Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival

The Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival is a traditional event in Akita Prefecture with a history spanning approximately 450 years. Held annually on February 15 and 16, the festival features over 100 large snow huts, or kamakura, and thousands of miniature versions illuminated by candles throughout Yokote City. Originally a ritual to honor the water deity (Suijin), the festival now serves as a major cultural attraction. Inside the larger structures, local children invite visitors to share amazake (sweet non-alcoholic rice wine) and grilled mochi while offering prayers for a bountiful harvest and safety.

The festival is concentrated in several areas, including the city center and Yokote Park, where the snow huts are set against the backdrop of the local castle. For visitors, the most important consideration is footwear; paths can be extremely slippery, so boots with high-traction soles or attachable ice cleats are highly recommended. While the event is spread out, a free loop shuttle bus operates between the main venues, facilitating travel in sub-zero temperatures. To fully experience the hospitality of the kamakura, it is customary to offer a small prayer at the Suijin altar inside the hut before accepting food or drink. Additionally, those wishing to photograph the fields of mini-kamakura along the river should arrive at the Janosaki Bridge shortly before dusk to secure a vantage point.