Tsunan Snow Festival

This festival heralds the arrival of warm spring in Tsunan Town, which is covered with more than
3 meters of snow

.

Straight jump competition by snowboarders 「SNOWWAVE」,Traditional events such as “Doroku Kamiyaki” to pray for
village prosperity and family safety, “Tengu” and Kamakura, and various other events are held.
At night, “sky
lanterns” are launched to color the night sky over the snowfield.

What is a lantern?

Lanterns launched during Thai and Chinese festivals are a type of hot-air balloon, also known as a Kom Loy or Tiantang.

Its origin dates back to 770 years ago, and it is said to have been used as a means of communication at that time.

Tsunan Town began launching the lanterns on February 15, 2012, as a symbol of the town’s restoration from the earthquake in northern Nagano Prefecture and the Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as for the repose of the souls of the dead.

The number of lanterns has increased over the years, and
more than 2,000 lanterns
have been hoisted to date.Today, the festival is well received by many people as a winter event in Tsunan Town, where each person’s wishes and thoughts are launched.

What is “sainokami” ?

A heartwood is placed in the center of the tree, and wood or bamboo to which straw has been tied is placed so that it forms a cone, which is then tied with a rope.
Old omochidana, votive tablets, talismans, shimenawa (sacred straw ropes), pine decorations, etc. are inserted into the opening and the resulting object is called a “sainokami”.

Schedule

• sky lantern
• SNOWWAVE
• 　snow lantern
• mid-January festival in northern Japan, with snow huts in which children play house　
• skyrocket (firework)　
• street stall

　

• other