Yokote: Town of Kamakura Snow Houses

The Yokote Kamakura Festival is a long-standing snow-country tradition here in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture.

The kamakura or snow houses of Yokote, which is one of a small number of heavy-snowfall areas even in Japan's snow country, boast a 450-year tradition--such that they are now an indispensable winter event in the snow country region. This festival began with a traditional Lunar New Year event where people would come to pray to Suijin, water god of the Shinto tradition, for the safety of their homes and families, prosperity in business, bumper crops, and more.

Held every year from February 15th-16th amidst the magical atmosphere of winter snow, the festival features 100-plus snow houses in the city. The kamakura snow houses are large enough to fit four to five people inside. Children call out from the inside for people to enter, offering guests amazake (sweet sake), rice cakes, and more. People forget the time, passing the night with storytelling. Bruno Taut, a German architect who visited the area in 1936, was inspired by the simple beauty of Japan's snow country to write his book entitled "Rediscovering Japanese Beauty."

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