A day of cod soup and lights in wintertime Sai Village, with hopes for a good catch
Alsus Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Winter
- Location
- Tsugaru Strait Cultural Center Alsus
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Sai Village(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h–3 h 30 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Alsus Festival brings together Sai Village’s winter flavors and local events. Enjoy cod soup, stage events, and an illumination lighting ceremony at the Tsugaru Strait Cultural Center Alsus.
About Alsus Festival
The Alsus Festival is a one-day event at the Tsugaru Strait Cultural Center Alsus in Sai Village, Aomori Prefecture, where you can enjoy winter delicacies and local festivities.
You can savor the signature cod soup while wishing for a good catch and the growth of the local community.
Stage events and an illumination lighting ceremony are also held, making this an event where you can enjoy food, socializing, and the lights of a winter port town all together.
Festival highlights
Highlights include cod soup, presented as a local specialty of Sai Village, and the stage events held at the venue.
The program features activities such as a comedy show, a rock-paper-scissors tournament, and mochi throwing, offering more than just watching—you can enjoy the sense of togetherness at the venue.
In the evening, an illumination lighting ceremony is held, and you can enjoy the lights that brighten the winter port town.
A day of cod soup and lights in wintertime Sai Village, with hopes for a good catch
What to expect
At the venue, you can enjoy winter delicacies such as cod soup while watching stage events.
Listed activities include a comedy show, a rock-paper-scissors tournament, and mochi throwing.
An illumination lighting ceremony is held around dusk, letting you spend time in a way that captures the feel of winter in Sai Village while enjoying food and festivities.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tsugaru Strait Cultural Center Alsus (112 Osai, Sai, Sai Village, Shimokita District, Aomori Prefecture)
- Train and bus
Head toward Sai Village from JR Shimokita Station.
Take the Shimokita Kotsu Sai Line bus from Mutsu Bus Terminal for about 2 hours and 18 minutes, get off at “Sai,” then walk about 2 minutes.
- By car
It is about 90 minutes from JR Shimokita Station.
The nearest station to Sai Village is JR Shimokita Station. One guide also says that Sai Village is about 1 hour and 10 minutes away by car.
- Parking
Available.
Parking at Alsus is free.
Source: 津軽海峡文化館アルサスへのアクセス
Address 112 Osai, Sai, Sai Village, Shimokita District, Aomori Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Winter
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Aomori Prefecture / Sai Village (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As this is a winter event, wear clothing suited to the season and be mindful of road conditions when heading to the venue.
It is reported that many roads around Sai Village are closed in winter, and that traffic restrictions are also common during the winter season.
If traveling by car, check road information before setting out and plan your trip accordingly.
Source: 佐井村へのアクセス | 青森県佐井村を旅しよう！／佐井村観光協会
Nearby attractions
The local guide lists nearby spots such as Sai Village Strait Museum and the birthplace of Gontaro Mikami.
Tsugaru Strait Cultural Center Arusas is also listed as a nearby spot, offering a place to experience Sai Village’s culture alongside the festival.
Please check each facility’s operating status and visiting requirements before your trip.
Official information
You can check the event details on the Alsus Festival page of the Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information website and the event guide on the official Sai Village website.
The Alsus Revitalization Council is listed as the contact organization.
Alsus Festival at a Glance
The Alsus Festival is an event where you can enjoy Sai Village’s winter delicacies and stage events while wishing for a good catch and the growth of the local community.
Highlights include cod soup, a comedy show, a rock-paper-scissors tournament, mochi throwing, and the illumination lighting ceremony.
The venue is the Tsugaru Strait Cultural Center Alsus. It is a good idea to check road conditions in winter before visiting.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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