a breathtaking, dreamlike scene.
*1 Koshogatsu refers to the traditional lunar calendar’s New Year, around January 15th.
*2 Before entering a Kamakura, make sure to ask for permission to step inside.
spot information
- Location: Yokote City Hall Front Area, Yokote Park, Futaba Town, and other areas throughout the city
- Address: 8-2 Chuocho, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture
- Dates: February 15th and 16th annually
- Lighting Hours: 18:00–21:00
- Nearest Station: Yokote Station
- Official Website: https://www.yokotekamakura.com/event/3-5/
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2. Lake Towada Winter Festival (Aomori)
The Lake Towada Winter Festival is held on the shores of the mystical Lake Towada, surrounded by snow and ice. One of the main highlights is the winter fireworks, which light up the crisp winter night sky with music. The gentle winter breeze clears the smoke, making the vibrant fireworks stand out even more. For a special experience, you can purchase a personalized message firework as well.
The festival site features the "Yatai Mura Snow Lantern Alley," where you can enjoy local delicacies from Towada, Aomori, and the Tohoku region, with numerous food stalls offering unique flavors. In addition to delicious food, there are snow slides for sledding, cultural performances from Aomori, Akita, and Iwate held on weekends, and plenty of other exciting events to enjoy. It's an entertainment-filled festival perfect for visitors of all ages.
spot information
- Location: Towadako Rest Area Multipurpose Plaza
- Address: Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
- Dates: Scheduled from January to February (February 2 – February 25, 2024)
- Opening Hours: Weekdays: 16:00–20:00, Weekends & Holidays: 11:00–20:00 (Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
- Nearest Station: About 2 hours and 35 minutes by bus from Hachinohe Station
- Official Website: https://towadako-winter.com/
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3. Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (Aomori)
The Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival is held annually in February. The park is decorated with around 150 handmade snow lanterns, along with various other snow sculptures of all sizes. Visitors can admire the large snow sculptures, some modeled after historical buildings, and the Tsugaru Nishiki-e Grand Corridor, featuring paintings used during the summer Neputa Festival. There's also a big snow slide and a snow play area, making it a fun event for both kids and adults.
After sunset, the snow-covered Hirosaki Castle and its ancient pines are beautifully illuminated, creating an enchanting atmosphere. In the "Nishi-no-Kuruwa" area, around 300 mini snow huts (kamakura) are lit with candles, casting a magical glow. Additionally, colorful snow lanterns brighten the snowy landscape, with "Neputa" paintings beautifully displayed on the illuminated sections of the lanterns.
spot information
- Location: Hirosaki Park, National Historic Site "Hirosaki Castle Ruins"
- Address: 1 Shimoshiraginomachi, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
- Dates: Held every February (February 9 – February 12, 2024)
- Hours: 10:00–21:00 (closes at 20:00 on the final day)
- Illumination Time: 16:30 (sunset) – 21:00 (closes at 20:00 on the final day)
- Nearest Station: About 15 minutes by bus from JR Hirosaki Station or Konan Railway Hirosaki Station
- Official Website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_winter_yuki
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4. Shizukuishi Winter Festa at Koiwai Farm (Iwate)
The Shizukuishi Winter Festa is held at Koiwai Farm’s "Makibaen," located at the base of Mount Iwate. This event offers a wide variety of winter activities like sledding, snow play, and fireworks displays. Thrill-seekers can enjoy exciting attractions such as snow trains and banana boats, where snowmobiles pull rubber rafts over the snow. When you're ready to warm up, you can gather around the fire pits and watch the flickering flames.
The dining options are also unique. You can enjoy hot meals like sukiyaki or shabu-shabu made with Koiwai beef in an igloo-style dome made of snow called a "kamakura." There's also a winter-only restaurant with wood-burning stoves where you can relax and warm yourself while eating. Local flavors can also be sampled at food trucks. This festival is the perfect way to fully experience the winter charm of Koiwai Farm.
spot information
- Location: Koiwai Farm Makibaen
- Address: 36-1 Maruyachi, Shizukuishi Town, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
- Dates: January 25 – February 16, 2025 (January 27 – February 12, 2024)
- *Fireworks Days: January 27, February 3, 10, and 11
- Hours: 9:00–16:30 (last entry 15:30); fireworks days: until 20:30
- Nearest Station: About 35 minutes by bus from JR Morioka Station
- Official Website: https://www.koiwaifarm.com/
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5. Zao Snow Monster Festival (Zao Snow Monster Light-up) (Yamagata)
The Zao Snow Monster Festival is held at Zao Onsen Ski Resort during the time when the iconic "snow monsters" or "ice monsters" form. These unique frost-covered trees, created when water vapor freezes onto branches, are a famous sight in Zao. To experience the beauty of the snow monsters, the Zao Ropeway is the best option. The 20-minute aerial ride takes you to the Jizo Sancho Station, offering a breathtaking view of the snow-covered landscape. At the summit, you can enjoy the scenery from a terrace or restaurant, with a daytime view of towering white monsters and a magical, illuminated spectacle at night.
Additional events include the 1,000 Torch Skiing, where a thousand skiers glide down the slopes with lights, and winter fireworks. With its dramatic snow formations and vibrant events, this festival is both beautiful and exhilarating.
spot information
- Location: Zao Onsen Ski Resort
- Address: 709-1 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
- Dates: Late December to early March annually (December 23, 2023 – February 25, 2024)
- Light-up Hours: 17:00–21:00 (Zao Ropeway operating hours)
- Nearest Station: About 45 minutes by bus from JR Yamagata Station
- Official Website: http://www.kankou.yamagata.yamagata.jp/zao/winter/jyuhyofes_2023-2024/
6. Inukko Festival (Akita)
The Inukko Festival is a traditional event that has been held for approximately 400 years. It takes place every February in Yuzawa City, Akita, and is a major winter celebration. The festival grounds are decorated with snow-made Inukko shrines and temples, along with snow sculptures of "inukko" (small dogs). At night, the candlelit snow temples create a nostalgic and atmospheric scene. The festival traces its origins back to a time when a feudal lord, after defeating a notorious bandit, ordered people to place rice flour dogs at their doors and windows on the night of the lunar New Year to pray for protection from future bandits.
During the festival, various events take place, including traditional taiko drum performances, winter fireworks, and special prayers for pet dogs at the Inukko Shrine. In Yuzawa’s Yanagimachi shopping street, around 1,000 candles bearing children's wishes light up the "Thousand Snow Lanterns," casting a magical glow in the darkness. For dog lovers, this festival is not to be missed!
spot information
- Location: Around Yuzawa City Gymnasium and Yuzawa City’s central shopping district
- Address: 140 Okitsuru, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture (Yuzawa City Gymnasium)
- Dates: Every February
- Light-up Hours: From sunset to 21:00; until 19:00 on the second day
- Nearest Station: Yuzawa Station (shuttle buses available to the venue)
- Official Website: https://inukkofes.com/
7. Ouchi-juku Snow Festival (Fukushima)
Ouchi-juku is a post town that dates back to the Edo period of the 17th century, with traditional thatched-roof houses lining the streets. Many of the homes still have hearths inside, giving visitors a sense of what life was like centuries ago. Every year on the second Saturday and Sunday in February, the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival takes place, transforming the historic town into a snow-covered wonderland. In the evening, snow lanterns line the streets, and candles are lit inside, casting a warm, soft glow over the town, creating a fantastical atmosphere.
Festival highlights include the "Dango Sashi" tradition, where colorful rice dumplings are skewered on tree branches, and the "Goshinka Taika," where men run through the town carrying sacred torches. The fireworks display adds an extra touch of magic to the snowy scenery. The Ouchi-juku Snow Festival offers a truly special experience steeped in the beauty of old Japan.
spot information
- Location: Ouchi-juku
- Address: Ouchi, Shimogou Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
- Dates: Second Saturday and Sunday of February
- Light-up Hours: 18:00–20:00
- Nearest Station: About 10 minutes by car from Yunokami Onsen Station
- Official Website: https://ouchi-juku.com/
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Prepare a Reliable SIM Card
Winter festival locations are often in regions with heavy snowfall, so it’s essential to stay connected and keep an eye on the weather forecast. Make sure to prepare a reliable SIM card that works in Japan to ensure you have internet access when you need it most. This will help you avoid any issues with losing connection at a critical moment.
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Check Your Winter Essentials
When traveling to regions where winter festivals are held, it's important to pack appropriately. One key factor to consider is the extreme temperature differences between indoors and outdoors. While it may be freezing outside, indoor areas are often very warm, so be mindful of this contrast. Additionally, if you plan to visit multiple regions, keep in mind that different areas may require different winter essentials. Make sure to review your checklist so you can enjoy Japan’s beautiful winter comfortably!
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