A lunar New Year event that boasts a tradition of around 450 years. Kamakura (igloo-like snow domes) were not originally for enjoyment, but for praying to the water god enshrined within them for the safety of one’s family, prosperity in business, an abundant harvest, and so on. About 100 kamakura are built in various locations throughout the city and are lit up. Children speak in the local dialect to call on passersby to enter the kamakura and pray to the water god, while offering them amazake (warm, sweet nonalcoholic rice wine) and mochi (rice cakes). This snow country winter scene is so full of poetic sentiment that people are mesmerized by it.

Event Dates	Mid February every year (tentative)
Event Details	February 15 and 16 each year
Official site	https://www.yokotekamakura.com
Location (venue)	Doro Koen Park (in front of the Yokote City Hall building) / Kamakura-dori Street, Futaba-cho / Bukeyashiki-dori Street, Hagurocho / Yokote Park
Address	8-12 Chuo-machi, Yokote-shi, Akita
Price	Essentially free admission

Region	Hokkaido Tohoku
Category	Illumination, ライトアップ, 自然

Event organizers may change the date and time. Please check the official website.

update: Nov.11.2019