[Fukushima Prefecture] Enjoy the winter in Fukushima! 3 recommended winter festivals!

In Fukushima Prefecture, we recommend the winter festivals in the Aizu region, where there is a lot of snow.

Among these, we would like to introduce three snow festivals where you can spend a snowy night wrapped in a beautiful yet solemn atmosphere, with the faint light of candles illuminating the piled snow in a fantastical way.

At the Snow Festival, there are various experiences and events during the day, and you can enjoy B-class gourmet and local cuisine at food and beverage stalls, as well as fireworks and other events to enjoy the festival.

Aizu Picture Candle Festival (Aizuwakamatsu City)

Picture candles and Tsuruga Castle Source: Superb Scenic Views Superlative Aizu Tourism Materials Library

`` Aizu picture candles '' are one of Aizu's traditional crafts, handmade by craftsmen, and are decorated with flowers such as chrysanthemums, peonies, and wisteria in bright colors, and have a history of about 500 years.

Handmade andon Source: Superb Scenic Spots - Superb Aizu Tourism Materials Library

The first festival was held in 2000, and the citizens of Aizuwakamatsu made handmade andon lanterns to put picture candles in, making the festival even more exciting.

Yukihotaru given to the public was said to be a metaphor for the light from a candle as a firefly.

In 2025, it will be held for two days, February 7th (Friday) and February 8th (Saturday).

Elaborately designed picture candles are lit at each venue in the city.

Bamboo tube at Oyakuen Garden Source: Fukushima tourism information site “Fukushima Travel” tourism photo library

There are two main venues: the "quiet" Oyakuen Garden and the "moving" Tsuruga Castle. At the Oyakuen Garden, a fantastical scenery spreads out, such as a heart-shaped pond surrounded by bamboo tubes lit with picture candles.

Tsuruga Castle illuminated Source: Fukushima tourism information site “Fukushima Travel” tourism photo library

In addition, at Tsuruga Castle, picture candles are lit in Aizu Hongo ware lanterns and Aizu lacquered candlesticks, as well as handmade lanterns made by local residents, creating a stunning contrast with the illuminated castle tower.

You can climb up to the castle tower for a fee and get a great view of the venue below.

You can also enjoy the unique light of picture candles at Aizuwakamatsu Station, Kitademaru Dori (near the ruins of Saigo Yorimo's residence), Nanokamachi Dori, Hideyo Noguchi Seishun Dori, Omachi Dori, and Inishie Yume Kaido.

Aizu Picture Candle Festival <Information>

  • Name: Aizu Picture Candle Festival
  • Event period: February 7th (Friday) to February 8th (Saturday), 2025 (Reiwa 7)
  • Venue: Aizuwakamatsu City (Tsurugajo, Oyakuen, Aizuwakamatsu Station, Kitademaru Street, Nanokamachi Street, Hideyo Noguchi Seishun Street, Omachi Street, Inishie Yume Kaido)
  • Contact: Aizu Picture Candle Festival Executive Committee
  • Phone number: 0242-23-4141
  • URL: Aizu Picture Candle Festival Official Website

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Ouchijuku Snow Festival (Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District)

Ouchi-juku buried in snow Source: Fukushima tourism information site “Fukushima Travel” tourism photo library

Ouchi-juku, an old post town that remains intact and has been designated as a nationally important group of traditional buildings, is buried in deep snow during the winter, when the thatched-roof houses that line the old road are buried in deep snow.

Snow lanterns at Ouchi-juku Source: Fukushima tourism information site “Fukushima Travel” tourism photo library

snow lanterns handmade by local residents are lined up along this road , and at night, the candles are lit to make the post town look fainter.

Additionally, kamakura huts have been built in front of the shops in the post town, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of a snowy country.

Fireworks over Ouchi-juku Source: Fukushima tourism information site “Fukushima Travel” tourism photo library

In addition, large fireworks are set off in the stillness of the snowy night, illuminating the snow-covered townscape of the post town with a loud roar echoing through the mountains.

The 39th Ouchi-juku Snow Festival will be held on February 8th (Saturday) and February 9th (Sunday), 2025 (Reiwa 7), and the illumination will begin on the 7th (Friday).

Japan's best dango holder

``Dango sashi'' is a decoration in which colorful dango and decorations made from glutinous rice flour are stuck on the branches of a dogwood tree, and is a small New Year offering in the Aizu region to pray for a good harvest and good health.

In Ouchi-juku, after the opening ceremony of the snow festival, all the residents come together to decorate a large dogwood tree with dango, calling it ``Japan's best dango sashimi.''

They are made from ordinary sticky rice that cannot be sold, and after being displayed as offerings, they are baked or fried, sprinkled with sugar, and eaten as a snack that children will enjoy.

There are many events during the day

In addition to dango sashimi, other events include Gushimochi

A store in a private house with the atmosphere of a post town Source: Fukushima tourism information site “Fukushima no Tabi” tourism photo library

In addition, many of the houses in the post town double as residences and shops, and you can enjoy local cuisine such as ``Atsuage Dengaku'', ``Egomamiso'', and ``Buckwheat Flour Tempura Manju''.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT
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Ouchi-juku is the number one tourist spot in Fukushima prefecture. The scenery, which has not changed since ancient times, is attractive. The retro atmosphere that makes you feel as if you have traveled back in time to the Edo period is very popular among young people! What is Ouchi-juku? Ouchi-juku in early summer Ouchi-juku, located in Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture, is a post town established around 1640. At that time, the Aizu Nishi Kaido road leading to Nikko was used as an important transportation route. At that time, Yamamoto Village, which was located along the road, became its predecessor. It flourished as a post town for many feudal lords and travelers. The townscape lined with thatched roof buildings was designated as an important traditional building in 1981...
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Ouchi-juku Snow Festival＜Information＞

  • Name: Ouchi-juku Snow Festival
  • Event period: February 8th (Saturday) to February 9th (Sunday), 2025 (Reiwa 7)
  • Venue: Ouchi-juku (Ouchi, Shimogo-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture)
  • Contact: Ouchi-juku Tourism Association
  • Phone number: 0241-68-3611
  • URL: Ouchi-juku Tourism Association official website

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Urabandai Snow Festival Night Fantasy (Kitashiobara Village, Yama District)

Candles neatly arranged on the ice of the swamp Source: Lake Bandai Tourism Materials Library

This night fantasy was started by taking advantage of the fact that the Renge Swamp near the Urabandai Site Station freezes over in the winter, and is a ``Forest Station'' where you can take a break and provide trekking information in Urabandai.

3,000 candles are lit all over the ice of Renge Swamp, creating a fantastic sight.

Path of Light Source: Lake Bandai Tourism Materials Library

light trail from the site station to the marsh , and fireworks are set off into the night sky, brightening the candle-lit ice with colorful lights.

Source: Lake Urabandai Tourism Materials Library

During the Urabandai Snow Festival Night Fantasy, various experiences such as "snowshoe trekking" and concert events are planned.

Visitors lighting candles Source: Lake Bandai Tourism Materials Library

Hot food and drinks will be provided at the food stall village set up at the venue, and visitors can participate in the candle lighting ceremony on the day without pre-registration (first-come, first-served basis).

Urabandai Snow Festival Night Fantasy <Information>

  • Name: Urabandai Snow Festival Night Fantasy
  • Event period: Saturday, February 15, 2025 (Reiwa 7)
  • Venue: Urabandai Site Station (Renge Swamp: Hinohara, Kitashiobara Village, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture)
  • Contact: Urabandai Tourism Association
  • Phone number: 0241-32-2349 (9:00-17:00)
  • URL: Urabandai Tourism Association official website

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summary

In February in the Aizu region, in addition to the ones introduced in this article, the following winter festivals are held around the same time, so it is recommended that you enjoy them as well.

Please note that some of these winter festivals have yet to announce their dates for this season.

Please check the official websites below before heading out.

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