Yokote (横手市 Yokote-shi) is a city located in Akita in the Tōhoku region of Japan.
Yokote is known for its Kamakura Festival, a midwinter festival in
which igloo-like snow houses are made throughout the town.
It's held in
the days leading to the Bonden Festival (mid February) and its location
is focused around the city hall area. Children and others sit in the
kamakura and serve amazake and mochi
to visitors. In addition, several stalls are situated around town
serving other types of typical Japanese festival food, including the
town's own Yokote yakisoba.
An altar for the water deity is carved into the rear of the room
inside each Kamakura, where people pray for abundant harvests, the
safety of their family members, protection against fire and for academic
success. In addition to the large igloos, there are mini-kamakura which
are spread throughout the city. There are candles Inside the tiny snow
domes. Some of the regular kamakuras and the mini-kamakuras are
sponsored by local businesses and can sometimes look like an
advertisement for a product (like a cell phone). The kamakura can be
experienced year round in a building adjacent to Yokote City Hall called
the Kamakura-kan. Inside, there are a few kamakuras kept at a
temperature of 10°C and are open to visitors.
No comments:
Post a Comment