When it comes to Tohoku area, we would say there are Nebuta festival, antiquities, historical architectures, and various sightseeing spots that popular also among foreign travelers. There are also full nature, good Sake are enjoyable for us. We selected enjoyable events held in Tohoku area. Let us introduce below.
Traditional Culture and Historical Event.
１. All-Japan Nouhadate-No-Tsudoi ～Straw and Fire Festival～ – Feb. 10th in 2018
Source: 全日本農はだての集い
This festival is regularly held in Oshu city, Isawa-ku to reconsider about farming culture. The location is Isawa Baseball Ground. There used to be transplanting of rice seedling named 「Niwataue」 as a yearly event here, and this festival has taken over it’s culture. In ancient time, people used to work every day. It is said that the holiday used to be only 10 days from new-year-day. 「Nouhadate」 stands for the day when people restart working after those 10 days holiday. On the Nouhadate day, men twist a 24 ropes called 「Modotsu」 in early morning. Women bring small bundle of straw and plant it like the rise plants, and spread hulls of beans over to pray the full harvest. After that people eat Mochi to end up the festival. In Japan, there of culture called “Climacteric Year”. In this festival, the people who are in climacteric year pull the bale named “Fukudawara”, it is 3m of diameter and 4m of length and 8t of weight, and run up Hosakuzaka. It is the event named “Fukudawarahiki”. “Ousu Mochitsuki” is also held there. And “Fuyuzora Fireworks” can be seen over the night sky as the finale.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 10th in 2018
Open/14:30 Start/15:00
Access & Address
・Place
The Isawa baseball ground site.
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
About 25 min by car from JR Tohoku Main Line 「Mizusawa Station」
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 1 and half hour by Tohoku Main Line from Morioka Station.
・Address: 160 Kojumonji, Natsuta, Isawa-ku, Oshu-shi, Iwate
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free.
No need to reserve.
Official Website
http://www.mizusawa-kankou.sakura.ne.jp/mlen/index.html
2. Folk Arts Meeting – Feb 10th in 2018.
Source: 仙台人が仙台観光をしてるブログ
「Minzoku Geino No Tsudoi」 ,Folk Arts Meeting in English, is held every year to preserve, hand down and publish Intangible folk cultural assets for area rehabilitation. They usually introduce some folk arts that has been handed down in Sendai city. The location of this meeting is Miyaginoku Cultural Center. In 2018, 4 groups such as “Sakakiryusei”, “Fukuoka Shishiodori・Kenbu”, “Yumoto No Taueodori (National UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)”, “Hanamachi Kagura” will show their acting with all their might to celebrate 450th birthday of Masamune Date who used to be the general of Sendai.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 10th in 2018
Open/13:00～ Start/13:30～
Access & Address
・Place
Miyaginoku Cultural Center
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
Just nearby JR Senseki Line 「Rikuzenharanomachi Station」
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 6 min by JR Senseki Line from Sendai Station.
・Address: 2-12-70, Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.
Official Website
3. Namahage Sedo Festival – Feb. 9th ～ 11th in 2018
Source: 男鹿のナマハゲ
「Namahage Sedo Festival」 is one of the Michinoku 5 biggest Snow Festival. It is the typical festival of winter season in Kitaura, Oga-shi, Akita. Held at Shinzan shrine in every February on second Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This festival has been established by combining “Saito Festival” and “Namahage”. Saito Festival has over 900 year history and held on Jan. 3rd every year. We should be attracted by Namahage’s lively and soul‐stirring dance performance performed in front of fire in Shinzan shrine. The origin is the “Snow Festival” held in Kitaurayumoto Hoshitsuji Shrine to liven up the sightseeing industry of Oga Hot Springs. It is mystical scene that Nahamage walk down the mountain with torch in finale. During the festival season, the extra buses will be operated for visitors.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 9th ～ 11th in 2018
18:00～20:30
Access & Address
・Place
Shinzan Shrine
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
About 25 min walk from 「Shinzan」 bus stop.
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 3 hours by walk, bus and train from Akita Station.
・Address: 97, Mizukuisawa, Kitaura Shinzan, Ojika-shi, Akita
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.
Official Website
4. Yamagata Kyureki Hatsuichi – Feb. 25th ～ 26th in 2018
Source: 山形観光協会公式ウェブサイト
「Yamagata Kyureki Hatsuichi」will be held at Bunshokanmae Plaza to represent the spring season. There is traditional Dango tree that could feel old life atmosphere. Dango Tree is a spray of willow tree decollated with colorful rice cracker shaping a ball. It is also called “Mochihana”. In old days, people used to cook rice dumpling (Dango) by themselves and skewer by Dango tree. In addition, there are some woodwork shops and household goods shops standing in a market place. A lot of travelers visit this market. Bunshokan where Yamagata Kyureki Hatsuichi is held is the name of facility that restore The National Important Cultural Property「Yamagata Kyukenchosha and Kenkaigijido」 in central of Yamagata city. The official name is 「Yamagata Kyoudokan」. You should see the light-up illumination from sunset time till 21:00.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 25th ～ 26th in 2018
10:00～16:00（the time would be changed depending on the situation）
Access & Address
・Place
Bunshokanmae Hiroba (Plaza)
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
1 min walk from 「Shiyakusho (City Hall) Mae」 bus stop by Sanko bus.
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 1 hour and 20 min by bus from Yamagata station.
・Address: 3-4-51, Hatagomachi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.
Official Website
5.＜Fukushima＞Aizue Rosoku Festival～Yukihotaru～ – Feb. 9th ～10th in 2018.
Source: ふくラボ！
Aizu traditional 「Aizue Rosoku Festival」 is held with about 10,000 of candles in the symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu, 「Tsuruga Castle」 and Aizu Fedudal lord Matsudaira’s garden, 「Oyakuen」. 「Aizu Rosoku (candle)」is one of the Aizu traditional crafts. Colorful chrysanthemum and peony are painted on them. The scenery of natural and kind fires burning on 10,000 of candles are so mystical and beautiful. During the festival period, we are allowed to enter the Tsuruga Castle even at night. The most recommended is the view from castle towers. The geoglyph drawn by the fire of candles are spreads in front of and just below us. In Oyakuen, we can enjoy the beautiful melody of Koto (Japanese harp) and flute that create the world of delicate beauty. Furthermore, we can write our name and the wish on a candle and light a fire for 500 yen. During the period, Machinaka Yuen bus 「HAIKARASAN」 will irregularly serve longer operation at night time.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 9th ～ 10th in 2018
17:30 pm ～ 21:00 pm
Access & Address
・Place
Tsuruga Castle, Oyakuen and each place of the city.
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
Just nearby 「Tsuruga Castle Entrance」 bus stop by Yuen bus.
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 1 and half hours by bus from Koriyama Station.
・Address: 1-1, Otemachi, Aizu Wakamatsu-shi, Fukushima
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.
Official Website
Nature Event
6. Aomori Yukiakari Festival – Feb. 2nd ～ 4th in 2018
Source: 全国観るナビ
「Aomori Yukiakari Festival」is citizen-participation and hand-made type of event with light of candle. The beautiful fire on the candles that citizens there made over a week are dancing in the cold and clean air. It is so beautiful. During the event period, we can enjoy 「WISH CANDLE」 that we can write our wish on candle holder. Let’s enjoy this dreaming scenery and atmosphere that is very the snow country, Aomori. The event schedule might be changed depending on the weather condition.
The location is 「Nebuta House Wa-Rasse」. It is the facility that introduce the whole history and attractive point of Nebuta Festival. It opens all year round. In Nebuta Hall, there are displays of huge Nebuta and each parts of Nebuta that acted on the festival day. And historical document for Nebuta Festival is also displayed at Nebuta Museum. We can also enjoy purchasing Aomori’s specialty and folk crafts goods in each shops there.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 2nd (Fri) ～ 4th（Sun）, 3days.
5：00 pm ～ 9：00 pm
Access & Address
・Place
Nebuta House Wa・Rasse West Plaza
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
About 1 min walk from Aomori Station JR.
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 7 min by Ou Main Train and walk from Shin Aomori Station.
・Address: 1-1-1, Yasukata, Aomori-shi, Aomori
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.
Official Website
http://www.city.aomori.aomori.jp
7. 「Yukigunishi Fubuki Experience」 Program – Each Saturday between Jan. 21st ~ Feb. 11th in 2018
Source: アプティネット
「Yukigunichi Fubuki (Snow Country Snowstorm) Experience Program」 is the regular and unique event in winter season of Aomori that allow us to experience the sightseeing around Aomori･Tsugaru City with snowstorm. We can see the snow that has already piled up on the ground stir up by the strong wind. It is Tsugaru-famous phenomenon called 「Jifubuki」. Snowstorm is also said to be trouble maker in Tsugaru. In this program, we can enjoy mountain climbing with wearing Tsugaru’s old costumes Monpe, Kadomaki and Kanjiki. Kadomaki is big square shawl that made of wool fabric. We fold it into trigone shape and slip it over our head. It would protect us from coldness and snow and usually used by women from Tohoku district. Let’s have this valuable experience of extreme cold winter in Okutsugaru.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Each Saturday between Jan. 21st ~ Feb. 11th in 2018
Access & Address
・Place
Tsugaru Railway Kanagi Station
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
Just nearby Tsugaru Railway 「Kanagi Station」
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 2 hours and 25 min by walk and train from Shin Aomori Station.
・Address: Kanagi-cho, Goshogawara-shi, Aomori
・Map
Price & Reservation
Adult: 2500 yen
Children (younger than elementary school students): 500 yen
Need to reserve before 3 days of your visit
Official Website
none
Modern Art Event.
8. Morioka Yukiakari 2018 – Feb. 8th ~ 10th in 2018
Source: flickr
There is 「Morioka Yukiakari」 event in Morioka city that allow us enjoy the fantastic world decollated with warm fire on candles and beautiful snow. It will be held mainly in Morioka Castle Site Park Shibafu (Green) Plaza and Morioka History and Culture Hall Plaza, and in another about 10 each locations of the city. 「Yukiakari (Snow Candle)」 that candles in small Kamakura (Snow igloo) and snow sculpture will be displayed in the event. These will made by citizen volunteers. 「Yukiakari Art Contest」 will be also held. Though event will start from 17:00 pm, it’s also good to visit early and go to history and culture hall. Morioka History and Culture Hall has been established since July in 2011. We can see the Morioka’s sightseeing spots and traditional cultures on the first floor, historical establishment process of Morioka downtown and the historical documents about Morioka’s old Feudal Lord, Nanbu-ke on upstairs. You should be able to know better about Morioka city.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 8th ~ 10th in 2018
Light up time: 5：00 pm ～ 8：00 pm（expectation）
Access & Address
・Place
Morioka Castle Site Park Green Plaza
Morioka History and Culture Hall Plaza
And another locations.
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
About 20 min walk from Morioka Station.
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 20 min walk from Morioka Station.
・Address: 1-37, Uchimaru, Morioka-shi, Iwate
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.
Official Website
http://www.odette.or.jp/moriokayukiakari/
The event that allow us to enjoy with our children.
9. Yokote Snow Festival Kamakura – Feb. 15th ~ 16th in 2018
Source: flickr
「Yokote Snow Festival」 is held in between January and February every year in Tohoku district, Akita Yokote city. We can experience of making 「Kamakura (Japanese Snow Igloo)」, 「Bonden (big event that people dedicate festival’s stuffs to the god of a shrine)」. 「Kamakura」 has 450 year of history. It used to be made around snow area of Japan in New Year’s Day to enshrine the god. People get in a Kamakura and dedicate a money offering to the water god enshrined in it praying for the well-being of the family, business success, rich harvest. 「Bonden」 is the festival that has handed down in this area for 300 years. As long as 5 m of huge ritual article are dedicated in this festival. The men head to Asahi Okayama Shrine while competing in luxury of decollation of Bonden each other. It would be magnificent view. During the festival, about 100 of Kamakuras are illuminated with lamp.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 15th (Thu) ~ 16th (Fri) in 2018
6：00 pm ～ 9：00 pm
Access & Address
・Place
Iwate City Hall Main Office Street Park
Futaba-Cho Kamakura Street
Haguromachi Bukeyashiki Street
Yokote Park
Yokote East
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
10 min walk from Yokote Station.
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 1hour and 10 min by Ou Main Train from Akita Station.
・Address: 7-9, Chuo-machi, Yokote-shi, Akita
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.
Official Website
http://www.yokotekamakura.com/
Traditional Festival
10. Kaminoyamashi Minzokugyouji Kishu 「Kasedori」 – Feb. 11th in 2018
Source: CLIP 山形
In Kaminoyama hot spring has a traditional and ethnic festival named 「Kasedori」 that has handed down to this area since about 1603～1691. Kasedori is quite unique event in Kaminoyama district. On every year of Feb. 11th, young people wearing 「KENDAI」 dance and sing saying like “Kasedori, Kasedori, Oiwaida! Kakkakka-no-kakkakka” and go around the city. KENDAI is the Mino used for rain wear. In each house, they prepare a pail and pour water over Kasedori for rich harvest and business success. There are old tradition for young woman that when they pick straw thrown off of Kasedori and do up their hair, they would have black and beautiful hair.
Schedule
・Date and Time
・Each Event’s Schedule
Feb. 11th in 2018
10:00 am ～ 15:30 pm
Access & Address
・Place
Kaminoyama Castle Plaza ～ City
・Closest station’s name, the transportation and the time required from the station to get there.
About 10 min walk from 「Kaminoyama Onsen Station」.
・The terminal station’s name and the time required from the terminal station to get there.
About 20min by JR Ou Main Train from yamagata Station.
・Address: 3-7, Motojonai, Kaminoyama-shi, Yamagata
・Map
Price & Reservation
Free
No need to reserve.