One of Tohoku‘s biggest snow festivals, the Iwate snow festival showcases structures and statues crafted by over 4000 people as well as a snow-slide and snow train. There will be a chance to try warming local specialities like milk ramen and meet the locals over cups of amazake (a sweet rice wine). There are plenty of onsen in the area, so combine the festival with a soak for a true traditional experience.
See our guide on how to get from Tokyo to Tohoku.
On the shores of Lake Towada, the venue is transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland for a period of three months in winter. In previous years, the event was compressed into three weeks in February, but in the interest of […]
While most snow festivals feature man-made sculptures, the snow monsters of Zao are entirely natural. Created in rare circumstances that require specific weather and tree formation, the snow gathers in such a way that monsters are formed in the mountains. […]
Celebrated to mark the end of winter and the day before spring begins, setsubun is an age-old Japanese ceremony thought to drive evil spirits from the house. Many people dress as demons and are herded out of businesses and houses […]
One of the many traditional Setsubun festivals taking place across Japan, this one is unusual in that it features Geiko – the Kyoto version of Geisha. On the first day, there will be dance performances and bean-throwing ceremony from 1pm […]
