Yokote, Akita

Yokote (横手市, Yokote-shi) is a city located in Akita in the Tōhoku region of Japan.

As of October 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 96,955, with a household number of 34,314 and the density of 140 persons per km². The total area is 693.60 km².

The city was founded on April 1, 1951.

On October 1, 2005, the towns of Hiraka, Jūmonji, Masuda, Omonogawa, Ōmori, and the villages of Sannai, and Taiyū, all from Hiraka District, merged into the city.

Kamakura Festival

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.

External links

Media related to Yokote, Akita at Wikimedia Commons

• Yokote official website Template:En icon
• Yokote official website Template:Ja icon
• Yokote tourist information Template:Ja icon
• Bonden Festival