MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The month of February includes 6 local and regional events offering attendees opportunities to continue building partnerships among their Japanese neighbors.
Setsubun “The day before a change in seasons”
Date: Sunday, 3 February, 2019
Japanese locals celebrate Setsubun on February 3, the day before the beginning of spring. Locals open their doors and scatter soy-beans (or peanuts) twice outside while saying “Oni wa Soto” (Demons get out). Then they close their doors and throw soy-beans twice inside their house while saying “Fuku wa uchi” (Fortune in).
Misawa City Indoor Heated Pool
Date: Open every day except Mondays. 10 A.M. – 9 P.M.
If a Japanese holiday falls on a Monday, then the pool opens that Monday, but close the following day.
Location: Tozaki, Misawa City (GPS: 40.745899, 141.383176)
Free admission for grades Junior high and below, every Saturday, until 5 P.M.
Everyone is required to wear a swimming cap in the pool areas. Children who are in the 3rd grade and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Lake Towada Winter Story Festival
Date: Friday, 1 to Sunday, 24 February, 2019,
Weekdays: 3-9 P.M. , Weekend and Holidays: 11 A.M. – 9 P.M.
Location: Yasumiya area of Towada Lakeside (GPS: 40.428804, 140.895908)
The event features wonderful snow sculptures, huge snow slides, banana boat rides, stage events and fireworks at 8 P.M. every night.
Hachinohe Enburi
Date: Sunday, 17 - Wednesday, 20 February, 2019
Location: Various Locations in Hachinohe city
During the Festival, locals pray for a good harvest. The event features Northern Japanese cultural dancing in beautiful costumes with Enburi (a traditional farm tool makes flattens the ground). About 30 dancing teams perform around Hachinohe City for four days. There are more details on their website below.
https://hachinohe-kanko.com/english/10stories/hachinohe-enburi/enburi_schedule
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Date: Friday, 8 - Monday, 11 February, 9 A.M. – 9 P.M.
Opening Ceremony: Friday, 8 February, 10 A.M.
Snow Statue Light up: 4:30 – 9:00 P.M.
Location: Hirosaki Castle Park (GPS: 40.607475, 140.464153)
Enjoy the gorgeous display of 150 snow lanterns, 300 miniature igloos, children’s playground and fireworks on Saturday, 9 February, from 7 P.M
Arts Towada Winter Illumination 2018
Date: Now – Sunday, 24 Feb, 2019, 4:30 – 9:00 P.M.
Location: Art Park on Koma Kaido (front of the Towada Art Museum) (GPS: 40.614227, 141.209121)
Enjoy a magical world of fantasy art, illuminated with more than 300,000 blue LED lights!