Yokote Snow Festival 2026: Snow Huts and Winter Traditions

Yokote Snow Festival History

Photo by Pixta
The Yokote Snow Festival is held annually from January to February in Akita Prefecture's Yokote City, located in the Tohoku region. Not only can you step inside traditional kamakura igloos, but you can also witness the dedication ritual of the sacred bonden.

For about 450 years, local communities have built kamakura around the Lunar New Year to honor the water deity. Inside each small snow hut, people place offerings, pray for household safety, business success, and abundant harvests, and receive amaeko (sweet sake). The bonden ceremony complements this practice: neighborhoods parade ornate five‑meter poles to Asahiokayama Shrine, competing to create the most impressive headdress before presenting their bonden.

Photo by Pixta

Yokote’s kamakura custom originally emerged from two distinct winter rites that reflected the town’s social geography. In the inner town, samurai households held Sagicho bonfire ceremonies—constructing square snow walls decorated for the New Year, offering sacred rice cakes and sake, and burning the structures to ward off misfortune and pray for children’s healthy growth. 

In the merchant districts, residents made snow hollows near neighborhood wells to worship the water deity and pray for reliable water. Over centuries these practices merged into the kamakura tradition we see today.

Photo by Pixta

Now, neighborhood groups build compact kamakura across Yokote—clustered around City Hall, Yokote Park, Futabacho, and other community spaces—each with an alcove housing a small shrine. The move from larger communal bonfires and well rites to many intimate street‑level kamakura reflects changes in urban layout, safety concerns, and a desire to keep the ritual accessible and community‑centered.

*Lunar New Year: A tradition related to the New Year, taking place three days before and after January 15.

Highlights of the Yokote Snow Festival

Kamakura Huts and Winter Illuminations

Photo by Pixta

From 18:00 on February 13 and 14, 2026, 4,200 miniature kamakura huts will be constructed and lit up at the Janosaki Riverbed, Yokoteminami Elementary School, and throughout the city.

In addition, 20 large kamakura will be set up at four different venues in the city: Yokote City Hall, Yokote Park, Futabacho Street, and other areas in the city. Witness the breathtaking beauty of a multitude of Kamakura glowing by candlelight!

On the same dates, you can also go inside a kamakura and rent one for your family and friends. The 2026 kamakura hut reservation period is to be announced. (In previous years, it has been 3,000 yen for one hour. For more information, contact the Yokote Tourism Association: 0182-33-7111)

As part of this year’s program, stunning snow art installations will be on display over the weekend of February 13–14, 2026. Please note these dates are being trialed to align with the Kamakura Festival, so schedules may be adjusted.
Snow Art Exhibitions
Dates: February 13–14, 2026

Bonden Ritual - Male Participants Storming into the Main Hall

Photo courtesy of Yokote Tourism Association

The bonden ritual refers to the offering of a heisoku (Shinto ritual wand) to the kami (Japanese deities). These decorated wands are quite large to make the bonden visible from afar. The bonden used for the Yokote Snow Festival is five meters tall and weighs 30 kilograms.

Although bonden rituals are held throughout Akita Prefecture, none are as grandiose as that of Yokote City.

The bonden is carried to the shrine by a long procession of people. After receiving a signal, male participants carry the bonden and rush into the main hall. This ritual is a captivating sight to behold in person.

Bonten Festival:
Dates: February 16 - 17, 2026

Dates for the Yokote Snow Festival 2026

The following are the dates for the Yokote Snow Festival in 2026. We will update the schedule as more information on specific events is released on their website (Japanese).

Kamakura Huts

Yokote Kamakura Event: February 13 and 14, 2026; 18:00 - 21:00
Snow Art Exhibitions February 13–14, 2026

Venues and Venue Access

Photo courtesy of Yokote Tourism Association

Kamakura Venue

You can see kamakuras in various locations throughout the city during the festival.

Main Venue: Doro Koen Park in front of Yokote City Hall

Access: 10 minutes by foot from Yokote Station

Bonden Ritual Venue

The bonden dedication route extends from Yokote City Hall to Asahiokayama Shrine. On the day of the ritual, you can watch from anywhere along the road.

To see the exciting offering, we recommend heading to Asahiokayama Shrine.

Location: The dedication festival runs from Omatsuri Plaza, Yokote City Hall Main Office, to Asahiokayama Shrine (approx. 3 kilometers)

Access: 10 minutes on foot from Yokote Station to Yokote City Hall

Staying Warm at the Yokote Snow Festival

Yokote City is known for its heavy snowfall. While you can expect to enjoy the snowscape, make sure you prepare proper clothing and shoes.

Shoes/Boots

The road will be very slippery once it freezes over. Be especially careful when walking at night. You will slip even if you wear shoes with rubber soles. We recommend having a pair of snowshoes with cleats.

Alternatively, you can wear boots or use attachable cleats. Refrain from wearing heels, since they are extremely dangerous.

Clothes

The temperature in February can get as low as -3 degrees Celsius, and the humidity will make you feel even colder. We think it's best to be extra prepared for extremely cold weather. Scarves and neck warmers are necessary to protect against harsh conditions. You will, of course, want a thick coat. Outerwear that comes with a hood and is water-resistant will be helpful when it snows.