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 | February 15 and 16 each year |
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Event Details | February 15 and 16 |
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 |
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Category | Illumination, ライトアップ, 自然 |
Event organizers may change the date and time. Please check the official website.
update: Dec.23.2020