Ajigasawa Candle Night 2017

Ajigasawa Candle Night 2017 あじがさわキャンドルナイト

Enjoy the beauty of winter night candle light and illuminations!

Date: February 11-12, 2017
Time: 17:00-20:00
Location: Ajigasawa Station Plaza 鰺ヶ沢駅前広場 (map)
Admission: Free

Dazai Museum Tsugaru Festival Snow and Light Pageant 2017

Dazai Museum Tsugaru Festival Snow and Light Pageant 2017
太宰ミュージアム津軽まつり　雪と光のページェント 2016 
(Dazai Museum Tsugaru Matsuri Yuki to Hikari no Pageant)

Enjoy the winter outdoors with evening illuminations & fireworks, a snow sports festival, stage events, and more!

Date: February 2-12, 2017
Time: 17:00-20:30
Location: Ashino Park, Goshogawara City 五所川原市 金木町の県立芦野公園 (map)
Admission: Free

Yokohama Nanohana Marathon 2017

Yokohama Nanohana Marathon 2017 菜の花マラソン大会
Website (Japanese): Currently Under Construction

The 27th annual "marathon" (10km, 5km, 3km, and 2km courses only) is part of the Canola Festival in Yokohama Town.

Date: Sunday May 21, 2017
Time: 10:15～ (Registration: 8:20-9:20)
Location: Mameda Special Event Site (大豆田特設会場) (map)
Registration Deadline: Friday March 25, 2016
Divisions: 10km; 5km; 3km; 2km
Entry Fees: (includes special sports towel)

• 2500yen High School Aged Students & Older
• 1000yen Junior High School Aged Students & Younger

Canola Festival in Yokohama Town 2017

Canola Festival in Yokohama Town 2017
2017 菜の花フェスティバルinよこはま (Nanohana Festival in Yokohama)

An event featuring a giant maze of golden canola fields, various canola-based and other local foods, stage shows, and more.

Date: May 20-21, 2017
Location: Mameda Special Event Site (大豆田特設会場) (map)
Admission: Free (fees may apply for some events)

Pocky x Lover's Sanctuary Special Valentine 2017

Pocky x Lover's Sanctuary Special Valentine 2017
Pocky x 恋人の聖地 スペシャルバレンタイン2017

Visit select Lover's Sanctuary and Satellite locations to receive a free Pocky present! (While supplies last.)

(Left: Lover's Sanctuary Special Pocky; Right: Pocky "Shooter" Balloon)

Date: February 1-14*, 2017 (*while supplies last)
Admission: Free
Location: Various
   Aomori Locations:
   ・Tachi Neputa no Yakata, Goshogawara City (map)
   ・Notre Dame Hachinohe (map)
(See full list of participating Lover's Sanctuary & Satellite locations here (in Japanese).)

Pocky x Lover's Sanctuary Valentine Photo Contest 2017

Pocky x Lover's Sanctuary Valentine Photo Contest 2017
Pocky x 恋人の聖地バレンタインフォトコンテスト2017

Take a "lovey-dovey couple photo"* at one of 230 designated "Lover's Sanctuary" & "Satellite" locations and enter for a chance to win various prizes!
(*"Couple photo" must be of two people, but does not have to be a romantic couple--can be two friends, family members, etc.)

Contest Details
Contest Website (Japanese): http://www.seichi.net/photocon2017/photocon02.php

• Contest Judges:
  ・IMALU, singer/model/talent
  ・Yumi Katsura, bridal fashion designer
  ・Shogo Kariyazaki, floral designer
  ・& Others
• Contest Awards & Prizes
  
  • Pocky Prizes:
    ・Hotel Grèges Suite Room Pair Voucher
    ・Tokyo Bay Cruising Symphony Pair Dinner Cruise
  • Kobe-Awaji-Naruto-Expressway Service Area Special Prize: TBA
  • Lover's Sanctuary Prizes: Various Hotel Pair Vouchers; Food & Travel Vouchers; Etc.

Ominato Northern Garrison Post Winter Fest 2017

Ominato Northern Garrison Post Winter Fest 2017
北の防人大湊ふゆフェス２０１７ (Kita no Sakimori Oominato Fuyu Fes)

A festival featuring various performances, food, and activities around the Ominato area in Mutsu City!

Date: Saturday February 4, 2017
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Ominato Area (Mutsu City)
・Andokan 北の防人大湊　安渡館 (map)
・Midori no Sakimori-kan みどりのさきもり館 (map
・Nibankan 弐番館 (map)
・Hokuyoukan 北洋館 (map)
・Suigenchi Park 市水源池公園 (map)水源池公園
Admission: Free

Towada Traditional Performing Arts Festival 2017

Towada Traditional Performing Arts Festival 2017
第27回十和田伝統芸能まつり (Towada Dentou Geinou Matsuri)

Watch performances of various local traditional performing arts. Stay until the end for a prize drawing!

Date: Sunday February 12, 2017
Time: 12:00-16:00 (Doors open at 11:00)
Location: Towada Bunka Center 十和田市民文化センター(map)
Admission: Free

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2017

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2017
弘前さくらまつり2017 (Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri)
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.hirosakipark.jp/sakura/

Hirosaki Park is of Japan's most beautiful spots for cherry blossom viewing!

(Page will be updated as more information becomes available)

Date: April 22 - May 7, 2017
Location: Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) (map)
Admission: Free and Paid Zones

Itayanagi Snow Festival 2017

"Apple Country" Itayanagi Snow Festival 2017
第30回りんごの里いたやなぎ　雪まつり (Ringo no Sato Itayanagi Yuki Matsuri)

Winter festival fun for the whole family!

Date: Saturday, February 11, 2016
Time: 9:00-14:00
Location: Itayanagi Town Furusato Center Event Plaza
板柳町ふるさとセンターイベント広場 (map)

Aspam Winter Festival 2017

Aspam Winter Festival 2017
2016 アスパム冬まつり (Aspam Fuyu Matsuri)

Enjoy various local foods, crafts, and activities!

Niogataki Waterfall Ice Festival 2017

Niogataki Waterfall Ice Festival 2017
乳穂ヶ滝氷祭 (Niogakati Koori Matsuri)

The 33m Niogataka Waterfall has frozen over in the winter since the olden days. The size and shape of the frozen falls is said to reflect whether the year's harvest will be rich or poor. The festival features Shinto prayers and ritual divinations, live performances, and more.

*Depending on weather conditions, the falls might not be frozen, so please check/inquire ahead of time if necessary.*

(Photo Source: aptinet)

Date: Sunday February 19, 2017
Time: 11:00-14:00
Location: Niogataki Waterfall 乳穂ヶ滝 (map)
Admission: Free

Nanbu Area Enburi Photo Contest 2017

Nanbu Area Enburi Photo Contest 2017
南部地方えんぶり「写真コンテスト」 (Nanbu-chiho Enburi Shashin Contest)

A photo contest for the purposes of documenting and preserving Nanbu Area Enburi.

(Photo Source: Kenyoshi Shoutenkai Website)

Contest Details:
Full Contest Information PDF File: Japanese

• Contest Awards & Prizes
  
  • Special Prize (1): 10,000yen value prize
  • Selection Prize (6): 5000yen value prize

Mid-Winter Festival in Cherius 2017

Mid-Winter Festival in Cherius 2017
極寒祭 in チェリウス (Gokkansai in Cherius)

Enjoy Nanbu Enburi, original nabe stews, craft making, parfait & pizza making, various outdoor activities, and more!

Date: February 11-12, 2017
Time: February 6: 13:30-20:00, February 7: 10:00-14:00
Location: Nanbu Town Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Industries Training Institute Cherius
南部町農林漁業体験実習館チェリウス (map)
Admission: Free (select paid events)

Nanbu Area Enburi 2017

Nanbu Area Enburi 2017
南部地方えんぶり (Nanbu-chiho Enburi)

"Enburi" is a Nanbu area local traditional festival that was designated a national "Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset" in 1979. Groups of dancers and musicians parade through the city performing dances that represent wishes for a good harvest.

Date: February 11-12, 2017
Time: 9:00～
Location: Nanbu Town, Various
Admission: Free

Shimokita Children's Traditional Performing Arts Performance 2017

Shimokita Children's Traditional Performing Arts Performance 2017
第32回下北地区子ども会　郷土芸能発表会 
(Shimokita Chiku Kodomo-kai Kyoudo Geinou Happyoukai)

An event featuring local traditional performing arts from around Shimokita, performed by children.

Date: Sunday February 5, 2017
Time: 13:00～
Location: Shimokita Bunka Kaikan (Mutsu City) 下北文化会館 (map)
Admission: Free

Hirosaki Apple Park Winter Festival 2017

Hirosaki Apple Park Winter Festival 2017
弘前りんご公園ウィンターフェスティバル2017 (Hirosaki Ringo Kouen Winter Festival)

Chase away the winter blues and cabin fever with a fun-filled day of various indoor and outdoor events at Hirosaki Apple Park!

Date: January 28-29, 2017
Time: 10:00-15:00 Location: Hirosaki Apple Park 弘前りんご公園 (map)
Admission: Free

Hachinohe Bouillabaisse Festa 2017

Hachinohe Bouillabaisse Festa 2017　八戸ブイヤベースフェスタ
Event Website (Japanese): http://www.hhrp.jp/hbb/

Enjoy special bouillabaisse at various restaurants around Hachinohe during this event.

Date: February 1-March 31, 2017
Hours: Varies
Location: Various restaurants around Hachinohe
Cost: 1000-4000yen
Hachinohe Bouillabaisse Rules:

1. Hachinohe Seafood! Must use at least 4 types of Hachinohe-caught seafood. Local herbs and vegetables should also be used as much as possible.
2. Twice the Deliciousness! Participating restaurants must provide an extra something so that the bouillabaisse can be enjoyed twice--first just the soup as is, then with the "extra."

Hirosaki Bar-Gai 2017 Vol 12

Hirosaki Bar-Gai 2017 Vol 12　弘前バル街

Enjoy exploring various Hirosaki bars, etc. at a reasonable price!

Date: Saturday, February 4, 2017
Time: 14:00-24:00
Location: Various (Hirosaki City, Aomori)

Hachinohe Folk Performing Arts Night 2017

Hachinohe Folk Performing Arts Night 2017
第39回 民俗芸能の夕べ (Minzoku Geinou Yuube)

Enjoy traditional folk performing art performances that reflect prayers for the new year, good harvests, and abundant fishing.

Date: Saturday January 22, 2017
Time: 14:00-16:30 (Doors Open 13:30)
Location: Hachinohe Kokaido Bunka Hall 八戸市公会堂文化ホール (map)
Admission: Free

Kuroishi Jankara Yoi Yoi Sake Festival 2017

Kuroishi Jankara Yoi Yoi Sake Festival 2017
第11回　黒石じゃんから宵酔酒まつり (Kuroishi Jankara Yoi Yoi Sake Matsuri)

Visit designated local drinking establishments in the assigned order and enjoy one drink (choice of beer, shochu, sake, whiskey, or non-alcoholic drink) and complimentary snack/appetizer at each location to complete your stamp card for entry to a prize drawing!

Date: Saturday, February 18, 2017
Time: 

• Registration: 17:30-18:45
• Start: 18:30
• Prize Drawing: 19:15-20:45 (drawn in completion order)

Registration:& Prize Drawing Location: Kuroishi Sangyou Kaikan 1st Floor Lobby
黒石市産業会館１階ロビー (map)
Festival Location: Yosare Yokocho Area よされ横丁界隈 (map)
Fee: 3000yen (advance ticket purchase required, sales start late January)

Shimokita Winter Festival 2017

Shimokita Winter Festival 2017
第２１回しもきた冬まつり (Shimokita Fuyu Matsuri)

A festival where you can enjoy the delicious winter foods of Shimokita!

Date: Friday February 10, 2017
Time: 18:00-19:30
Location: Mutsu Shimokita Kanko Sanbutsu Kan (Masakari Plaza) Event Plaza
むつ下北観光物産館（まさかりプラザ）イベント広場 (map)
Admission: Advance Tickets: 3000yen (Assigned Seating)

Sawada Candle Festival 2017

Sawada Candle Festival 2017
沢田ろうそくまつり (Sawada Rousoku Matsuri)

A festival with over 450 years of history. Candles are lit on the eve of Koshougatsu (小正月 - January 15 of the old lunar calendar) and the following day the candle drippings are used to predict fortunes for the new year (harvest &etc.)

Date: Saturday February 11, 2017
Time: 18:00-21:00
Location: Sawada Jinmeiguu Shrine "Iwayadou" 沢田神明宮「岩谷堂」(map)
Admission: Free

Winter Nishimeya Photo Contest 2017

Winter Nishimeya Photo Contest 2017
冬のにしめや写真コンテスト２０１７ (Fuyu no Nishimeya Shashin Contest)

A contest to showcase the winter scenery, people, food, and events of Nishimeya.

Hosono Aizawa Winter Story 2017

Hosono Aizawa Winter Story 2017
第14回　細野相沢冬物語 (Hosono Aizawa Fuyu Monogatari)

Enjoy homemade local cuisine, snow lanterns, winter fireworks and more! (Caution: Dress warmly as the event is held outdoors)

Date: Saturday February 4, 2017
Time: 18:00-19:45 (17:30～Registration)
Location: Aomori City Namioka "Hosono Yama no Ie" 青森市浪岡「細野山の家」(map)
Admission: (Includes: Food (9) & Drink (2) tickets)
  Advance: Adult: 2500yen; Elementary/Junior High School Student: 500yen
  At-Door: Adult: 3000yen; Elementary/Junior High School Student: 500yen