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Complete Guide to the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival 2025: Dates, Highlights, and More!

Every February, the preserved Edo-period town of Ouchi-juku steps back in time as hundreds of snow lanterns illuminate its thatched-roof houses in a scene unchanged for centuries. The Ouchi-juku Snow Festival brings this historic village to life with traditional performances, local cuisine, and nighttime illuminations that transform its rustic streets with a fiery glow. Whether you’re warming up with local soba noodles, watching traditional performing arts, or simply wandering the lantern-lit streets, this festival offers a rare glimpse into one of Japan's most popular festivals in an authentic historical setting.

Event

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival

Dates

February 8–9, 2025

Location

Ouchi-juku, Shimogo, Fukushima Prefecture

Entrance fee

Free

 

Getting to the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival

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Reaching this historic town requires some planning, but the journey is part of the experience. The nearest train station to Ouchi-juku is Yunokamionsen Station on the Aizu Tetsudo Line.

From Tokyo Station, take the Joban Line to Kitasenju Station, then transfer to the Tobu Rail Express towards Aizu-Tajima Station. From there, board the Aizu Tetsudo Line and stop at Yunokamionsen Station. Then, it’s just a short 15-minute bus ride to Ouchi-juku. The entire trip will take about five hours, so you must leave early and book accommodations in advance.

 

Brief history and cultural significance

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Ouchi-juku, a former post station along the Aizu-Nishi Kaido trade route, is one of Japan’s best-preserved Edo-period towns. With distinctive thatched-roof buildings lining both sides of its main street, the town appears much as it did in the 1600s when it served as a crucial rest stop for travelers making their way between Aizu and Nikko. Unlike many historical districts in Japan, Ouchi-juku’s buildings are not merely preserved as museums; many still function as shops and accommodations, maintaining a living connection to the past.

 The Ouchi-juku Snow Festival, while a relatively modern celebration, pays homage to the town’s rich history by incorporating traditional elements that would have been familiar to travelers centuries ago. The event highlights the town's architectural beauty and the resilient spirit of the local community, which has maintained these traditions through generations.

 

Stunning snow lantern illuminations

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As darkness falls, hundreds of handmade snow lanterns light up along the main street, lit up at dusk by local men dressed in loincloths. This creates a mesmerizing display that highlights the town’s traditional architecture. The warm glow of candles through the snow creates an atmosphere that transports visitors back to the Edo period. This picturesque scene gets even more impressive on Saturday evening when a fireworks display is held, set against the backdrop of the illuminated houses!

 

Games and performances

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The festival weekend buzzes with interactive events and cultural performances that make Ouchi-juku’s winter celebration truly special. At scheduled times throughout the day, local shopkeepers participate in the beloved mochi-throwing tradition. Standing atop the traditional thatched roofs, they shower the crowds below with these sweet rice cakes or other snacks, creating moments of joy and friendly competition among visitors. The festival’s cultural program culminates with a traditional performance that connects modern visitors with centuries of local tradition. 

 

Try the local cuisine

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In Japan, food takes center stage, with Ouchi-juku’s signature dish of negi soba (buckwheat noodles with leek) stealing the spotlight. This dish is local to the region, where visitors eat soba using a whole green onion instead of chopsticks. While it’s challenging to get the hang of it at first, it’s a fun and novel way to try a regional specialty.

 Festival-goers can also warm up in specially constructed snow huts while sampling regional winter delicacies prepared by the locals. No winter festival experience would be complete without a cup of amazake, a sweet, warming fermented rice drink.

 

Essential tips for visitors

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February in Ouchi-juku brings heavy snowfall and temperatures well below freezing, so proper preparation is essential for an enjoyable festival experience. Visitors should dress warmly in winter clothing and snow boots and consider picking up hand and foot warmers from local shops. Some smaller establishments in the town might only accept cash, and accommodation options are limited, so it is wise to carry sufficient cash and secure your lodgings well before the festival date.

 

Where to stay: Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Fudoukan Oyano Yu

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Located in the hot spring town of Ashinomaki Onsen, just a 40-minute drive from Ouchi-juku, Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Fudoukan Oyano Yu offers visitors a luxurious retreat after a day at the festival. This elegant ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) sits along the scenic Okawa River, where the rooms feature panoramic views of the snow-covered riverside landscape and surrounding mountains. The rooms have plush futons, separate seating and sleeping areas, and private en-suite facilities, all appointed with thoughtful amenities for a restful stay.

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The ryokan’s highlight is its collection of natural hot spring baths, including a spectacular outdoor bath that appears to float above the river. Dinner showcases the best of Aizu’s winter cuisine using seasonal ingredients.

 

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