Festival/Event name: Snow Festival in Yokote
Prefecture: Akita Prefecture
Area Name: Yokote City

A non-daily experience to taste because of the snow country

The Snow Festival in Yokote is held every year in February of the new Year.A variety of events will be held during the period.The Kamakura is made around 100 units in the entire city, and the height of 3m is famous nationally, and it is possible to enjoy the rice cakes and amazake, etc. in the Kamakura on the day.As well as surrounding the venue scattered around Yokote city, Kamakura can charter the “Kamakura in-advance experience” and mini-Kamakura “mini Kamakura making experience”, such as, it is attractive to be able to experience the Kamakura in the deep.

A history of 450 years of traditional winter events

“Yokote Kamakura” is a traditional event of a small New Year with a history of about 450 years.In the town where Samurai live in the Edo period, a square snow wall was made on January 14 of the lunar calendar, and in the outside town where merchants live, the snow hole was made by the wells of the town on January 15th of the lunar calendar, and each of them was dedicated to God and excluded the misfortune. It is said that the beginning of the prayer of family harmony and children’s growth.These customs have been passed down through the years, and since 1954, it has been held as a Kamakura event on February 15 and 16, every year as a snow festival in Yokote.

Feel the warmth of hospitality in Kamakura

The “Snow Festival of Yokote” is typical of “450 years of tradition and Kamakura”.Kamakura is made by four adults and takes about two days to make one.The area is about four to five adults, and the water God is enshrined in the altar made with snow, and it is a solemn atmosphere.Inside, the rice cakes baked by local elementary and junior high school students in Amazake and Shichirin will entertain guests who visit the festival.The enjoyment is not exhausted as it enters the Kamakura, the offerings is raised, and it talks with local children.Kamakura is dotted around Yokote city, and there is also a bus service for the main venues.

A myriad of fantastic lights emerge in the silver world

Another highlight is the “mini Kamakura” which brings a fantastic atmosphere.There are a lot of about 2,000 small Kamakura that the local people made in the venue of the Sakawa of the South Elementary school schoolyard and the snake in Yokote.In the evening, candles are lit inside, and the entire venue is filled with a romantic atmosphere.The “Mini Kamakura making experience” that tourists can participate in this event is held at the Komyoji Park in 20 people (11:00 to 14:00) each day of the first meeting.The mini-Kamakura can also be made to light candles, so let’s take the challenge.

“Kamakura Pavilion” that can be touched by Kamakura all year round

For those who unfortunately could not participate in the Snow Festival in Yokote, or who would like to know more about Kamakura, go to the Yokote City Fureai Center Kamakura-Kan, opposite the Komyoji Park.You can learn about the history of Kamakura in panel exhibitions and video footage.In addition, there is a “Kamakura room” which can be touched by the real Kamakura made of the snow in Yokote all year round in the pavilion, and let’s carry the foot.The room is kept at all times minus 10 ℃, you can feel the severity of the winter of yokote in the skin.

Festival/Event name Snow Festival in Yokote
Date of event February 15 and 16, 18:00-21:00
Venue Yokote City Hall Road Park, Yokote Park, Haguro Samurai Residence Street, Futaba Town Kamakura Street, East Bustle Plaza (Ekimae), private garden Gorobei Village
Tel. 0182-33-7111 (Yokote City Tourism Association)
Free of charge (Kamakura for 1 hour, 3,000 yen per set)
Access 10 minutes walk from Jr Yokote Station (to Yokote City Hall)
URL https://www.yokotekamakura.com/01_event/04_winter/kamakura_kaisai_h29.html