Foreign dishes, including American style caramel popcorn and Middle Eastern lamb shawarma, were also for sale. Tokamachi Snow Festival. The Tokamachi Snow Festival, a three-day-festival which is actually older than it's more famous cousin, is held every February, and features equally impressive massive snow sculptures, across a dozen or so sites around the town. Buses and trains from Tokyo head to and from Tokamachi daily. The Sapporo Snow Festival is much better known, but nothing beats the local flavor of the festival and snow sculptures found in Tokamachi in February. Like the Sapporo Snow Festival, the Tokamachi Snow Festival features many impressive snow sculptures, but it generally has a much more cozy, neighborhood vibe than its cousin in Sapporo. Creating the stage takes many dozens of workers, top-quality-snow-shaping skills, and tons and tons of snow delivered by massive trucks. The three kimono queens of Tokamachi and other models wearing kimonos descended gracefully down the ice staircase and swayed across the stage without slipping or appearing cold in the subzero temperature. As evening approaches, most people start crossing town on foot (cars are not allowed) toward the main event, known as the Snow Carnival, which is held in a massive stage built, again, entirely of snow. This year's stage was about fifty meters long and as tall as a three-story building. Charbroiled river fish are placed in cups of heated hot sake. You can also fly to Niigata city from various Japanese cities and then take a train to Tokamachi after changing at Echigo Yuzawa Station. Since 1950, the art-oriented citizens of Tokamachi, Niigata, have been morphing their annual snow inundation into a one-of-a-kind, town-wide festival, celebrating winter's beauty, combining traditional Japanese culture with contemporary culture, and providing unforgettable sensuous experiences for locals and tourists every February. All Rights Reserved. There are about two dozen festival sites (hiroba) of varying sizes, some of which are located within the city center while others are further away from town. Tokamachi Snow Festival Every February Tokamachi hosts a spectacular snow festival. However, Tokamachi refused to let this weigh it down, turning its one main drawback to an attraction; the Tokamachi Snow Festival. Many of the festival sites in the city center are accessible on foot. Nightlife in Japan: Going out, exploring and drinking. The event features snow sculptures created by local residents scattered throughout the city. Something wrong? It was absolutely perfect in every way. Tokamachi Snow Festival. For over 30 years, Newport Winter Festival has been one of New England 's most popular winter events. Bursting with community spirit and down-to-earth charm, Tokamachi Snow Festival styles itself as being the first contemporary snow festival in Japan. Here and there, volunteers handed out free cups of nonalcoholic amazake, a refreshing hot drink made from fermented rice. Youll also have plenty of chances to play in the snow and go sledding. Snow sculptures are erected all over the town, crafted by professionals and beginners alike. Tokamachi City is known as the "birthplace of modern snow festivals" because it was the first city in Japan where residents took the initiative to hold a snow festival. Every year in February, the City of Tokamachi puts on the Tokamachi Snow Festival that showcases local residents' talents. Yuzawa Snow Festival. It began in 1950 with the local residents' concept of "enjoy the snow, as a friend of the snow." The main event is the residents' handmade "artworks made of snow." Local freshwater fish are a must eat and drink. To get to Tokamachi from Tokyo, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo Yuzawa. Tokamachi Snow Festival. This snow festival is now known as one of the best snow festivals in Japan. Make sure to keep an eye out for this snow sprite while youre there! Expect live music and fireworks set on a stage made of snow! Tweet. The festival is broken up into different areas called hiroba, and they each offer different attractions. Nowadays, the Tokamachi Snow Festival usually happens on the 3rd weekend in February. Restaurants near Hotel Mukadeya, Tokamachi on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews and candid photos of dining near Hotel Mukadeya in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture. The site features multiple snow sculptures, snow-related activities and rides, and a large selection of festival food stalls. Don't miss Tokamachi Snow Festival, Niigata Prefecture. This snow festival features snow and ice sculptures at several locations around the Tokamachi City. It is a solid proof that is rooted in. Niigata gets some of the heaviest snowfalls in the world! Thank you for the replies! Today is the last day of this year's festival, but we are already contemplating of a visit next year. Each year the town comes together as a community to host the Tokamachi snow festival. The Tsudome is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tomomi Itano, Tokamachi Snow Festival, Niigata Prefecture. Where: Yuzawa Kogen /Nunoba Ski Resort. Tokamachi Snow Festival in Niigata Snow sculptures in the quiet town of Tokamachi, Niigata. Many snow sculptures are created for the occasion and exhibited at various locations . It calls itself the first ever snow festival celebrated in Japan, having had its first edition in 1950, the same year that the Sapporo Snow Festival started. It is a whole weekend of snow-related fun in late February each year. :), Share your passion for Japan with the world. This part of Niigata boasts one of the highest snowfall levels not just in Japan but on the planet, so there's bucket loads of the white stuff to enjoy. If you're in Tokyo in February, follow the crowds to this festival, an extravaganza of fun in the snow. Suite 14 137-139 High Street Beckenham, BR3 1AG London, United Kingdom. The city's residents and shop keepers also contribute to the festive spirit by making snowmen and snow decorations around their houses, along streets and especially in front of the stores in the city center. A fireworks display and other events are held during the three-day festival, which attracts over 250,000 visitors from around Japan every year. With Niigata being the prefecture with the largest amount of snowfall in Japan, it's fitting that it would be the site for a number of snow-related festivals, one of the biggest being the Tokamachi Snow Festival. Dating back to 1950, it is the oldest winter festival in Japan. Although the city provides buses and tour companies offer guides and small vans, most visitors will enjoy ambling about town to gawk at the sculptures. The festival was first held in February of 1950, just a few days before another one of Japans biggest snow festivals, the Sapporo Snow Festival, started being held. Tokamachi Snow Festival, Tokamachi: See 26 reviews, articles, and 27 photos of Tokamachi Snow Festival, ranked No.8 on Tripadvisor among 54 attractions in Tokamachi. Tokamachi's celebration of winter deserves to be ranked among the best festivals in Japan. The city of Tokamachi is known for its abundant snowfalls. Meanwhile masters of the tea ceremony demonstrate the graceful movements of the traditional tea ceremony in an open tea room in front of the seated guests. Although, this year's festival (2016) has already ended, you can attend the next one, or, better yet, come to Tokamachi in another season to enjoy its other attractions: terraced rice paddies, beautiful forests, abundant hot springs, Kiyotsu Gorge, and the world famous Echigo-Tsumari Art Field. A winter festival of Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture, which is known as one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall areas. Hello Kitty sitting on the street Lady clearing up some snow Street in winter Snowmen in glasses Tokamachi City is in the southeast of Niigata Prefecture. Manish Prabhune Jun 05, 2017 - 2 min read. This is the biggest winter event Tokamachi has! Sculptures, fireworks and more in snow country. The sounds vibrated through the town. Tokamachijc.com.This domain provided by gmo.jp at 2010-12-22T04:10:35Z (11 Years, 193 Days ago), expired at 2022-12-22T04:10:35Z (0 Years, 172 Days left). Copyright Japan National Tourism Organization. And many of the events are free of charge. The Tokamachi Snow Festival (, Tkamachi Yuki Matsuri) is held annually for three days surrounding the third Saturday of February. Tokamachi Snow Festival boasts snow sculptures and illuminations. Japan Travel is the leading resource for Japan travel information and the primary destination for visitors planning and traveling to Japan. The Tokamachi Snow Festival has its own mascot name Nju (). It's one of the most easily-accessible snow festivals in Japan, being located in the city center of Hokkaido's capital city, Sapporo. Amazake, a type of warm sweet rice wine with zero or close to zero alcohol content, is commonly offered to visitors for free at the various festival sites. Find best hotels near Tokamachi Snow Festival in Tokamachi with promotions and discounts on Trip.com. Tokamachi Snow Festival in Niigata is an annual snow festival featuring snow statues, music concerts, fireworks, food and a good time. Some of them are grouped in clusters at sites called "hiroba", while others are located individually, sometimes at relatively isolated places. Alternatively, taxis are available from the station. The coronavirus outbreak is still having an impact on travel in Japan. The Tokamachi Snow Festival is held in Tokamachi of Niigata Prefecture. Check out the Tokamachi Snow Festivals official website for more information: https://snowfes.jp/hp/english/information/ (English) https://snowfes.jp/hp/ (Japanese), https://travel.gaijinpot.com/japan-sightseeing-essentials/top-10-winter-snow-and-ice-festivals-in-japan/, https://travel.gaijinpot.com/tokamachi-snow-festival/, https://www.kyuhoshi.com/tokamachi-snow-festival/, https://snowfes.jp/hp/english/information/. Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages, COVID-19: Practical Information for Traveling to Japan. A mild winter with a bit of rain before the event for the 2016 edition did nothing to damp the high spirits of the organizers or participants. The Tokamachi Snow Festival is held annually, and has a history dating back to 1950. 1 of 11. The Tokamachi Snow Festival was first held on February 4 and 5, 1950. Find the perfect tokamachi, japan and snow stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. This area actually gets the most snow than any other spot on Japan's main island of Honshu. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos Oh yes! Organizers promise "a fun experience even without much snow," and. It has a longer history than any other snow festival in Japan and is second in size only to one held in Hokkaido. Many snow sculptures are created for the occasion and exhibited at various locations in the city. The real highlight of the weekend is on Saturday when the town hosts a carnival. Your feedback is confidential and will be used to help improve this page. Tokamachi Snow Festival Phone: +81 25-757-3100 Address: 1-chu014Dme-760 Gakku014Dchu014D, Tu014Dkamachi-shi, Niigata-ken 948-0022, Japan. Tokamachi Snow Festival, Niigata PrefectureTokamachi Snow Festival, Niigata Prefecture. (Directions). The Tokamachi Snow Festival was born from the local populace's belief of "befriending the snow and enjoying the snow." One stall was simmering beef and vegetable stew in a two-meter-wide frying pan. To counteract the negative aspects of the high precipitation, the Tokamachi Snow Festival celebrates the abundant snow as a means of enjoyment for both the residents and visitors. The Tokamachi Snow Festival 2020/2/152/16 Tokamachi City. Tokamachi Snow Festival 14-16 February 2020 Image credit: Rebirth10 The Tokamachi Snow Festival, for example, celebrates this season by exhibiting life-size snow and ice sculptures. Overall, Newport Winter Festival hosts over 150 events for all ages. The Tokamachi Snow Festival began from the idea, "let's enjoy the snow and become friends with it." Festival plaza areas (also known as hiroba) can be found all over town with hospitality spots and handmade snow sculptures. Site is running on IP address 163.44.185.199, host name 163-44-185-199.virt.lolipop.jp (Tokyo Japan) ping response time 10ms Excellent ping.. Last updated on 2022/07/03 Downhill Torch Skiers / Fireworks: 8.40pm (approximately) . Char from nearby rivers are salted, skewered, and arranged in circles around a heating element. As they all sang and danced, various exciting colors and designs were projected onto the white stage. Group Tours in Japan, Urban and Rural Japan Tokamachi Snow Festival. Friday 6th March 2020. The large snow sculptures are magnificent and well worth the trip to behold. These hotels near Tokamachi Snow Festival in Tokamachi have great views and are well-liked by travelers: Belnatio - Traveler rating: 4.5/5 SAKE Hotel Tamakiya - Traveler rating: 4.5/5 The fish imparts a charcoal and fishy flavor to the sake. Explore Japan's essential sites and hidden gems. In saying that though, we've had a much milder winter this year than last years, and much less snow so far. Attending the festival after a gap of nearly 12 years, it was quite a nostalgic feel, viewing the snow sculptures handmade by local residents. The sixth graders will appear on the main stage at the opening ceremony on February 15, dancing . The Tokamachi Snow Festival is an old-style, traditional snow festival, that was started in the same year as Sapporo Snow Festival in 1950. Photo by Rebirth10/Wikipedia. And everywhere were minion sculptures . 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