When Japan’s northeastern Tohoku (東北) region is blanketed in deep snow during winter, it transforms into a magical wonderland of snowy landscapes, vibrant lights, and unique traditions. Known as Michinoku (みちのく) in ancient times, Tohoku transforms its heavy snowfall and long winter nights into a celebration of culture and creativity through its winter festivals.
In this article, we’ll explore the region’s top five snow festivals, known collectively as the “Michinoku Five Great Snow Festivals” (みちのく五大雪まつり Michinoku Godai Yuki Matsuri), which highlight the region’s charm, history, and artistry!
① Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival | Aomori Prefecture
Hirosaki City (弘前市), famed for its cherry blossoms in spring, hosts a winter delight in Hirosaki Castle Park. With a history dating back to 1977, the Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival (弘前城雪燈籠まつり Hirosaki-jо̄ Yuki-dо̄rо̄ Matsuri) features hand-carved snow lanterns, illuminated neputa float designs, and projection mapping on snow sculptures.
Visitors can marvel at mini igloos glowing with candles, large snow replicas of historical buildings, slide down a giant snow slide, watch vibrant winter fireworks, and more!
If you miss the festival dates, the park offers a “snow sakura” experience in the evenings from December to February. Snow-covered trees are illuminated with pink lights to mimic cherry blossoms in the snowy landscape, creating an enchanting sight.
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (弘前城雪燈籠まつり)
Date: 7–11 February 2025
Venue: Hirosaki Castle Park
Access: From JR Hirosaki Station (弘前駅), take the Dotemachi Loop bus to Shiyakushomae Bus Stop, and walk 5 minutes to Hirosaki Castle Park.
② Hachinohe Enburi Festival | Aomori Prefecture
In eastern Aomori’s Hachinohe City (八戸市), the Hachinohe Enburi Festival (八戸えんぶり Hachinohe Enburi) blends winter charm with prayers for bountiful harvests in the coming year.
With a history tracing back about 800 years, the festival’s highlight are the dancers―tayū (太夫) ―who don elaborate horse-neck-shaped hats and perform unique dance moves symbolising farming tasks.
Between these energetic performances, children’s delightful shukufukumai dances add joy to the event. With the enburi dance designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, the festival beautifully connects winter’s end with hopes for a fruitful year.
Hachinohe Enburi Festival (八戸えんぶり)
Date: 17–20 February 2025
Venue: Various locations around Hachinohe City, with the bonfire enburi dances held at the open square in front of Hachinohe City Hall (八戸市庁本館前市民広場)
Access: The open square is a 7-minute walk from JR Hon-Hachinohe Station (本八戸駅)
③ Yokote Kamakura Festival | Akita Prefecture
Over in the neighbouring Akita Prefecture, Yokote City (横手市) embraces its heavy snowfall with the Yokote Kamakura Festival or the Yokote Winter Festival (横手の雪まつり Yokote no yuki-matsuri), a festival with a 450-year-old history that is held annually on 15–16 February. Snow huts, or kamakura (かまくら), are the highlight, with altars inside dedicated to the water deity.
Around 100 kamakura dot the city, while countless mini kamakura light up the snowy evenings with candles, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Visitors can even try building their own kamakura, adding a personal touch to this unique celebration.
Yokote Kamakura Festival (横手の雪まつり)
Date: 15–16 February 2025
Venue: Various sites around Yokote City, including the Yokote City Hall Main Government Office (横手市役所本庁舎前) and Yokote Park (横手公園)
Access: 10-minute walk from JR Yokote Station (横手駅)
④ Namahage Sedo Festival | Akita Prefecture
In Oga City (男鹿市) in Akita’s Oga Peninsula, the Namahage Sedo Festival (なまはげ柴灯まつり Namahage Sedo Matsuri) brings a dramatic twist to winter festivities.
Held annually for three days during the week of the second Saturday in February at the Shinzan Shrine (真山神社), it combines Shinto rituals with the folklore of namahage (なまはげ)—ogre-like deities who visit during the New Year encourage diligence and good behaviour. During the New Year, villagers dress up as namahage and go around the community to caution people—a practice which in 2018 was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The festival’s centrepiece is the fiery namahage dance, performed before a roaring bonfire and captivating visitors with its intensity and vigour. Don’t forget to appease the namahage with grilled rice cakes!
Namahage Sedo Festival (なまはげ柴灯まつり)
Date: 7-9 February 2025
Venue: Shinzan Shrine
Access: Take the special bus service (¥1,000/adult for a 1-day unlimited ride bus pass) from JR Oga Station (男鹿駅). The bus only operates during the festival dates.
⑤ Iwate Snow Festival | Iwate Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture’s largest winter festival for many years, the Iwate Snow Festival (いわて雪まつり Iwate Yuki Matsuri) was renowned for its intricate snow and ice sculptures, illuminated with vibrant lights. Visitors could enjoy activities like snow slides, sleigh rides, and Genghis Khan lamb-grilling inside igloos.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and warmer temperatures from global warming leading to insufficient snowfall in recent years, the Iwate Snow Festival was permanently cancelled, with the last edition held in 2020.
Its successor event is the Shizukuishi Winter Festival (雫石冬フェスタ Shizukuishi Fuyu Fesuta)—held at Koiwai Farm Makibaen—which continues to showcase Iwate’s winter charm with engaging activities and stunning winter scenery.
Shizukuishi Winter Festival (雫石冬フェスタ)
Date: 25 January–16 February 2025
Venue: Koiwai Farm Makibaen
Access: 10-minute ride from JR Koiwai Station (小岩井駅), or a 30-minute ride from JR Morioka Station (盛岡駅)
Winter fun with JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)!
If you are visiting the Michinoku region and Tohoku, check out the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), an affordable pass offering unlimited rail travel on JR East lines (including bullet trains) in the valid area for 5 consecutive days at only ¥30,000. You can also make seat reservations for bullet trains, some limited express trains and Joyful Trains online for free, up to 1 month in advance, on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
Furthermore, if you’d like to make your purchase of a JR EAST PASS even more value-for-money, JAPAN RAIL CLUB is now running a special discount campaign for all omiyage box subscribers! Simply purchase a 3, 6, or 12-month membership plan and you’ll be entitled to 15% OFF all purchases of the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) and JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) made on our website.
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) can be used for automatic ticket gates, and foreign passport holders living in Japan are also eligible to use this pass.
Header image credit: 弘前観光コンベンション協会, 青森県, and 秋田県観光連盟
