4 instagrammable winter events in Tohoku

Speaking of the popular sightseeing area in winter, it’s Tohoku region. It is the best season to see and experience snow. Let’s warm your frozen body from inside by eating delicious local dishes and bathing hot springs at each prefecture! WHG Hotels are located in Miyagi, Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures, and each hotel is near the main station of the city or the city center. Since you can reach the area from Tokyo by bus or bullet train, it is also a recommended sightseeing spot for those who have an extra time after sightseeing in Tokyo.

Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival in Aomori

Hirosaki Castle, famous for its cherry blossoms, attracts people even during winter events. Especially, visitors can feel like they’re traveling in the fantasy world at “Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival,” one of Michinoku Godai Snow Festival. There are 200 large and small lanterns, snow statues and about 300 mini-kamakura (igloo) in the park. At night, they and Hirosaki Castle will be lit up by candles and lighting with Hirosaki Castle. In addition, large snow statues in the shape of historic buildings and a large slide will be made, so children also enjoy various snow experiences to their hearts’ contents.

Period	8th February, 2019 – 11th February, 2019　9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Venue	Hirosaki Park (1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture)
Access	A 4-min walk from Shiyakushomae bus stop where it takes 15 mins by bus from Hirosaki station.
URL	https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/en/edit.html?id=snow%20lantern%20festival

Yonekawa Mizukaburi Festival in Miyagi

“Yonekawa Mizukaburi Festival” is designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and Important Intangible Folki-Cultural Property. This festival is a traditional ritual with over 800 years history. Men from Towa-cho Yonekawa Itsukamachi will take part in this festival, putting soot on their cheeks and wearing costumes made of rice straws. To pray fire prevention of houses, they make a procession and throw water on roofs of houses while uttering strange sounds. Witness an extraordinary and spectacular scene!

Period	2nd February, 2019　9:30AM – 11:30AM ※The parade of divine messengers start from 10:30AM.
Venue	Daiji-ji Temple (56 Machishimo Tome, Towa-cho, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Access	Free shuttle buses are available from Tome City Shiyakusho-mae.
URL	https://www.city.tome.miyagi.jp/syogaigakusyu/shisejoho/bunkazai/raihousin.html

The 42th Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival in Yamagata

“Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival” is one of Yonezawa’s winter features, where everything is covered with snow in winter. At night, about 300 snow lanterns and about 1,000 statues in the shape of Bonbori (Japanese paper-lanterns) created by citizens will be lit up, and they will bring about a mysterious atmosphere. Moreover, there are 45 stalls selling local dishes and souvenirs, so you can enjoy exquisite dishes using Yonezawa beef such as Torobeko soup, stewed beef tendon and skewer-grilled.

Period	9th February, 2019 – 10th February, 2019　11:00 AM – 9:00 PM ※Snow lanterns will be lit up from 5:30 PM. ※Snow lanterns pre-lighting will start at 5:30 PM on 8th.
Venue	1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	Shuttle buses are available from Yonezawa station to the venue.
URL	https://www.yira-yonezawa.org/sightseeing/en/event.html

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival in Fukushima

In Ouchi-juku that flourished as a post town during the Edo period, many traditional Japanese-style houses with thatched roofs remains. Lots of tourist visit here throughout the year to see these houses built 400 years ago. The scenery changes depending on the season and weather, so visitors can different attractive sceneries. In the “Ouchi-juku Snow Festival,” fireworks and lights of snow lanterns will illuminate snow-covered thatched roofs, and then, Ouchi-juku will change into the breathtaking fantasy world. In addition, events such as speed-eating soba competitions and the traditional costume contest will also take place.

Period	9th February, 2019 – 10th February, 2019 ※Snow Lanterns will be lit up from the sunset to 8:00PM on 9th.
Venue	Ouchi-juku (Yamamoto Ouchi, Shimogo-machi, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture)
Access	It takes 15 mins by shuttle bus from Yunokamionsen station.
URL	http://ouchi-juku.com/