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Yokote Bonden Festival 横手の梵天

Checked October 2026 · next check January 2027 · 1 post since 2010

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Visiting Yokote Bonden Festival today

  • What it is: Neighbourhood and company teams carry bonden, decorated staves up to 5 m high and about 30 kg, to Asahiokayama Shrine to pray for a safe and prosperous year. The custom dates from 1845.
  • Best time: A bonden contest is held at 9:30 on 16 February in front of Yokote City Hall. On 17 February from 10:00 the bonden are paraded about 3.5 km to the shrine and pushed through its crowded gates.
  • Getting there: The city hall square is about 10 minutes on foot from JR Yokote Station. For the shrine, take a bus from Yokote Station to Ozawa (about 15 minutes).
  • Tip: The bonden offering on 17 February marks the end of Yokote's winter festival, which also includes the kamakura snow houses.
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Contest on 16 February, shrine offering on 17 February

Checked against: Yokote's Traditional Bonden Procession (Yokote City) · Yokote's Winter Festival (Yokote City) · 横手の梵天 (旅行読売 tabi-mag) · Asahiokayama Bonden (Stay Akita). Check opening times and prices before you go.

Yokote Bonden Festival on Shibuya246

Photos and stories from our visits, as they were written at the time.

Photos

Bonden Festival, Akita

The Bonden Festival is held in various parts of Akita-ken. I attended this one in Yokote City. A Bonden represents a mythical marker point for the gods to descend to our world. The Bonden is carried through the streets and holds with it the prayers of the business and community for a prosperous year.