Tohoku Snow Festivals

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3 Unique Ways to Experience Snow in Tohoku

Tohoku is an area with an abundance of snow.

There are lots of spots with an abundance of snow in the Tohoku area, especially during the snow event period from December to February each year. With it, various sights, like Japanese castles, appear more stunning on social media.

Here are three famous snow events in Tohoku. Be sure to wear gloves, a winter scarf, thick undergarments, and non-slip shoes when you visit these places, as being outdoors during winter in Tohoku can get a little slippery and cold!

（1）Be amazed with the view at the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival（Aomori）

The Hirosaki Castle (left) and winter illumination (right) at Hirosaki Park

Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival is a winter event in Hirosaki Park, situated in the Aomori Prefecture. It’s well known as a cherry blossoms viewing spot.

About 150 large and small snow lanterns as well as snow sculptures are placed around the park and lit up from sunset to 9 p.m. Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival has been held largely by locals in an attempt to add brightness to the white snow and enjoy the long winter to the max in northern Japan. The main venue, Hirosaki Castle's Yonomaru, has plenty of fun activities, such as large snow sculptures made under the theme of historic buildings, and a slide you can negotiate on sleds and tire tubes! There’s also a display of an installation made by a candle artist using a wooden box that is still used in Hirosaki’s apple industry. (Aomori boasts the largest domestic apple production in Japan.) Numerous stalls are set to open in the Yonomaru area, as well as a local sake bar. Don’t miss sampling Japanese sake and cider from Hirosaki City.

Feast on local delicacies (left) then explore the Tsugaru Nishiki-e (brocade pictures) in a museum in the snow.

Here are three recommended photo spots:
(1) First, there are candle-lit mini kamakura (snow domes) around the western district (Hasuike). Around 300 snow domes are arranged to create a stunning atmosphere.
(2) The second spot is the Hirosaki Snowlight venue in the northern district of the park. Get yourself a candle in a cup and place it wherever you wish. You are now being part of creating the venue atmosphere.
(3) The third spot is the Tsugaru Nishiki-e Grand Corridor. Tsugaru's traditional Tsugaru Nishiki-e (brocade pictures) are displayed in a winding passage. You are sure to be moved by this area that looks like a museum in the snow.

Another highlight is the Sakura Illuminations in Winter, which makes the exterior moat of the park blanketed in snow look as if it is covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom! For sightseeing around the nearby area, we also recommend stopping by the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, an experience-based tourist facility with a Hirosaki Neputa (fan-shaped floats of warriors) theme. As mentioned, Hirosaki is a region known for its apple production, so be sure to try the wide selection of apple-based desserts.

Event Period: February (Please check the official website for the latest schedule and information.)
Location: Hirosaki Park, 036-8356 Aomori, Hirosaki, Shimoshiroganecho
Access: Around 30 minutes on foot from JR Hirosaki Station, or get on the City Circulation ¥100 Bus and get off at City Hall Bus Stop. It’s about 4 minutes on foot from there.

（2）Experience a 450-year-old historic event, the Yokote Kamakura Festival (Akita)

Take pictures of the Yokote Castle (left, back) and kamakura snow domes (right) at the Yokote Kamakura Festival.

Yokote Kamakura Festival is a local event with a history of around 450 years. It’s held in Yokote, one of the areas with the heaviest snowfall in Tohoku. The water god is enshrined in a kamakura (snow dome). At Yokote Park, where Yokote Castle (Yokote Park Observatory) stands, you can take photos of the Yokote Castle illuminations and kamakura together.

If you visit Yokote, be sure to try the local cuisine, Yokote yakisoba–thick and straight square boiled noodles with a fried egg and vegetables pickled in soy sauce.

Yokote yakisoba is a dish of thick and straight square boiled noodles with a fried egg and vegetables pickled in soy sauce.

If you would like to buy Akita souvenirs, head to Akita Furusato Village, where there are handmade traditional crafts and as many as 10,000 food items and specialty products to choose from!
※The details of the event are subject to change to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Event Period: February (Please check the official website for the latest schedule and information.)
Location: Held at Yokote Park and various other locations throughout the city
Access: About 15 minutes by car from Yokote Interchange to Yokote Park.

(3) See 10,000 candle pictures in the snow at the
Aizu Candle Festival (Fukushima)

During the Aizu Picture Candle Festival, as many as 10,000 candles are lit in different parts of Aizu-Wakamatsu City.

Aizu picture candle is a traditional craft from the Aizu-Wakamatsu area of the Fukushima Prefecture. Each Japanese candle is made of wood wax from urushi (lacquer) tree nuts then painted by a craftsman.

The Aizu Picture Candle Festival, held annually in February, was launched to save this traditional craft from disappearing. About 10,000 candles are lit in different parts of Aizu-Wakamatsu City, such as Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle (more commonly known as Tsuruga Castle) and the Nationally Designated Place of Scenic Beauty, Oyaku-en. The sight of various painted candles appearing in the snowy landscape makes for an enchanting picture.

Aizu picture candles are set up along Tsuruga Castle (left) and create pretty patterns at night (right).

You can also climb Tsuruga Castle’s tower at night during the event. Aside from the festival, we also recommend the mountain hot spring, Higashiyama Onsen, along the Yukawa Valley in the suburbs of Aizuwakamatsu City, and the Aizu Samurai Residence, which features samurai living quarters and museums.

Take a dip in the Higashiyama Onsen hot spring (left) then savor katsudon (right).

In addition, the Aizu area is famous for its hearty sauce katsudon! Don't miss this delicious dish served with rice and shredded cabbage, together with pork cutlet soaked in savory sauce on top.

Event Date: Second Friday and Saturday of February (Please check the official website for the latest schedule and information.)
Locations: Tsuruga Castle, Oya-kuen, and spots around Aizu-Wakamatsu City
Access: About 20 minutes from JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Tsuruga Castle via the Machinaka Tour Bus Haikara-san

Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.

Tohoku
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/tohoku/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Tohoku/
https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/index.html
Aomori
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/tohoku/aomori/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Aomori/
https://www.en-aomori.com/

Akita
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/tohoku/akita/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Akita/
https://stayakita.com/

Fukushima
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Fukushima/
https://fukushima.travel/

Fun Times in Winter Night! The Famous Illuminations in Hokkaido and Tohoku Region
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/solo-japan/fun-times-winter-night-famous-illuminations-hokkaido-and-tohoku-/

The Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/en/
Youtube URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWpZSFAhrBc

Yokote Kamakura
https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/attractions/detail_10012.html

Aizu Candle Festival
https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/attractions/detail_10016.html

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