Nishikimachi Paper Balloon Plaza
Here, every year on February 10th from 4 PM to 8 PM, the 'Kami-Hinokinai Sky Lantern Festival' is held, which can be seen as a sky lantern blessing activity. The entire event features hundreds of giant sky lanterns with beautiful wishes written on them, as well as drawings of samurais and beauties! In addition, fireworks are set off during the event, and the giant sky lanterns in the night sky bloom together with the colorful fireworks, drifting in the sky in a staggered manner, creating a spectacular scene!
Shinzan Shrine
'Namahage Festival' is a traditional festival in Japan, also known as the 'Red Demon Festival'. It is said to be held to drive away demons of plague and disaster. The most distinctive feature of the Namahage Festival is 'Namahage', a ritual involving the symbolic cutting of flesh and peeling of skin. This is said to be a form of worship to the deities, seeking their blessings and peace. Although this ritual may seem very frightening, it is a form of respect for tradition, faith, and culture in the hearts of the locals, as well as a prayer for peace and health. If you want to understand Japan's traditional religious beliefs and culture, the Namahage Festival is a festival worth experiencing. It is usually held from 18:00 to 20:30 on the second Friday to Sunday of February each year.
Ōmachi Hachikō Street
Every year on the second Saturday and Sunday of February (February 11th) from 10:00 to 17:30 or (February 11th) from 9:00 to 15:30, a 'Ōdate Candy Market' event with a history of over 400 years is held. It is said that eating the candies from this market not only wards off evil spirits but also prevents colds. At this time, the branches are not adorned with blooming cherry blossoms but are instead covered with many colorful candies, which look very cute and fun.
Kakunodate Town Venues
February 14th is Valentine's Day in Japan, and in Akita, there is a traditional event called 'Kakunodate Hiburi Kamakura' (Kakunodate Fire Swinging Snow Huts), also known as 'Fire Swinging,' which has a history of over 400 years. Performers hold burning charcoal bags and swing their bodies to form circles, throwing the blazing fire rings above their heads, creating a spectacular sight as they whirl rapidly in the snowy night sky. It is said that the origin of this event is to use the sacred flames to drive away bad luck from the fields and pray for a bountiful harvest and the safety and health of the family in the new year. After the event, visitors can take home the ropes used to tie the straw bags as amulets. If you want to participate in this event, you need to make a reservation in advance and pay a fee.
Yokote Park
Every year on February 15th and 16th from 18:00 to 20:00, the Kamakura Festival held in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, Japan, is one of the five major festivals celebrating ice and snow in the Tohoku region of Japan, with a history of over 450 years. This celebration features 100 snow huts and countless mini snow huts set up in the city center, squares, parks, and even on the campuses of local elementary schools. In the evening, the lights inside the snow huts illuminate, creating a very romantic atmosphere. The starlight twinkles, shining in the snowy fields, making it feel like being in a real-life fairy tale scene. Inside the snow huts, there are also altars dedicated to the water deity, where people pray for household stability, abundant harvests, and prosperous business. If you want to experience the fun of the Kamakura Festival, you can head to Yokote City!
