Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival 横手雪祭り
Japan's igloos
Yokote, located around the city of Akita, celebrates the Yokote kamakura matsuri every February 15 and 16, during which it hosts an impressive number of igloo-shaped constructions. This tradition dating back several hundred years offers the vision of carpets of snow studded with light. Back to a life-size work of art.
A children's festival
The Yokote Kamakura Festival is over 450 years old . It is said to have originated from the burning of decorations for New Year's festivities which, in this movement, would be sent back to the gods and from the custom of children hunting birds to protect crops. It is the latter as well as teenagers who build kamakura or snow huts in the city every year. They are created from snow agglomerated into a small mound which is then dug . The igloos are lit by lanterns, while an altar in honor of the deities of water is installed there, with daifuku (stuffed rice dough) and amazake (non-alcoholic drink made from rice ).
The small igloos of the Yokote Snow Festival.
Chris Lewis
Deskamakura of all sizes
About a hundred large kamakura are made between the JR Yokote station and the castle - located about 2 kilometers from the river - and can accommodate between 4 and 6 people. From 6 to 9 p.m., children hail passers-by in the Akita dialect to invite them to make an offering to the deities and to taste daifuku and amazake . You can pray to the gods of water there for good future harvests, good health, etc. This is an opportunity for travelers to chat with locals and discover an authentic Japan.
Read also : The snow festival in Sapporo
Other small kamakura , just big enough to hold a lantern, are lined up in tight rows along the Yokote River, near the castle or Minami Elementary School. These small kamakura offer a romantic winter vision to the visitor on a walk, and the chance to take magnificent photos from popular observation points such as the castle, built on a hill and which allows a panoramic view of the city.
A kamakura in front of Yokote Castle
Wikipedia
Works of art are preserved
Another particularity of this festival is to be found on the side of the Yokote Kamakura museum , the Kamakura-kan. In addition to retracing the history of the kamakura in the city, you will find a very special cold room there. Indeed, a number of kamakura are kept there in the cold so that visitors can admire certain specimens of the festival at any time of the year. It is possible to sit inside, as during the festivities. Be careful, you have to dress warmly, the cold room displays very low temperatures!
Discover : The winter festival in Asahikawa
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
From the station, the museum is a 10-minute walk, the castle 40 minutes. A free bus follows the circuit between the museum, Yokote Castle and Minami Elementary School during both evenings.Access
February 15 and 16. The festival takes place between 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. on both days.
