Connoisseurs of Japanese noodles must head north to the capital of Iwate Prefecture, home of the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka.”

Criss-crossed by rivers and hemmed in by mountains, Morioka has been nicknamed “the capital of forest and water” for its natural beauty. A generous array of festivals truly makes this city come alive with color and excitement.

Morioka cherry blossoms

Cherry Blossoms in Morioka.

The Ishiwarizakura, or rock-splitting cherry tree, is Morioka’s most intriguingly unique attraction, and a national treasure of Japan. Located on the grounds of the district courthouse, it’s a beautiful 400-year-old cherry tree growing mysteriously through two broken halves of a granite boulder.

The beloved tree is an inspiring sight, especially when change-heralding sakura bloom in the spring.

Three Great Noodles

Famous wanka soba.

With Morioka’s three types of famous noodles, you could eat a different bowl for every meal of the day.

Reimen and jajamen have worldly influences: potato-starch based ramen noodles are based on a Korean dish and often served with kimchi and even a slice of fruit, while tasty jajamen is the local version of Chinese black bean noodles.

But the most interesting dish of all is wanko soba, arguably the most fun and game-like noodle-eating experience you could have.

The thin buckwheat noodles are served in bite-size portions in tiny bowls, but every time you slurp a bowl down, an attentive server will immediately replace it. The noodles are all-you-can-eat, and customers typically compete with each other to see who can stack up the most empty dishes.

Seasonal festivals

The Morioka Sansa Odori Festival.

For a small city, Morioka hosts some spectacularly vibrant and popular festivals.

Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival

On the second Saturday of June, the adorably named Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival sees 100 horses paraded through the streets and hills. Chagu chagu is an onomatopoeia for the sound of tinkling bells, and it’s fitting because the horses are decked out in beautiful traditional decorations.

Morioka Sansa Festival

August 1 to 4 brings the Morioka Sansa Festival, the largest taiko parade in the world. In the pulsing heat of summer, teams of dancers twirl energetically through the streets to the sound of taiko drums and flutes.

Morioka Fall Festival

The Morioka Fall Festival is a shrine festival held annually from September 14 to 16. Floats are paraded through the streets, and a traditional Yabusame ceremony is held at Hachimangu Shrine, where archers shoot targets from the backs of galloping horses.

The parade starts from the shrine at 1 p.m. on the first day of the festival, and at 6 p.m. from Morioka Castle Ruins Park on the second day. The exciting horseback archery kicks off at Hachimangu Shrine at 1 p.m. on the last day of the festival.

Iwate Prefecture hosted two matches during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in nearby city Kamaishi. Check out our Kamishi travel guide to plan your trip! 

• Wakayama's Kumano Region is our Top Travel Destination for 2020!

This article was sponsored by Wakayama Prefecture. For more information visit: https://en.visitwakayama.jp/

• The 2020 Yamato Koriyama Castle Festival which was scheduled to take place between March 24 and April 07 has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Upon entering the castle grounds, there will be a signpost marking two paths. Most visitors will head up the hill—directly to the main building—but they’re missing out. The longer path leads through the gardens via the Ote Gate, and it’s worth taking your time.

Perfect harmony

Photo by: Ok, Japan. You’re beautiful. We get it.

Once through the Ote Gate, there is a small but elegant garden. This spot is famous for an old building known as the Bishamon Kuruwa. It is so perfectly aligned with the neighboring greenery that it is hard to believe it wasn’t built just for photos.

Long ago, it was built as a place to enjoy the tea ceremony slowly. The result was perfect harmony with the surrounding area. Similarly, the photogenic stupa is just a bit further up the path. Tsutsui Junkei, the feudal lord who united the area, was laid to rest here.

The castle legend

Dang, that looks cool.

After enjoying the sights in the surrounding grounds, walk around the upper-most area of the walls. It’s a legend that—during the building of the castle—the castle lord used every piece of stone he could get his hands on to fortify it. These stones included rocks from local temples, unfinished Buddhist art, and even a Jizo statue.

Because they are associated with the protection of children and the souls of the damned, Jizo statues are handled carefully. Unfortunately, the Jizo statue at Koriyama was not so lucky. It was forced into a hole in the wall upside down, presumably, in an attempt to disguise its true nature.

Remarkably, this upper wall is one of the few things to survive the original castle’s destruction. It seems that the Jizo’s powers of protection may have manifested themselves after all.

Koriyama Castle Festival

Night festival for cherry blossoms at Koriyama.

The locals hold a festival every year to ward off the bad mojo because that’s what happens when you build a castle out of sacred stones. The Yamato Koriyama Castle Festival involves the locals dressing in period costumes and a goldfish fair at the nearby Yanagisawa shrine. The art of goldfish husbandry has a long history traced back to samurai. It is a big part of the town’s identity.

Because it is slightly off the beaten track, it is easy to overlook Koriyama Castle. As an area with real history and plenty of things to uncover, it’s unfortunate. However, for visitors looking to discover a little more about the feudal period in Japan, such as the priorities of those in power, it is a location worth exploring.

• Feb. 5, 2020 to March 8, 2020 
• Nighttime illumination starts from around 5 p.m.

Picture bright, cotton candy pink flowers hovering above you as you make your way down the street.

One of the reasons this festival is so popular is because its cherry blossoms called kawazu-zakura bloom much earlier and last much longer than the other varieties that come after it. Just south of Yokohama, and right on the edge of Tokyo Bay, Miura Kaigan is a scenic place to see these early-blooming spring flowers.

Start at Miura Kaigan Station

Photo by: piconao Cherry trees!

The festival itself stretches from Miura Kaigan Station all the way to Komatsugaike Park. Cherry blossom trees line the street for about a kilometer from the station.

Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo

When you arrive at Miura Kaigan Station, you’ll see a handful of festival stalls selling snacks and alcohol. The smell of the usual festival food culprits like takoyaki, grilled chicken skewers, and dango (sweet rice dumplings) fill the air.

Photo by: Yukari Sato The nighttime illumination starts at sunset, around 5 p.m.

Depending on the time you choose to visit, the mood of the festival changes. At night, the trees are illuminated creating the perfect scenery for a nighttime hanami (cherry blossom viewing party). Usually, the light-up starts around 5 p.m.

Use the Misaki Maguro Pass for easy access

If you plan on going to the festival, consider buying the Misaki Maguro Pass at Shinagawa Station. The pass includes roundtrip transportation by train from Shinagawa Station, unlimited use of local buses within the Miura peninsula, and a sightseeing activity. Underwater sightseeing boat cruise anyone?

To top it off, you get a free meal from one of the participating local restaurants. Free food is always a good thing.

Priced at little less than ¥4,000 it’s a great option for travelers on a budget. Look for the Keikyu Line office at Shinagawa Station to buy one. Happy cherry blossom viewing!

• Feb. 9 to 16, 2020
• The main festival areas are lit up from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Otaru is a charming harbor city in Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. Its historic streets and picturesque canal make it the perfect location for this fairytale winter festival. Hundreds of lanterns floating in the freezing canal transform the city into an ethereal wonderland, their soft glow reflected in the serene water.

The beautiful sight is referred to as the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi).

Photo by: かがみ～ Oh, the romance.

Alongside the canal, small illuminated snow sculptures form a second river of light. The flickering candles create a wonderfully cozy atmosphere. This festival is a much more peaceful affair compared to the nearby Sapporo Snow Festival. Helpfully, Otaru’s festival is timed to coincide with Sapporo’s, so that visitors can easily enjoy both events.

The organizers intentionally want to keep the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival more spiritual than commercial. Their website encourages visitors to relax and forget about their busy daily lives. Simply enjoy the tranquil, otherworldly atmosphere created by the soft light.

Other festival sites

The festival is held mainly along the Otaru Canal, but a second festival site is located along the tracks of the town’s abandoned Temiya railway line which was built in 1880 and remained in service for just over 100 years. Here you’ll find food stalls, a snow tunnel, and hand-crafted, illuminated snow statues. Many locals also create their own lanterns for the festival, which they display in front of their shops and houses.

Photo by: Kirk K Sample Otaru’s amazing seafood while you’re there.

In addition, there are two smaller illumination sites further afield. One is the “River Site” in the hot springs village of Asarigawa, where candles are placed on snow-covered stones in the river. The other is Mount Tengu, which offers a spectacular view over Otaru, as well as its own candle displays and lit-up trees.

After you get an eyeful, you should definitely stop at one of the local eateries. Otaru is not just a quaint port town to look at, it’s also serving up some of the freshest seafood in Japan.

• Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2020
• Night time Illumination: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Photo by: Akita Prefecture Snow domes!

Kamakura are a traditional feature in parts of northern Japan and this festival in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, has a history dating back around 450 years. The snow domes were originally built to deify a Shinto water god, and pray for abundant water, bountiful harvests and the safety of the community. Inside the kamakura, you’ll find an altar where you can make an offering to the deity.

See the kamakura lit up at night

When dusk falls, local children invite visitors into the over 100 large kamakura at different sites all around the city. The main locations to visit include Yokote Central City Hall Festival Plaza, Minami Elementary School, and Yokote Castle. The latter extends its opening hours until 10 p.m. so that visitors can also enjoy a stunning night view of the city from the observation deck.

Yokote city turns into a romantic little spot come winter.

If you accept the invitation inside you will be able to enjoy freshly grilled mochi (sticky rice cakes) and amazake (a sweet, low alcohol drink made from fermented rice). It’s perfect for banishing the winter chill!

Both large and small snow domes are constructed along the bank of the Yokote River. These are illuminated from within by candles after dark, creating a second river of flickering light next to the water.

Woah is that Godzilla?

In Yokote’s Kamakurakan Hall, a couple of kamakura are preserved year-round in a special low-temperature room. Even if you can’t visit Yokote during the two days of the festival, it’s still possible to see one of these traditional snow domes for yourself.

Want more winter festivals? Check out our list of the best Snow and Ice Festivals in Japan.

• Feb. 7, to Feb. 9, 2020
• 6 p.m. to about 9 p.m.

“Hey hey, kids!”

The Legend of the Namahage

In Japanese folklore, namahage are a troll type of oni (demon) with blue or red skin. During the new year, they get their kicks by terrorizing villages and carrying off young brides. The only way to appease them and send them on their merry way is by giving them mochi.

Children burst into tears as the demons snatch them up, warning them not to be naughty or lazy.

Despite being total A-holes, they’re actually well-meaning A-holes. Namahage are messengers from the gods sent to scold us all into being good little boys and girls. Like most legends of trolls and boogeymen, it’s all just a lesson to teach kids—and also scare the holy crap out of them.

Photo by: chrissam42 We’ve come for your daughter, Chuck.

Nowadays, parents in Akita use the namahage legend to full effect, asking friends and relatives to wear frightening costumes around New Year’s Eve and make house calls to instill lessons in (i.e., traumatize) their children. Supposedly, even children hiding in the closet are dragged out kicking and screaming. Maybe next time they’ll think twice about refusing to eat those veggies that mom made.

Night of the Demon

Photo by: chrissam42 Beastie boys.

Unfortunately for children in Akita, a visit once a year isn’t enough. Every second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February, Oga City celebrates the Namahage Sedo Festival by lighting a great bonfire near Shinzan Shrine and summoning namahage from the mountains. The festival is a combination of the New Year’s namahage event and the Shinto Sedo festival in early January.

It includes Shinto ceremonies unique to Oga, and powerful dance and taiko drum performances by the namahage themselves. The lucky few selected to become namahage for the evening receive legendary oni masks said to contain the spirit of the gods.

Hungry for more demons?

Children burst into tears as the demons snatch them up, warning them not to be naughty or lazy. The joke might be lost on you if you don’t speak the language, but Japanese parents find it hysterical.

Photo by: chrissam42 “Arrrrrrggghhhh!”

It takes mochi roasted over the bonfire by a Shinto priest to make the namahage leave. These aren’t your grandmother’s mochi though. They’re divine mochi, and the namahage make a big show out of trying desperately to get them. After finally having their rice cakes, they creep back up the mountain and disappear into the night until next year. You’d better have some mochi ready.

Find more lively celebrations in Japan in our Japanese festivals section.

• Feb. 4 to Feb. 11, 2020

Every February, Sapporo, in the country’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, is the site of the week-long festival. It sees a lot of snow in winter and—as a city with a lively vibe—is the perfect venue for Yuki Matsuri.

Larger than life sculptures.

The Snow Festival features hundreds of snow and ice sculptures ranging from big to down-right enormous. Sapporo City’s Odori Park is where the main event takes place. Visitors can take a short walk from Sapporo Station and be entertained all day and night.

Each year, people come to Sapporo to make creative snow and ice sculptures, often based on pop culture. In the past, fan favorites have included carvings dedicated to Star Wars, Final Fantasy, numerous anime characters, and more.

Among the intricate artwork made from snow and ice are pathways lined with food stalls with everything from meat skewers and fresh seafood to “hot milk” (a Hokkaido special), plus live performances ranging from J-Pop to rock.

Photo by: Victoria Vlisides 2017 Snow Fest: PPAP!

The multi-day festival’s popularity has skyrocketed, especially among foreign tourists and especially on the weekends. However, it comes from humble roots starting in 1950 when a few high school students made snow sculptures, according to the official site. Despite just six statues, the festival ended up drawing a crowd of 50,000! In 1955, the Self Defense Force joined in to help make the massive sculptures you still see today.

Before you go

The Snow Festival has three sites, with Odori Park being the main one to see snow sculptures. Odori Park also has illuminated snow structures so you can see them at night until 10 p.m. The second is the Tsudome site, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and has tons of activities like snow rafting and is great for families.

Photo by: Alfie Blincowe A snow sculpture at the 2018 Sapporo Snow Fest.

Last is Station Avenue (Ekimae-dori), which has beautiful illuminated ice sculptures. These are usually open for viewing until 11 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the last day of the festival.

Sapporo 2013: Illuminated snow sculpture The Land of Ice ~ Princess of White Wings.

Accommodation

Most people stay in Sapporo city, but you may need to branch out a little depending on how early you book it. Reasonably priced accommodation—like hostels and Air BnBs—book up months in advance, so plan early. Some may end up staying in Chitose City, which is closer to New Chitose Airport. However, it’s 30-60 mins away from Sapporo, depending on the train you take.

Photo by: Victoria Vlisides 2017 Snow Fest: Final Fantasy!

While you’re in the Sapporo area, it’s worth heading out of the city after you get your fill of the snow festival, which you could easily enjoy for at least two days. You can also sightsee in the charming port town of Otaru, with its lighted canal and amazing onsen, or Jozankei for skiing and even more onsen.

• Jan. 24 to Feb. 16, 2020
• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Illumination from 4:30 p.m.)

You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another world as you wander around these surreal frozen abodes.

Lake Shikotsu is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. It was formed in a volcanic crater and is surrounded by three volcanic mountains.

Enjoy sculptures, ice skating, and more

Photo by: redlegsfan21 Chitose’s Lake Shikotsu winter festival will light up the night.

During the ice festival, the lake’s water is used to create a huge range of stunning ice sculptures. The statues glisten blue under the sunshine during the day, but at night they’re illuminated in a host of bright colors forming a magical fairytale kingdom. You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another world as you wander around (and even inside) these surreal frozen abodes.

The sculptures are the main attraction, but there are plenty of other activities to enjoy during your visit. Glide across the ice rink, go down the ice slide or go for a horseback ride. To take it up a notch, pledge your eternal love for your significant other with an “ice wedding.”

Photo by: Robert Thomson Inside the ice sculptures!

As with any good festival, you can also find plenty of local food and drink stalls. Warm up with a bowl of oden (a classic Japanese soup), hot soba, and udon noodles.

On weekends and holidays, there are additional events including powerful taiko drumming performances and spectacular fireworks displays. After an evening of chilly fun, you can relax in any of the nearby onsen (hot springs). It’s the only suitable honeymoon for an ice wedding, really.

Want more icy winter festivals? Check out our list of the Top 10 Snow and Ice Festivals in Japan. Brrrr.

• Wakakusa Yamayaki (Mountain Roast): Jan. 25, 2020. It's held annually on the fourth Saturday of January.

Luckily, the unfairly overlooked Mount Wakakusa stands right next to the main temple area. Venturing from Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Shrine will lead to further exploration of the mountain that offers a lovely view of Nara, plus seasonal goodies and events.

Photo by: Nathan Vennekens Great view with a short hike.

Climbing Mount Wakakusa

While it is officially a mountain, most visitors will not find it a challenging climb at 342-meters high. A relaxed pace and a moderate amount of effort should be enough to ascend the slope to the lower plateau in 15 to 20 minutes. Thankfully, even a short hike is rewarded by a view that takes in all of Nara’s major sites.

Most people are content with the view from the first spot, but the summit of the mountain can be reached with an additional 20-minute walk.

While the burial mound at the very top isn’t particularly attractive, the upper slopes are where the birds and deer congregate after a long day of eating the rice crackers thrown by tourists. In the evening, expect to see murders of crows packed tightly with herds of deer grazing on the grassy knolls.

Wakakusa Mountain Roast and other seasonal highlights

Depending on the season, the area also has some special events worth checking out. Mount Wakakusa is famous locally for its cherry blossom trees during hanami (blossom viewing) season in spring. There’s also an interesting senbei (Japanese rice cracker)-throwing competition around that time.

Photo by: IH Mount Wakakusa’s annual burn.

On the fourth Saturday of each January, the mountain’s dead grass is burned in a festival known as yamayaki (mountain roast), which is commonly known as a prescribed burn. Here, the whole mountain is lit up in flames and later fireworks are launched into the sky.

Photo by: Find 47 Don’t miss the fireworks show.

Mount Wakakusa will give travelers a different perspective on the major sites of Nara and to be seeing it all from the top is a unique view into a sacred world.

Interested in hiking through Japan’s awesome nature? Check out our hiking section.