Yokote, Akita

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Yokote (横手市; -shi) is a city located in Akita in Tohoku region of Japan.

As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 106,540 and the density of 153.61 persons per km². The total area is 693.59 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 merged into the city.

[edit] Kamakura Festival

Yokote is well 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 (late February) and it's location is focused around the city hall area. Children and others stay 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. Event is from about 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

An altar for the water deity is carved into the rear of the room inside the Kamakura, and here people pray for abundant harvests, the safety of their family members, protection against fire and academic success. In addition to the large igloos, there are mini-kamakura which are spread throughout the town. Inside of the tiny snow domes are candles. Some of the regular kamakuras and the mini-kamakuras are endorsed by local business and can sometimes look like a 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 10ºC which are open to all visitors.