Yokote Kamakura Festival
Snow FestivalTohoku(Akita)
Annual eventDates
—
Venue
Yokote City Center & Yokote Castle Area
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
CrowdedRelated guides for stays, meals, workspaces, and art stops around a festival trip.
Tohoku(Akita)
Annual eventDates
—
Venue
Yokote City Center & Yokote Castle Area
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
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The Yokote Kamakura Festival is a 450-year-old tradition where hundreds of igloo-like snow houses (kamakura) are built throughout the city, each containing a small altar to the water deity Suijin. Children inside the kamakura offer amazake (sweet rice wine) and mochi to visitors. The miniature kamakura along the riverbank, lit by candles, create a magical nighttime scene.
Yokote Kamakura Festival takes place from 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-16.
Yokote Kamakura Festival is held at Yokote City Center & Yokote Castle Area in Akita, Japan.
Use the official website for Yokote Kamakura Festival to confirm the latest schedule, tickets, route changes, weather notices, and cancellation updates: https://www.yokotekamakura.com/.
Yes, Yokote Kamakura Festival is free to attend.
The admission fee for Yokote Kamakura Festival is ¥0.
The crowd level at Yokote Kamakura Festival is typically high.
Yes, Yokote Kamakura Festival is held annually.
Yokote Kamakura Festival is a snow festival in Japan.
Highlights of Yokote Kamakura Festival include: Hundreds of snow kamakura sheltering water deity altars, served with amazake and mochi; Thousands of miniature candle-lit kamakura along the Yokote River creating a fairytale landscape; 450-year-old tradition offering warm hospitality inside snow houses.
Tips for Yokote Kamakura Festival: The evening candle-lit miniature kamakura (18:00-21:00) are the highlight — arrive before sunset. Accept the amazake and mochi offered by children in the kamakura; it's part of the tradition. Temperatures can drop below -10°C, so heavy winter gear is essential..
Yokote Kamakura Festival welcomes international visitors. It is a great way to experience Japanese culture.
Access information for Yokote Kamakura Festival: JR Yokote Station (Ou Main Line), 15-minute walk to the main kamakura area. From Akita Station, take JR Ou Main Line to Yokote (approx. 50 min)..
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Tips: The evening candle-lit miniature kamakura (18:00-21:00) are the highlight — arrive before sunset. Accept the amazake and mochi offered by children in the kamakura; it's part of the tradition. Temperatures can drop below -10°C, so heavy winter gear is essential..
Photography is generally welcome at Yokote Kamakura Festival. Check specific rules at the venue.
Yokote Kamakura Festival is a family-friendly festival that visitors of all ages can enjoy.
Festival food stalls (yatai) at Yokote Kamakura Festival typically serve popular Japanese street food including yakisoba, takoyaki, and kakigori. Some festivals feature regional specialties.
Yes, wearing a yukata (casual kimono) is very common and encouraged at Yokote Kamakura Festival. Many visitors rent yukata nearby.
Parking can be limited during Yokote Kamakura Festival. Public transportation is recommended. Check access details: JR Yokote Station (Ou Main Line), 15-minute walk to the main kamakura area. From Akita Station, take JR Ou Main Line to Yokote (approx. 50 min)..
Hundreds of snow kamakura sheltering water deity altars, served with amazake and mochi; Thousands of miniature candle-lit kamakura along the Yokote River creating a fairytale landscape; 450-year-old tradition offering warm hospitality inside snow houses
JR Yokote Station (Ou Main Line), 15-minute walk to the main kamakura area. From Akita Station, take JR Ou Main Line to Yokote (approx. 50 min).
The evening candle-lit miniature kamakura (18:00-21:00) are the highlight — arrive before sunset. Accept the amazake and mochi offered by children in the kamakura; it's part of the tradition. Temperatures can drop below -10°C, so heavy winter gear is essential.
📍 Yokote City Center & Yokote Castle Area