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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: Feb 7 (Sat) - 15 (Tue)
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: Feb 11 (Wed)
Location: Hanamaki Cultural Hall Large Hall
Information: Hanamaki Tourism Assoc. 0198-24-2111
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Matsuo Village - Snow Festival
in Hachimantai 2004
Days of winter sports and nights of fantastic illumination
are the highlights of this event whose real centerpiece is
lovely, powdery snow. |
Access: 1 hr 20 mins by bus from
Morioka Sta., or 15 mins by car from Tohoku Expwy Matsuo-Hachimantai
IC
Information: Snow Festival in Hachimantai Exec. Cmte. 0195-74-2111 |
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Tono City - 7th Tono Furusato Mura Ice Triathlon
This unique winter triathlon is run with snowshoes, sandal skates, and
bamboo skis.
Registration Fees: Adult \1000, Elem. S. \500
Date and Time: Feb 1 (Sun)
Location: Tono Furusato Mura
Information: Tono Furusato Mura Triathlon Exec. Cmte. 0198-64-2300
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Ishidoriya Town - 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: Feb 11 (Wed)
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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Ashiro Town, Matsuo Village - Langlauf Challenge
in Appi
Try cross-country skiing at your own pace on any of several courses set
for various levels. Make your reservations in advance for the whole family
to spend a fun day outdoors.
Dates: Mid Mar
Location: Appi Kogen Ski Resort
Access: 30 mins by car from Tohoku Expwy Matsuo-Hachimantai IC
Information: Television Iwate (TVI) 019-624-1166
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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: Jan 2 (Fri)
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
(Nishine Town)
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: Jan 8 (Thu)
Location: From Miyata Shrine (Hirakasa, Nishine) to Hassaka Shrine (Obuke,
Nishine)
Access: 5 mins by car from Obuke Sta. to Hassaka Shrine
Information: Nishine Tourism Division 0195-76-2111
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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: Jan 3 (Sat)
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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Hadaka Mairi Pilgrimage (Morioka
City)
In centuries old tradition, men in loincloths and straw sandals parade
strung together with rope on nights around the Lunar New Year to pray
for a bountiful harvest and to ward off sickness and disaster in the
coming year. The proud men of this region march on Jan 14 at Kitayama’s
Kyojoji Temple, at Morioka Hachimangu Shrine on Jan 15, and finally at
Sakurayama Shrine on Jan 26.
Dates: Jan 14 (Sat), 15 (Mon), 26 (Mon)
Access: 20-30 mins on foot from Morioka Sta.
Information: Morioka Tourism and Convention Assoc. 019-604-3305
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