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Shizukuishi Town - Iwate Snow Festival
Snow and ice sculptures of all shapes and sizes dominate the foreground,
while Mt. Iwate's powerful silhouette forms a perfect background
for snowy amusements. Enjoy the fantastic lights at night, too.
Dates:Late Jan - Early Feb
Access: 35 mins by bus from Morioka Sta.
Information: Koiwai Farm Makibaen 019-692-4321
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Hanamaki City - All Japan Wanko Soba Championship
In this 5-minute contest, bite-size portions of soba are placed
in individual bowls, and contestants struggle mightily to be the
fastest eater.
Date: Mid Feb
Location: Hanamaki Cultural Hall Large Hall
Information: Hanamaki Tourism Assoc. 0198-22-5557
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Tono
City - Tono Dobekko Sake Festival
Unrefined, home-brewed sake is called doburoku - dobekko here in Tono. Enjoy
dobekko, non-alcoholic amazake, and food including local mushroom cuisine and
ranging from salt-broiled fish to pheasant soba and bear soup. Other attractions
include traditional Shishi Odori and sacred kagura dances, storytelling around
the hearth, mochi rice pounding, and horse-drawn sleighs.
Dates: Late Jan - Early Mar
Location: Tono Furusato Village
Access: 15 mins by car or 25 mins by bus from Tono Sta
Information: Tono Furusato Village 0198-64-2300 |
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Hanamaki City - Taroshidaki Falls Ice
Pillar Measurement
This giant ice pillar forms every year as a feeder stream of the Kuzumarugawa
River freezes in the mountains. In mid-February of every year, the pillar's
thickness is measured to determine the bounty of the year's harvest.
Date: Mid Feb
Access: 10 mins by car to Ishidoriya Sta. from Tohoku Expwy Hanamaki
IC, 20 mins by car from Ishidoriya Sta. to parking area, remainder on
foot
Information: Ishidoriya Bureau of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism 0198-45-2111
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Iwaizumi Town - Ryusendo Water Festival
This festival reminds us to treat Ryusendo's fabulous water and surrounding
forests carefully, and at the same time prays for a good harvest in the
coming year. On the day of the festival, young people who have purified
their bodies with Ryusendo's water and perform a sacred dance, followed
in a parade by young children who transport the water.
Date: Mid Jan
Access: 100 km from Tohoku Expwy Morioka-Minami IC on Rte 4, Rte 455
E
Information: Iwaizumi Division of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism 0194-22-2111
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Koshio Shrine Sominsai Festival
(Hanamaki City)
The history of this festival, which prays for a year free from disease
and disaster, and for a plentiful harvest, stretches back to 1865. The
festival begins with pounding glutinous mochi rice out front of the shrine
office. Next, tens of youths holding torches and clad in nothing but
loincloths parade to the mountain’s peak, where a purification
of the grounds by fire is performed. The soft, sticky, pounded mochi
is doled out, and then the chaotic battle for the small bag said to ward
off illness. Start the new year off right with this traditional show
of snow, fire, and nearly-naked brawling.
Dates: Early Jan
Location: Koshio Shrine (Yazawa, Hanamaki)
Access: 2 mins by car from Shin-Hanamaki Sta.
Information: Koshio Shrine 0198-31-2768
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Hirakasa Hadaka Mairi Pilgrimage
(Hachimantai City)
Nearly naked pilgrimage to shrines at the start of the new year has long
been performed to ensure safety from illness and disaster, household
and family safety, and a bountiful harvest. Though traditionally performed
only by men, women began participating here during the second World War
to pray for the good luck and safe return of husbands and sons. This
is your only chance in all Japan to see women participate in this demanding
pilgrimage.
Dates: Early Jan
Location: From Miyata Shrine (Hirakasa, Nishine) to Hassaka Shrine (Obuke,
Nishine)
Access: 5 mins by car from Obuke Sta. to Hassaka Shrine
Information: Hachimantai Tourism Assoc 0195-78-3500
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Miyako Salmon Festival (Miyako
City)
Salmon, salmon, salmon! Enjoy numerous events at the riverside event
arena in Tsugaruishi, Miyako. Attraction include chances to observe salmon
fishing, grab your own (with your bare hands!), and to buy wholesale
salmon or try some local delicacies like harako soba, which is made with
salmon roe.
Dates: Early Jan
Location: Tsugaruishigawa riverside, Miyako
Fees: Salmon-grabbing: \1500/fish
Access: 15 mins by car from Miyako Sta.
Information: Miyako Tourism Assoc. 0193-62-3534
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Ichinoseki City - Ohara Mizukake
Water Festival
Best seen to be believed: drastically under-clothed men dash through
the streets as onlookers and spectators splash and douse them with water
and make wishes. Brr! But fear not! These men are sacrificing themselves
to protect the community from fire, disease, disaster, and more.
Date: Mid Feb
Location: Ohara Shopping District, Daito
Access: 10 mins by car from Surisawa Sta
Information: Festival Preservation Cmte 0191-72-2282
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Nishiwaga Town - Yuda Hot Springs
Snow Lantern Festival
Around mid-February, snow sculptures appear around Yuda, with flickering
candles casting gentle light and shadow throughout the area. Enjoy the
soft, special romance of this snowy hot spring area.
Dates: Mid Feb
Location: Around Yuda
Access: 1 min on foot from Hotto Yuda Sta
Information: Festival Exec Cmte 0197-82-2270
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