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2026: Koshogatsu Events－Traditional Winter Events in Akita, Japan

Posted on by Junko

Many people may be familiar with the Japanese word and tradition of Shogatsu, meaning New Year. However, fewer are likely to have heard of Koshogatsu, which is celebrated at the end of the new year. In Akita Prefecture, various traditional Koshogatsu events are held every February. In this article, I would like to introduce some of Akita’s unique winter traditions. 

Note: February is summer in Australia and New Zealand, but it is winter in Japan as it is in the Northern Hemisphere. 

What is Shogatsu? 
In Japan, the period beginning on 1 January is called Shogatsu, a time when families and relatives gather in their hometowns to celebrate the New Year and reconnect with one another. In particular, the first three days of January are designated holidays for government offices and most companies. 

What are Koshogatsu and Koshogatsu events? 
Today, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar like most countries, but until about 150 years ago (in 1872), the lunar calendar was in use. In that calendar, the first full moon of the year, which occurred after Shogatsu (late January to mid‑February in today’s calendar), was called Koshogatsu. Various Koshogatsu events were held to mark the conclusion of the New Year celebrations. 

These Koshogatsu events carry multiple meanings, including bidding farewell to the deities welcomed during Shogatsu, praying for a good harvest before spring farming begins, wishing for health and safety, and strengthening community ties by participating together. 

After Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar, many regions began holding Koshogatsu events around 15 January. However, in many parts of Akita, these events are still held in mid‑February according to the old lunar calendar, preserving the traditional timing. 

Koshogatsu Events in Akita
In snowy Akita in February, various Koshogatsu events take place. 

◆Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival 
In Kamihinokinai, Semboku City, giant paper balloons decorated with warrior paintings and portraits of beautiful women are lit and released into the winter night sky on 10 February each year. Each balloon carries wishes for health, family safety, and a bountiful harvest. The sight of more than 50 balloons gently rising into the dark winter sky is breathtaking and truly beyond words. 

A giant paper balloon decorated

A giant paper balloon decorated with a portrait of a beautiful woman

A giant paper balloon gently rising into the night sky

         

　　　　　　　　　　 

　

 

 

 

 


◆Kariwano Giant Tug‑of‑War 
In Kariwano, Daisen City, one of the largest tug‑of‑war events in Japan is held every year on 10 February. A massive rope, about 80 cm in diameter, 200 meters long, and weighing roughly 20 tonnes, is pulled by thousands of participants divided into two teams: the Upper Town and Lower Town. With a history of over 500 years, the event is rooted in a tradition that predicts the year’s fortunes: if the Upper Town wins, rice prices will rise, and if the Lower Town wins, the harvest will be abundant. Visitors are welcome to join in and experience the excitement firsthand.

◆Kamakura (Yokote Snow Festival) 
In Yokote City, the Snow Festival called kamakura is held every mid‑February (13-14 February in 2026). With a history of about 450 years, dome‑shaped snow huts called kamakura are built, and inside, water deities are enshrined to pray for family safety, business prosperity, and a bountiful harvest. Local children welcome visitors inside the huts with a sweet rice drink (amazake) and rice cakes (mochi). The softly illuminated kamakura scattered across the snowy landscape at night create a truly enchanting scene. 

Inside a kamakura

A kamakura in front of Yokote Castle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


◆Namahage Sedo Festival 
In Oga City, the Namahage Sedo Festival is held on the second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of February. Originating from a Shinto ritual said to date back over 900 years, the sight of Namahage demons charging down the snowy mountain with torches is both thrilling and powerful. The Oga’s Namahage tradition involves young men dressing as deity‑like ogres on New Year’s Eve, visiting homes to ward off misfortune and admonish laziness. This folkloric event was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. 

Namahage demons

Namahage demons running down a snowy mountain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

◆Yuzawa Inukko Dog Festival 
In Yuzawa City, the Inukko Dog Festival is held on the second Saturday and Sunday of February and has a history of about 400 years. The festival began with the custom of placing small dog figurines made of rice flour at home entrances and windows as charms to ward off theft. Today, the venue is lined with adorable dog-shaped snow sculptures, and as dusk falls, the snow shrines glow softly with candle lights. In recent years, a blessing ceremony for pet dogs has also been added, making the festival especially popular among dog lovers. 

 

Conclusion 
Akita’s Koshogatsu traditions have long been cherished as important events through which people living in snowy regions pray for a bountiful harvest and good health while strengthening community bonds. The flickering flames and glowing lights against the snowy landscape, along with beautiful snow structures such as kamakura, provide visitors with unforgettable experiences and the full charm of winter travel. Why not immerse yourself in the unique blend of culture and nature that Akita has to offer?　　　　　 

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  •  On 1 June, we joined Burwood Council for a study session. These sessions have been held annually since 2024, making this the third exchange between our organisations.
     
    Representatives from the JLGC Sydney Office first introduced a project being implemented in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which is the home municipality of one of our Assistant Executive Directors. Under this project, high school students collaborate with local businesses to develop specialty products. Burwood Council participants showed particular interest in how participating businesses are selected and were eager to learn more about this aspect of the project. We then introduced Japan’s local government mascots, commonly known as yuru-chara, which play an important role in enhancing regional recognition and brand value, as well as communicating government initiatives in an accessible and engaging way. The participating Assistant Executive Directors introduced mascots from their respective local governments and organisations and explained the characters’ backgrounds, roles and activities. In response, Burwood Council participants asked a range of questions, including how mascot designs are submitted and how the final designs are selected.
     
     
     
    Burwood Council then provided an overview of its future-oriented urban development initiatives. Located approximately 15 minutes by train from central Sydney, Burwood currently has a population of around 45,000, which is expected to double over the next decade. In anticipation of this growth, as well as the planned opening of a new metro station in 2032, the Council outlined its approach to promoting high-density urban development alongside the enhancement of high-quality public spaces. Specific initiatives include the development of a new cultural facility that will serve as a hub for arts and culture, the installation of public art, and measures to stimulate the night-time economy and create a vibrant urban environment. The Council also explained its efforts to incorporate community input into urban planning through advisory committees made up of local residents and online consultation platforms that enable broad public participation.
     
     
     
    Following the discussion, we joined Burwood Council staff on a site visit to observe projects aimed at enhancing public spaces through public art and promoting the night-time economy. With development and revitalisation projects underway across many parts of the city, we were able to gain valuable insights into Burwood’s ongoing urban transformation.
    We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at Burwood Council for providing us with this valuable learning opportunity.
     
         
  •  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    ～Grand Prize – ¥500,000～
    SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN for the 15th Annual Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest!
    （Deadline: August 31st）
    ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
    The 15th edition of the Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest is now officially accepting entries – including the special ‘U-15 Youth Manga Artist Prize’ for entrants aged 15 and under. The contest is open to artists worldwide and submissions are accepted in any language!
    This year’s theme is ‘Clothing’.
    Entries will be accepted until Monday August 31st (JST).
    The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of ¥500,000, and selected artists will be invited to Tottori Prefecture for the award ceremony. Winning works will be compiled into a professionally published collection. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious international celebration of comic art – get your entries in before the deadline!
    Website:

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.

  • Newsletter No.201

  • Ehime Prefecture is located along Japan’s Seto Inland Sea and is home to approximately 1.27 million people. It is known for its warm climate and outstanding scenic beauty, along with its long history of citrus cultivation. The prefecture is made up of many islands, with the unique landscape of the Seto Inland Sea spreading throughout. In recent years, Ehime has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, welcoming many domestic and international visitors all year round.

       

    In 2027, Ehime Prefecture will host “Velo-city,” an international bicycle conference, for the first time in Japan. Velo-city is one of the largest academic conferences, bringing bicycle companies, researchers, and experts together from around the world. While discussing various topics including tourism, safety, and urban planning, participants can enjoy the cityscape of Matsuyama through a bicycle parade and will also be able to visit other parts of the prefecture via ‘technical visits’ (explained below).

     

    In recent years, Ehime Prefecture has become one of the leading centers of bicycle culture in Japan. Many local residents begin riding bicycles at a very young age, and the majority of high school students commute to school by bike. Furthermore, the prefecture boasts Japan’s highest helmet-wearing rate, demonstrating strong safety awareness throughout the community. This well-established environment, which allows people of all ages to use bicycles safely on a daily basis, positions Ehime Prefecture as a  center of Japan’s bicycle culture.

    Technical visits are guided tours that allow participants to explore various locations throughout the prefecture during Velo-city, featuring multiple courses with different themes. There is a course to learn about the infrastructure and scenery of the “Shimanami Kaido,” Japan’s representative maritime cycling route; a course to study safety education initiatives in schools by observing Japan’s typical morning school commute; and a course to experience the “Henro,” a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples, by bicycle. By participating in these technical visits and experiencing the local atmosphere, participants can gain valuable insights into the prefecture’s bicycle policies firsthand.

     

    On the second day (Wednesday, 26 May 2027), a spectacular bicycle parade will fill the city center. While showcasing the prefecture’s appeal as an international model bicycle city, the event will provide a chance for all participants to experience and share how bicycles act as a catalyst for regional revitalisation, bringing new possibilities for future urban space allocation, health, a sense of purpose in life, and friendship.

    During the four-day event, approximately 80 plenary breakout sessions will be held at the venue, with discussions centered around key themes and priorities. The conference program content will be determined by selecting proposals submitted during the abstract submission period, which begins in September. To encourage active exchange of diverse perspectives, Ehime welcomes a large number of submissions. Participants are invited to apply and help make this event a success.

  • Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies, hosted by the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW).

    On the day, certificates were presented to seven outstanding students nominated by seven universities[1] in the Greater Sydney region, and each recipient delivered a speech.

    All of the award recipients shared reflections along similar lines, such as: “Thanks to studying Japanese, I’ve had incredible experiences, like studying at a Japanese university through an exchange program and making friends from diverse backgrounds, that have truly changed my life.” Another common sentiment was: “Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a career related to Japan or possibly live there in the future, so I will continue to work hard to achieve these goals.”

    Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is by no means an easy task. First and foremost, I would like to express my deep respect to the award recipients for their dedicated commitment to studying Japanese.

    I am also delighted that their language studies have sparked such a strong interest in Japan and a genuine desire to deepen their understanding. I was deeply impressed by their determination to maintain a connection with Japan long after graduation.

    On a personal note, I moved to Sydney last July, my first time living abroad, and I must admit that I still find speaking English challenging at times. However, seeing the dedication of the award recipients has inspired me to renew my own efforts. By conversing and connecting with others in English, I hope to further deepen my understanding of the local people, culture, and values in this region.

    [1] The seven universities were Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), The University of New South Wales (UNSW), The University of Sydney, and Western Sydney University.

  •  On Thursday, 21 May, representatives from Yamagata City, who came to Australia to exhibit at the Snow Travel Expo held in Melbourne and Sydney, paid a visit to CLAIR Sydney Office.
    During their visit, we outlined the role of our office and provided an overview of Australia’s society and economy, as well as the current state of inbound tourism to Japan.
     
    This led to an engaging discussion on the differences in industry structure between Japan and Australia and recent trends in inbound tourism.
     
     
     
    CLAIR Sydney also supports a wide range of initiatives undertaken by Japanese local governments in Australia and New Zealand. If you require assistance with your activities, please feel free to contact us.
     
     
  •  On 24 May, the Japan Festival 2026 was held in the City of Whitehorse, located approximately 15 km east of Melbourne.
    Around 100 booths and stalls lined the venue, offering Japanese goods and crafts as well as Japanese cuisine such as sushi and okonomiyaki. Visitors could also enjoy cultural activities including origami and shogi (Japanese chess). There were also a variety of stage performances, including taiko drumming, the Soran Bushi folk dance, and Tsugaru shamisen music, as well as kimono and cosplay contests. According to the organisers, the festival attracted approximately 5,500 visitors.
     
     
     
    CLAIR Sydney also hosted a booth, promoting the attractions of regions across Japan through tourism brochures and other materials. Among the visitors to our booth were people planning cruise trips to Japan, as well as others who said they had visited the country more than ten times, reflecting the enduring appeal of Japan as a travel destination. We also spoke to visitors who had started learning Japanese after their travels and were hoping to move there in the future, highlighting a strong interest in Japanese culture and way of life.
     
     
     
    This year marks the 55th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between the City of Whitehorse and Matsudo City in Chiba Prefecture. It is the longest-running Japan–Australia sister-city relationship in the state of Victoria. As part of the exchange program, the venue also displayed letters with hand-drawn illustrations created by residents of Matsudo , offering visitors a glimpse into the strong bond between the two cities.
     
  • On Tuesday, 12 May, the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW) held an awards ceremony to recognise outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies. Certificates were presented to seven students, each nominated by a university across the Sydney metropolitan area.
     
     
    Following the presentation ceremony, each award recipient delivered a speech, some in Japanese, reflecting on what inspired them to begin studying the language, its appeal, , the challenges they encountered during their studies, and their future aspirations. Their stories varied widely, ranging from students who began learning the language with the dream of working for a Japanese game company to those whose exchange experiences at Japanese universities enabled them to build friendships with people from around the world.
     
    Many of the students reflected on how learning Japanese had expanded their horizons and future possibilities and expressed their hope to continue taking on new challenges connected to Japan, including working or living there in the future.
    Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is never easy. We were deeply moved by the speeches of these students, who spoke passionately about maintaining their connection with Japan even after graduation.
     
    CLAIR Sydney will continue to work closely with Japanese language education institutions and related organisations, further strengthening people-to-people exchanges through Japanese language and culture, and contributing to the ongoing development of Japan-Australia relations.

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.