Akita: Festivals of the Seasons

The Akita prefecture typically has a lot of festivals throughout all four seasons. Akita is famous for its rice fields and delicious sake. Because Akita is a largely environmental region, many of the festivals celebrate and pray for growth of crops, its people, a good harvest, and to celebrate the elements of nature.

Kakunodate Sakura Festival: The best spot to watch the cherry blossoms bloom in Japanese Tohuko region is Kakunodate, where blossoms bloom near the Hinokinai river and children enjoy games and everyone enjoys delicious food. This festival is a tradition dating 500 years ago and takes place in mid April to the beginning of May. Families often enjoy picnics outside and long walks along the riverside. This is a relaxing way to begin the new year.



Port Festival: A summer festival in the Akita Prefecture is the Tsuchuzaki Port Festival. This is an old tradition dating back to 300 years where all neighborhoods in near the port city of Tsuchuzaki decorate floats with large dolls of warriors. The festival is to celebrate the protection of the people of the region. There is a parade for the floats where the performers dance to traditional Japanese drums and flutes for two days. The festival is held from July 20th to July 21st.

Kanto Festival: One of Akita's most famous festivals of the early fall is the Kanto Festival. It is held from August 4th through August 7th in which citizens pray for a good harvest. During the festival, a competition is held to balance large bamboo poled holding lanterns. Performers balance their poles on four main body parts: the forehead, shoulders, palm, and back. Performers usually change position and gradually add more bamboo poles until they reach the limit of 50 kg., usually 46 lanterns.

 

 

 

Kamakura Festival: A famous Akita Winter festival is the Kamakura Festival held in Yokote, where the snow falls in thick layers. The people here embrace the freezing cold weather and spend time in  hand made snow huts like igloos called kamakuras that stand about 2 km high and 1.5 km wide. This winter festival has a 400 year tradition. The peope enjoy eating grilled rice cakes and rice wine called amazake on a small fire as they celebrate ice and fire. Sometimes there are ice sculpture competitions.

mini kamakuras

snow sculpture competition



 

larger kamakura and families grilling