Take part in the quirky chaos of the Mukonage and Suminuri Festival in Niigata, where recently married men get hurled into snowbanks and couples ends up smeared in ash and snow — all in the name of good fortune and winter fun.
What to expect
Every January 15, Matsunoyama Onsen hosts the Mukonage and Suminuri Festival. The Mukonage part of the ritual involves tossing newlywed grooms from the five-meter-high platform of Yakushido Shrine into the snow below. Following this, the Suminuri ceremony takes place, where participants smear a mixture of ash and snow on each other’s faces from a ceremonial fire while exchanging congratulations.
History
No one does winter quite like Niigata and Nagano, dubbed yukiguni (snow country). This region has a long history of winter traditions that are unusual to say the least. Known as Echigo Kisai or “strange festivals” of Echigo (the old name for this part of Japan), these events have been celebrated for centuries and offer a refreshing twist on the typical matsuri. For the locals, these festivals are a way of embracing the snow-filled season with humor and a bit of chaos.
The Mukonage and Suminuri Festival is one such event. The story goes that 300 years ago, a woman married against her family’s wishes. When the couple returned to her hometown, the villagers decided to make their disapproval known by hauling the groom out of bed and tossing him into the snow. Over time, it has turned into a cherished, lighthearted tradition.
The second part of the festival, the ash-smearing bit, is a gesture meant to bring good luck and health for the year ahead.
Schedule 2025
At 2 p.m., the newlywed grooms will be carried from Yumoridokoro Jiro and tossed into the snow.
From 3 p.m. married couples will smear ash mixed with snow on each other’s faces.
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Jōetsu Shinkansen for Niigata and change at Echigo-Yuzawa station. Then, take the Hokuhoku Line to Matsudai Station. From there, it’s a 20-minute taxi ride or a 25-minute bus ride to Matsunoyama Onsen.
