BondenKamakura （Snow Hut）

“Bonden” refers to a big object in shape of Gohei (a wand with plaited paper streamers in Shinto) where divine spirits are drawn. Bonden are imbued with various prayers (e.g. for a bumper crop, peace and prosperity in the household or a thriving business) and then dedicated to the Asahi Okayama Shrine every year on February 17th.The Bonden of Yokote are characterized by their unprece-dented size, elegance and beauty. The length of their poles is about 4.3 m. A cylindrical bamboo basket with a diameter of about 90 cm is attached to the head of the pole and colorful “sagari” (fabrics and hemp yarns), Shimena-wa (ropes used to cordon off consecrated areas), Shide (paper streamers) and headbands are attached to it. Furthermore, ornaments designed with the Chinese zodiac, dolls or something similar are placed on the top of Bonden. The overall size of a Bonden well exceeds 5 m and has a weight of more than 30 kg.

Yokote City, Akita is located in northern Japan and is an area that often receives heavy snowfall.Kamakura (snow hut)Festival is a traditional lunar calendar event that is held every year on February 15th and 16th.Kamakura has a history of around 450 years and is famous as a leading winter Festival of Tohoku. An altar is built in each Kamakura and worships the God of Water.Kamakura has a diameter of approximately 4 m and a height of 3 m.It takes 30 tons to make one Kamakura.Inside Kamakura, children entertain the visitors by offer-ing toasted Omochi(rice cake) and Amazake(sweet drink made from fermented rice).

The Bonden Competition is held in front of Yokote City Hall Main Building every year on February 16th. Close to 40 gorgeous Bonden will be gathered from around the city on the day to compete on the workmanship of their head ornaments and their overall level of completion. These are combined with Ebisu bales and children's kowaka Bonden to raise the spirits of the entire venue.

光明寺公園

★Bonden CompetitionAround 9:30 to 13:00 Yokote City Hall Main Building

★Asahi Okayama Shrine Bonden Dedication FestivalFrom the front of Yokote City Hall Main Building to Asahi Okayama Shrine

Around 9:45 to 13:00 (departure from in front of Yokote City Main Building)

Bonden, encircled by vibrant young people, are lined up in front of Yokote City Hall Main Building on February 17th before departing toward Asahi Okayama Shrine on the signal of fireworks. When the hundreds of young people from Yokote arrive at the main shrine, their jostling enthusiasm turns to sweat and the air becomes dense with steam. Everyone then stands up and yells out "joyasa" as the festival reaches its climax with the sound of a trumpet shell.

*Getting here

From Narita airport, take the shuttle to Haneda Airport (approx. 85 mins.). Then from Haneda, fly to Akita Airport (approx. 60 mins.).From Akita Airport, shuttles are available to take you to Yokote (approx. 75 mins.).

From Tokyo Station, take the Akita Shinkansen “Komachi” to Omagari (approx. 3 hrs). Then from Omagari, take a local train to Yokote (approx. 20 mins.).

From Narita:

From Tokyo Station:

Yokote, Akita Prefecture

hNigiwai Square in front of Yokote Station

KAMAKURA BONDEN

Yokote Snow Festival 2020Guide Pamphlet

Yokote Snow Festival 2020Guide Pamphlet

Yokote City in Akita Prefecture

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February 15th (Sat.) and 16th (Sun.) February 16th (Sun.) and 17th (Mon.)

*The contents are subject to change depending on the snow situation.

February 16th (Sun.) and 17th (Mon.): Bonden

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.★Kamakura in Kidogorobei Village 2020

Houses and Gardens of Kidogorobei Village, Omonogawa

aYokote City Hall Civic Square

★Hokkori Yokocho(Kamakura Sponsor Product Exhibition)February 15th (Sat.)　10 a.m. to 9 p.m.　February 16th (Sun.)　 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.★KamakurabYokote City Hall Main Building Road Park, cYokote Park, dFutaba-cho Avenue, fYokote Minami Elementary school,eYokote EAST and elsewhere throughout the whole city

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.★Mini KamakuragJanosaki River Bed

★Love♥Kamakura 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. eYokote EAST

Streets of Masuda Yokote Masuda Manga Museum

Scan here for information on the Streets of Masuda

Scan here for informationon the Manga Museum

Masuda Town Tourist Agencyhttp://masudakanko.com/

Yokote Masuda Manga Museumhttps://manga-museum.com/

February 15th (Sat.) and 16th (Sun.): Kamakura

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.★KAMAKURA BAR YOKOTE

Guesthouse Hiragen KojianMeikadokoro Kimuraya

There are traditional Kamakura (snow huts) packed with emotion!

Opening of the facilities. Special menu available for a limited time.

Coffee and sweets set menu. Yokote souvenirs are also on sale.

Old private home café open for a limited time!

Photo Spots and Rest Points

(5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

(10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

(10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Guesthouse Hiragen

Meikadokoro Kimuraya

Kojian