Hey Everyone,
It is that time of year! Snow and the month of February bring a great deal of excellent Akita Snow Festivals. Below I've highlighted some of the big ones but please reply with local festivals that you know of as well.
The roads will be crazy during times in which there is a festival taking place near you. Be safe, plan ahead, and most importantly have a great time enjoying many of these festivals.
Feb. 10 (Daisen, Kariwano) Giant Tug a War Festivalhttp://www.akitajet.com/wiki/index.php? ... .26_EventsFestival starts at 7pm, rope pulling begins at 9.
Feb. 10 (Senboku, Nishiki) Kamifuusen (Paper balloon Festival) http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/en/sig ... uusen.htmlOne of the most stunning festivals I have ever been too. Starts around 5:40 (aisatsu) and balloons start at 6:00pm and end around 8:30.
Oga: Namahage Festival Feb. 12, 13, & 14Time 6:00-7:40pm, Good fun. The museum is also pretty good, especially if your Japanese is up for it. Though the movie in the museum transcends any need of language whatsoever.
Feb. 13, 14 (Senboku) Kakunodate: Hifuri Kamakura (Fire Spinning Festival)http://akitajet.com/wiki/index.php?title=Senboku_CityCool festival, you can actually spin huge masses of fire by ropes. Festival is from 6:30-8pm, I am told.
Feb. 13, 14 Yuzawa: Inukko Matsuri (Snow Dog Festivals)http://akitajet.com/wiki/index.php?title=Yuzawa_CityI used to live in Yuzawa, it's an excellent place. They have the best Miso Ramen that I have ever eaten at a place called Daigen Ramen. The Inukko Matsuri is another fun festival. They build big snow dogs, snow shrines and a couple of sculptures. They also do fireworks in the evening, though I can't recall on what evening. Well worth the trip too.
Also worth noting: Ogachi Town (Southern Yuzawa City) usually has a snow festival during one day of the Inukko Festival. A great side trip if you are in the area. Pat or another Yuzawa JET, do you know the date of this festival?
Feb. 13, 14 Odate: Amekko Matsuri (Candy Festival)http://akitajet.com/wiki/index.php?title=Odate_CityI have never been but the candy apparently allows one not to have a cold for the rest of the year.
February 15 & 16 Yokote Kamakura Festivalhttp://www.akitajet.com/wiki/index.php? ... a_FestivalVery Famous Festival. Eat Mochi in the Kamakura. Celebrate the water. The mini kamakura by the river are also fun and worth a look.
February 15th (Misato, Rokugo) Takeuchi festival (Bamboo fighting festival)http://akitajet.com/wiki/index.php?titl ... i_FestivalWant to see a crazy festival. Here's one worth watching! If you decide to join the fight, look out for the guy with the red cape!
