Winter Festivals

Next week marks the opening of the 62^nd Annual Sapporo Snow Festival. I highly recommend that anyone who has the chance to see it, go while they are stationed in Misawa. It is truly one of those events that is incomparable to anywhere else in the world.

The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri lasts one week. More information can be found on the official web site. http://www.snowfes.com/english/

For those unable to attend THE snow festival, there are a few winter festivals within driving distance from Misawa. More information may be obtained from the official (Japanese-only) websites – using Google translator should be sufficient.

Lake Towada Snow Festival

http://www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com/main.html

The closest snow festival occurs in Towada Lake City. This year’s name is Snow and Light Fantavista and lasts from February 4-27. If my Google translator is working correctly, the official website announces fireworks at 20:00 each night of the festival. Other evening events include shamisen performances, haneto dancers, karaoke contest, and illuminated snow structures. While it appears most events happen on the weekend and start upon night fall, there is a large snow slide for children to enjoy (¥100 per hour sled rental fee).

Hirosaki Castle Lantern Festival

http://www.hirosaki.co.jp/htcb/sightseeing/fes/yukimatsuri.html

Hirosaki’s winter festival is shorter in duration than the two other local festivals. It lasts only four days, from February 10-13, and features about 150 snow lanterns in various sizes on the premises of Hirosaki Castle grounds. At sunset (approximately 16:30), the sculptures are light up.

Koiwai Farms Snow Festival

http://www.koiwai.co.jp/makiba/yuki44/index.html

Koiwai Farms is located in Shizukuishi Town, just outside Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture.Located at the base of Mt. Iwate, Koiwai Farms is a private 7400 acre ranch noted for its dairy products that attracts about 750,000 visitors annually. The Iwate Snow Festival opens daily between 09:00-21:00 from February 5-13.