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Yokote Kamakura Festival

横手の雪まつり かまくらsay “yoh-koh-teh kah-mah-koo-rah”

In the snow country of Akita, children sit in candlelit snow huts and invite passers-by in for rice cakes and warm sweet amazake.

Yokote · Map ↗Second Friday and Saturday of February, every year★★★ Overnight tripWinterSnowFolk tradition
Two snow huts glowing from inside at night, with children seated within and Yokote Castle lit up behind.
Kamakura snow huts at Yokote Park, with Yokote Castle behind, February 16, 2024. Photo: Rarisan, CC0. Source

What it is

The Kamakura Festival is a small-town winter tradition from Yokote, in the deep-snow country of Akita Prefecture. Families build domed snow huts called kamakura, set up an altar to the water god inside, and spend the evening there. Children sit on straw mats around a small brazier and invite visitors in.

It is a quiet, intimate festival. There are no parades, just glowing huts, candles in the snow, and the chance to share a cup of warm amazake with local families.

Key dates

The festival at a glance

DateWhat happens
Both evenings, about 18:00–21:00Kamakura: About 100 snow huts around the town are lit from inside, with children welcoming visitors
First visit?

Which day should you go?

Best for first-timers

Either evening

Walk between the huts after dark, when candles glow inside the snow.

At the festival

What to look for

Thousands of tiny candlelit snow huts covering a snowy riverbank at dusk.
About 3,500 mini kamakura on the Janosaki riverbed of the Yokote River, February 16, 2025. Photo: Rarisan, CC0. Source

The kamakura

Each domed hut is tall enough to sit in and holds a small altar to the water god, prayed to for good water and harvests.

The welcome

Children invite visitors inside in the local dialect and offer amazake and grilled rice cakes. Leave a small offering at the altar.

Mini kamakura

Hundreds of tiny snow huts with candles inside light up parts of the town.

Getting there

Getting there & where to stay

FromHowTime
TokyoAkita Shinkansen to Ōmagari, then JR Ōu Line to Yokoteabout 3 h 30 min
AkitaJR Ōu Line to Yokoteabout 1 h

On the day. The snow houses are in the city centre, a short walk from Yokote Station. They are lit after dark.

Crowds. Paths are icy. Wear boots with a good grip and warm clothes.

Where to stay

Our pick

Yokote

Few hotels, but you can walk among the snow houses at night.

Akita or Ōmagari

More rooms. Check the last train back.

When to book. Yokote has few rooms. Book 2–3 months ahead.

Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.

Before you go

Practical tips

  • Deep snow. Yokote gets heavy snow. Wear waterproof boots and warm layers.
  • Manners. Ask before taking photos of children inside the huts.
  • Stay over. Hotels in Yokote are limited. Book early or stay in a nearby city.
  • New dates. From 2026 the festival moved from its traditional dates of February 15–16 to the second Friday and Saturday of February.
Words you’ll hear

Glossary

Kamakuraかまくら

A domed snow hut built in the snow country of northern Japan, with a small altar to the water god inside.

Matsuri祭り

A Japanese festival, usually held for the kami of a local shrine. The word comes from the idea of serving and entertaining the gods.

Sources

References

  • Yokote City: Yokote Kamakura, https://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/kanko/1004035/1004590.html
  • Akita Prefecture tourism information: winter festivals.

Last checked 2026-10-12.