Akita is hot even in winter! 4 recommended winter festivals

Akita residents love festivals. The Kanto Festival is one of the three great festivals in Tohoku, and there are no ones who don't know about it. Many Akita residents say that when the Kanto Festival approaches and the music practices begin to roar blood. The fireworks in Omagari are also famous and are broadcast on television every year, and Noshiro Tanabata's "Night Castle in the Sky" is also worth watching. In this way, Akita is also a "festival spot" and it is a lively atmosphere with all the residents of the prefecture.
However, all of the above mentioned festivals are summer festivals. Is there no winter festival? That's not the case. In the cold, snowy winter of Akita, there are many festivals that warm your body and mind.

[Oga City] Namahage Shiba Lighting 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.

Link: Akita Prefecture Official Tourist Site [Akita Fan] – Namahage Shido Festival

[Yokometa City] 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.

Link: Akita Prefecture's official tourist site [Akita Fan] – Yokote Snow Festival (Kamakura)

[Yuzawa City] 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.

Link: Akita Prefecture Official Tourist Site [Akita Fan] – Inukko Festival

[Senboku City] Paper balloons raised inside the upper hinoki tree

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.

Link: Akita Prefecture's official tourist site [Akita Fan] – Paper balloons raised in Kamihinokiuchi

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.