Akita is hot even in winter! 4 recommended winter festivals

Akita people love festivals.
There is probably no one who does not know that the Kanto Festival is one of the three major festivals in Tohoku. Many Akita residents get excited when they hear ohayashi practicing as the Kanto Festival approaches. The Omagari fireworks are so famous that they are broadcast on TV every year, and the Noshiro Tanabata ``Fleet Castle in the Sky'' is also worth seeing. As you can see, Akita is also a place for festivals, and everyone in the prefecture gets excited. However, all of the festivals mentioned so far are summer festivals. That is not to say that there are no winter festivals. During Akita's cold and snowy winter, there are many festivals that will warm your heart and soul.

Namahage Saito Festival

Many people may be familiar with Namahage. This festival is a combination of the Shinto ritual ``Seibatsusai'' and the Namahage folk event.The Namahage perform a fierce dance under the lanterns in the precincts of Mayama Shrine in Oga City. The wild dance is powerful and captivates the viewers.

Photo by Akita Prefecture Tourism Federation / Size-adapted.

Yokote Snow Festival (Kamakura)

The god of water is enshrined in a kamakura, and children call out to passers-by, saying, ``I'm in,'' and serve sweet sake and baked rice cakes. Interacting with the locals while eating sweet sake and mochi will warm your heart.

Photo by Akita Prefecture Tourism Federation / Size-adapted.

dog festival

This is a festival in the Yuzawa region where dogs are offered to a snowy temple to pray for protection against theft. This festival is also famous for dog lovers coming from all over the country with their dogs, as there is also a festival to pray for beloved dogs. This festival is recommended for dog lovers, as many dogs, including Akita Inu, gather together. The dog statue made of snow is also very cute.

Photo by Akita Prefecture Tourism Federation / Size-adapted.

Paper balloon raising by Kiuchi Kamihinoki

The sight of giant paper balloons with pictures of warriors and beautiful women being lit on fire and flying up into the night sky is beautiful and fantastic. The sight of countless paper balloons floating up in the night sky while glowing is also called "winter fireflies." It's very romantic, so it's recommended to watch with your partner.

Photo by Akita Prefecture Tourism Federation / Size-adapted.

In addition to these, there are many other interesting winter festivals in Akita. A hot festival in a cold, snowy country. Please come and experience it for yourself.