Yokote Kamakura Festival
Snow FestivalTohoku(Akita)
Annual eventDates
—
Venue
Yokote City Center & Yokote Castle Area
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
Crowded
Photos
Snow hut festival in Akita where visitors enjoy mochi and amazake inside igloos.
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.
At a Glance
- Type
- Snow Festival
- Dates
- 2026-02-15 – 2026-02-16
- Venue
- Yokote City Center & Yokote Castle Area
- Status
- Ended
- Crowd Level
- Crowded
- Admission
- Free
- Annual event
- Annual
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I confirm the official status of Yokote Kamakura Festival?
Use the official source for the latest schedule, route changes, and cancellation updates: https://www.yokotekamakura.com/.
What is the current status of Yokote Kamakura Festival?
The current listing status is ended. Last checked: 2026-03-10.
How crowded is Yokote Kamakura Festival?
The typical crowd level is high.
What are the highlights of Yokote Kamakura Festival?
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
Highlights
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
Access
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).
Tips for Visitors
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.
Location
📍 Yokote City Center & Yokote Castle Area
